Board requirements · CBUAE
Central Bank (CBUAE) board requirements
What CBUAE expects of a company's board: how often it meets, who sits on it, what it must discuss, which committees and positions it needs. Rules last checked 1 July 2026, against the CBUAE Governance Standards (Gov. Standards).
6
Board meetings a year (minimum)
3
Independent directors (minimum)
10
Mandatory agenda topics
Yes
Compliance officer required
Quorum and board composition
Quorum. Two-thirds majority; majority must be non-executive; Governance Standards Art. 8
Mandatory agenda topics (10)
Topics the board must cover, and how often. A topic covered earlier in its period does not need repeating until the next period.
| Topic | How often | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance Status Review | Every meeting | CBUAE Gov s.15 |
| AML/CFT Report | Each quarter | CBUAE Gov s.18 |
| Risk Appetite & ICAAP Review | Each half-year | CBUAE Gov s.22 |
| Credit Portfolio Review | Each quarter | CBUAE Gov s.24 |
| Capital Adequacy Review (CAR) | Each quarter | CBUAE CAR s.3 |
| Internal Audit Report | Each quarter | CBUAE Gov s.30 |
| Related Party Transactions | Every meeting | CBUAE Gov s.35 |
| Financial Statements Review | Each half-year | CBUAE Gov s.40 |
| Remuneration & HR Committee Report | Once a year | CBUAE Gov s.45 |
| Chief Compliance Officer Review | Once a year | CBUAE Gov s.16 |
Recommended topics (1)
Good practice under this rule set rather than a strict requirement.
| Topic | How often | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Whistleblower / Grievance Report | Each half-year | CBUAE Gov s.50 |
Board committees
| Committee | Required? | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Audit Committee | Required | CBUAE Gov. Standards |
| Risk Committee | Required | CBUAE Gov. Standards |
| Remuneration Committee | Recognised, not required | CBUAE Gov. Standards |
Board and key positions
Positions the rule set names. Mandatory positions must be filled, and for regulated firms usually approved by the regulator, before the role is taken up.
| Position | Required? | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Board of Directors | Required | CBUAE Gov. Standards Art. 8 |
| Chairman | Required | CBUAE Gov. Standards |
| Independent Director | Required | CBUAE Gov. Standards Art. 8 |
| Chief Executive Officer | Required | CBUAE Gov. Standards |
| Chief Financial Officer | Required | CBUAE Gov. Standards |
| Chief Risk Officer | Required | CBUAE Gov. Standards |
| Chief Compliance Officer | Required | CBUAE Gov s.16 |
| MLRO | Required | CBUAE AML Rules |
| Head of Internal Audit | Required | CBUAE Gov s.30 |
Check your own board against these rules
Govern applies this rule set to your meetings: which topics are still open this year, and whether your minutes cover them. Bring a transcript or notes and it writes the minutes, with every gap marked.
Try GovernA summary for orientation, not legal advice. References link to the rule or to Arakan Lexara, where the full text can be searched. Source: CBUAE Governance Standards. Other regulators: DFSA · ADGM · VARA · Mainland