BOK International Bank Review
The UAE’s Only Wholesale Islamic Trade-Finance Bank?
Editor’s Verdict for BOK International
BOK International (BOKI UAE) is not a typical retail bank – it is a wholesale, Shariah-compliant institution built for corporates, financial institutions and trade. Established in May 2017 as the UAE arm of the Bank of Khartoum Group, it was the only foreign bank granted a full-service commercial banking license by the Central Bank of the UAE in the preceding decade. Rather than chasing personal customers, it concentrates on trade finance, treasury, correspondent banking, syndicated lending and corporate deposits, with a particular role in facilitating trade between the UAE, the wider GCC and Sudan. If you are a business needing letters of credit, guarantees or cross-border settlement under Islamic principles, this is a specialist worth knowing. If you want a salary account, credit card or a branch on every corner, this is not the bank for you.
✓ Best For
- Corporates and SMEs needing Shariah-compliant trade finance (letters of credit, guarantees, collections)
- Businesses trading between the UAE, GCC and Sudan or the wider East-African corridor
- Financial institutions seeking correspondent banking and treasury relationships
- Companies wanting corporate current accounts with cash-management solutions under Islamic finance principles
✗ Not Ideal For
- Individual expats looking for a personal salary account or a debit card
- Anyone seeking consumer credit cards, personal loans or mortgages
- Customers who need a wide branch and ATM network across the UAE
Quick Facts
| Bank Type | Wholesale / Corporate / Shariah-compliant Islamic Bank |
|---|---|
| Founded | May 2017 (UAE arm of Bank of Khartoum Group; group heritage since 1913) |
| Headquarters | Al Sahel Tower, Zayed the First St., Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Office Network | Registered office in Abu Dhabi (single full-service office) |
| Core Services | Trade finance, treasury, correspondent banking, syndicated lending, corporate deposits |
| Online Banking | BOK International Corporate Online Banking |
| Languages Supported | English, Arabic |
| SWIFT/BIC Code | BOKMAEADXXX |
| Regulator | Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) |
📄 Trade Finance Services
📍 Contact & Office
BOK International Pros & Cons
✓ Pros
- Trade-finance specialist
A full toolkit of letters of credit, guarantees and collections aligned with international standards - Shariah-compliant
All products structured under Islamic finance principles for businesses that require them - UAE-GCC-Sudan corridor
A rare, purpose-built channel for trade into Sudan and East Africa - Correspondent banking network
Established relationships supporting cross-border settlement and treasury - Corporate current accounts
Cash-management solutions with no minimum balance on the corporate current account
✗ Cons
- No retail banking
No personal salary accounts, debit/credit cards or consumer loans - Single office
Only one registered office in Abu Dhabi; no branch or ATM network - Wholesale focus
Products are aimed at corporates and institutions, not individuals - Limited digital scope
Online banking covers core corporate functions rather than a full app ecosystem - Niche footprint
Not designed for everyday UAE consumer banking needs
BOK International Popular Products
Corporate Current Account
Most Popular
Who it’s for: Companies and institutions needing a Shariah-compliant operating account in the UAE.
The corporate current account comes with no minimum average balance requirement and no monthly fee, paired with a range of cash-management solutions. Businesses get access to cash pickup and drop services, collection of postdated cheques, standing instructions and various local and international transfer options, all delivered under Islamic banking principles.
Trade Finance (LCs & Guarantees)
Flagship Service
Who it’s for: Importers, exporters and contractors trading locally and across borders.
BOK International’s trade-finance suite is its core strength. It covers Letters of Guarantee (tender, performance, advance payment, retention, standby and shipping), Outward Letters of Credit for imports (sight, usance, transferable, back-to-back and revolving), Inward Letters of Credit for exports, and both inward and outward Bills for Collection under D/P and D/A terms. Every instrument is issued in line with Sharia principles and prevailing international rules, backed by dedicated trade, treasury and corporate financing teams.
Treasury & Correspondent Banking
For Institutions
Who it’s for: Financial institutions and large corporates managing FX, liquidity and cross-border flows.
BOK International offers treasury services alongside a correspondent-banking network that supports foreign exchange, deposits and syndicated lending. As the UAE arm of the Bank of Khartoum Group, it positions itself as a financial intermediary for trade between the UAE, the wider GCC and Sudan, giving institutions a specialist route for settlement in markets that mainstream banks cover less directly.
BOK International Fees & Charges
As a wholesale bank, BOK International prices most services on a corporate, transaction-by-transaction basis rather than through published retail tariffs. The points below reflect what is confirmed publicly; always request the current Schedule of Charges directly from the bank before committing.
Digital Experience
Corporate Online Banking
The digital offering is focused on corporate needs rather than a consumer mobile app. BOK International provides a secure online banking interface available seven days a week, letting registered users manage their accounts remotely.
What works well: Core corporate functions are covered – balance enquiry, statement enquiry and download, single-currency in-house transfers between customer accounts, local UAE bank payments (FTS transactions) and chequebook requests. To activate the service, businesses call 02-3041719, and registered users log in through the corporate web portal.
What to keep in mind: There is no consumer-style mobile app with cards, remittances or lifestyle features. The platform is built for corporate treasurers and finance teams handling routine business transactions, so individuals will not find retail functionality here.
Online Banking Access
Registered corporate users access the platform at the bank’s corporate web portal. Onboarding is handled through the bank’s corporate-banking team, with support available for setup and registration.
BOK International Contact Information & Support
Customer Service
Main Line
Online Banking Activation
Fax
General Enquiries
Complaints & Fraud
HR / Careers
Privacy & Data Protection
Registered Office
Al Sahel Tower, Zayed the First St., W9 – C5B
Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi, UAE
P.O. Box 42253
Quick Actions
BOK International SWIFT / BIC Code
BOK International operates under a single SWIFT/BIC code, used for all incoming and outgoing international wire transfers. The code ending in XXX refers to the bank’s head office in Abu Dhabi. Use it together with the recipient’s IBAN when sending money to a BOK International account.
| SWIFT Code | Branch / Department | Emirate | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOKMAEAD | Head Office | Abu Dhabi | Al Sahel Tower, Building 438, Zayed the First St., Al Khalidiya |
If you’re not sure what this means, see what is a SWIFT code. To browse every bank, open the full UAE SWIFT code table, or check this SWIFT code.
BOK International Office Network
BOK International is a wholesale bank with a single registered full-service office in the UAE, located in Abu Dhabi. It does not operate a retail branch or ATM network. The office details below are taken from the bank’s official website.
Abu Dhabi
| Branch | Address |
|---|---|
| Registered Office (Head Office) | Al Sahel Tower, Building 438, Zayed the First St., W9 – C5B, Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 42253 |
Note: Third-party business directories (e.g. HiDubai, 2GIS) also list a BOK International office in Dubai at Al Moosa Tower 1, Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre 1. This location is not confirmed on the bank’s official website, so it is noted here for reference only and should be verified directly with the bank before visiting.
Information may change – verify current terms on the official BOK International website before making financial decisions. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
FAQ – BOK International Bank
What type of bank is BOK International in the UAE?
BOK International (BOKI UAE) is a wholesale, Shariah-compliant Islamic bank established in May 2017 as the UAE arm of the Bank of Khartoum Group. It focuses on corporate banking, trade finance, treasury, correspondent banking and syndicated lending rather than retail consumer banking.
Can individuals open a personal account with BOK International?
No. BOK International is a wholesale bank serving corporates, SMEs and financial institutions. It does not offer personal salary accounts, consumer credit cards, personal loans or mortgages. Businesses can open corporate current accounts and access trade-finance and treasury services.
What is the BOK International SWIFT code?
The SWIFT/BIC code is BOKMAEADXXX. It belongs to the head office in Abu Dhabi and is used for all international wire transfers. Use it together with the recipient’s IBAN when sending funds.
Where is BOK International located in the UAE?
The registered office is at Al Sahel Tower, Zayed the First Street, Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 42253. This is the bank’s single full-service office; it does not run a retail branch network across the emirates.
How do I contact BOK International?
Call +971 2 3041777 (main line) or +971 2 3041719 for online banking activation. Email contactus@bokiuae.com for general enquiries and complaint.uae@bokiuae.com to report complaints or fraud on Abu Dhabi accounts. The fax number is +971 2 6391400.
What trade-finance products does BOK International offer?
The bank offers Letters of Guarantee (tender, performance, advance payment, retention, standby, shipping), Outward Letters of Credit for imports (sight, usance, transferable, back-to-back, revolving), Inward Letters of Credit for exports, and inward and outward Bills for Collection under D/P and D/A terms – all Shariah-compliant and aligned with international standards.
Is there a minimum balance on the corporate current account?
According to product information, the corporate current account has no minimum average balance requirement and no monthly fee, and includes cash-management solutions such as cash pickup and drop, postdated cheque collection, standing instructions and transfer services.
Does BOK International use Islamic (Shariah-compliant) banking?
Yes. BOK International operates under the principles of Islamic finance across its products and services, including corporate banking, trade finance and treasury.
How do I access BOK International online banking?
Corporate online banking is available seven days a week. To activate the service, call 02-3041719, then registered users log in through the bank’s corporate web portal. Features include balance and statement enquiry, statement download, in-house transfers, local UAE bank payments and chequebook requests.
Who regulates BOK International in the UAE?
BOK International is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). It was notably the only foreign bank granted a full-service commercial banking license by the CBUAE in the decade before its 2017 launch.
