Sharjah Islamic Bank Review
The Leading Sharia-Compliant Bank in the UAE?
Editor’s Verdict for SIB
Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) is one of the oldest banks in the UAE, founded in 1975 as the National Bank of Sharjah and fully converted into a Sharia-compliant Islamic bank in 2002. Headquartered in the Sharjah Islamic Bank Tower in the Al Khan area, the bank runs a dense network across the country with its strongest concentration in Sharjah. Every product is structured on Islamic finance principles, which makes SIB a natural choice for customers who want interest-free, Sharia-compliant banking rather than conventional accounts and loans.
✓ Best For
- Customers who specifically want fully Sharia-compliant, interest-free banking
- Residents and businesses based in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates who value a deep local branch network
- Salaried professionals looking for salary accounts with profit-sharing instead of conventional interest
- Students and staff of Sharjah’s universities, where SIB maintains dedicated campus branches
✗ Not Ideal For
- Customers who prefer conventional interest-based products or international private-banking ecosystems
- Frequent travellers chasing airline-miles credit cards and global lounge programs
- Those who want a fully app-first challenger bank with minimal reliance on branches
Quick Facts
| Bank Type | Islamic / Retail / Business / Corporate / Investment (fully Sharia-compliant) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1975 (as National Bank of Sharjah); converted to Islamic banking in 2002 |
| Headquarters | Sharjah Islamic Bank Tower, Al Khan Area, Sharjah, UAE |
| Branch Network | Branches across 7 emirates, with the densest coverage in Sharjah |
| Main Products | Accounts, Personal Finance, Car Finance, Real Estate Finance, Cards, Business & Corporate Banking |
| Channels | SIB Digital mobile app, Online Banking, branches, ATMs / CDMs |
| Online Banking | SIB Online Banking |
| Languages Supported | English, Arabic |
| SWIFT/BIC Code | NBSHAEAS (NBSHAEASXXX) |
| Credit Rating | A- (S&P), BBB+ (Fitch) |
📄 Schedule of Fees
📍 Branch Locator
Sharjah Islamic Bank Pros & Cons
✓ Pros
- Fully Sharia-compliant
Every account, card and finance product is structured on Islamic finance principles, overseen by a Sharia board - Deep local network
Exceptionally strong branch coverage across Sharjah, including university campuses and Sharjah CO-OP locations - Long-established bank
One of the UAE’s oldest banks (since 1975) with solid investment-grade credit ratings - Full product range
Personal, car and real-estate finance plus business, corporate and investment banking under one roof - 24/7 phone banking
A single call-centre line available around the clock, every day of the week
✗ Cons
- Sharjah-centric footprint
Coverage in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is solid but far thinner than in Sharjah - No conventional products
Customers who specifically want interest-based accounts or loans will need another bank - Limited rewards ecosystem
No large airline-miles or global lounge program comparable to the big conventional banks - Regional brand recognition
Less internationally known than the largest UAE banks, which can matter for expats sending money abroad
SIB Popular Products
Current & Salary Accounts
Most Popular
Who it’s for: Salaried residents and UAE nationals who want a Sharia-compliant everyday account.
SIB’s current and salary accounts are structured on Islamic principles, so they do not pay or charge conventional interest. Salary customers gain access to the bank’s personal finance products, debit cards and the SIB Digital app for everyday transactions. Account opening for residents is straightforward with a valid Emirates ID and passport, and SIB also offers a digital account-opening journey.
Personal Finance
Sharia-Compliant
SIB Personal Finance provides funds for personal needs through Islamic structures (such as Murabaha or Ijarah) rather than an interest-bearing loan. Pricing is expressed as a profit rate, and eligibility depends on salary level, employer and UAE residency status.
It suits salaried customers who want a transparent, faith-aligned alternative to a conventional personal loan, with repayment through fixed monthly instalments.
Cards, Car & Real Estate Finance
Full Range
Who it’s for: Customers looking for Sharia-compliant cards or asset financing.
SIB offers a range of covered cards along with car finance and real-estate finance, all structured to comply with Islamic finance rules. Real-estate finance covers home purchase and property investment for residents, while car finance is built around Islamic leasing/Murabaha models.
Combined with business and corporate banking, this lets customers keep personal and asset financing within a single Sharia-compliant relationship.
Sharjah Islamic Bank Fees & Charges
Because SIB is an Islamic bank, charges are framed as fees and profit rates rather than interest. Always verify the current figures in the official Schedule of Fees before opening an account:
Digital Experience
SIB Digital Mobile App
The SIB Digital app is the bank’s main self-service channel, covering everyday banking such as transfers, bill payments, card management and digital account opening without a branch visit.
What works well: Digital onboarding lets new customers open an account remotely. Day-to-day functions like local transfers, utility-bill payments and IBAN generation are handled in-app, and the bank offers a self-service flow to manage or delete app account access.
What to keep in mind: SIB’s digital ecosystem is solid for core banking but is more traditional than dedicated challenger banks, so some complex tasks may still route you to a branch or the call centre.
Online Banking
The web portal at sib.ae provides account management, transfers and service requests, alongside tools such as an IBAN generator, calculators and a branch/ATM locator. Sensitive or document-heavy processes may still require a branch visit.
Sharjah Islamic Bank Contact Information & Support
Customer Service
Phone Banking (Outside UAE)
Marketing Opt-In / Opt-Out
SWIFT / BIC
Phone Banking (24/7, within UAE)
Phone Banking (Outside UAE)
Headquarters
Al Khan Area, Sharjah, UAE
P.O. Box 4
Quick Actions
Sharjah Islamic Bank Branch Network
Sharjah Islamic Bank operates branches across the UAE, with its densest coverage in its home emirate of Sharjah and additional branches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi (including Al Ain), Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. The branch addresses below are taken from the official SIB branch locator (ATMs excluded). Phone banking is on 600 SIB (600 742) / +971 600 742; the shared branch line published in the official locator is +971 6 599 9999.
Abu Dhabi
| Branch | Address |
|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi Mall Branch | Abu Dhabi Mall, First Floor, near to the main entrance, UAE |
| Al Ain Mall Branch | Ground Floor, Al Ain Mall, Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Al Khalidya Branch | Mubarak Bin Mohamad Road, Shining Tower, Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Hazza’a Bin Zayed Stadium Branch | Hamdan Bin Mohamad Road, Next to Hazza’a Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Musaffah Branch | Musaffah Indusrtial Area, Al Fahim HQ Building, Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Yas Mall Branch | Yas Mall, Ground floor, beside e&, Abu Dhabi, UAE |
Dubai
| Branch | Address |
|---|---|
| Al Twar Branch | Al Nahda Road, Next to Al Qusais Metro Station and Al Twar Centre, Dubai, UAE |
| Deira Branch | Port Saeed Area, Near Deira City Centre, Dubai, UAE |
| Dubai Festival City Mall – Digital Branch | Dubai Festival City Mall, North Entrance, Ground Floor, UAE |
| Dubai Mall Branch | Lower Ground, Dubai Mall, UAE |
| Mall of the Emirates Branch | Mall of the Emirates, First Floor, Entrance A, Dubai, UAE |
| Mirdif City Center Branch | Mirdif City Center, First Floor, Entrance A, Dubai, UAE |
| Sheikh Zayed Road Branch | Sheikh Zayed Road, Nassima Tower Next to Voco Hotel, Dubai, UAE |
Sharjah
| Branch | Address |
|---|---|
| Al Dhaid Mall Branch | Al Dhaid Mall, Ground Floor, Sharjah, UAE |
| Al Hamriya Free Zone Branch | Al Ittihad Road, Inside Al Hamriyah Free Zone Area, Sharjah, UAE |
| American University of Sharjah Branch | University City Area, American University of Sharjah, Main Building, UAE |
| Buhaira Branch | Corniche Al Buhairah Road, Al Dana Tower, Sharjah, UAE |
| Dibba Al Hisn Branch | Al Akd Al Fareed Road, Near to Government Buildings, East Coast, Sharjah, UAE |
| Kalba Branch | Sheikh Saeed Road, Opposite Sidra Park, East Coast, Sharjah, UAE |
| Khorfakkan Branch | Al Rugaylat Road, Opposite Khorfakan Beach, East Coast, Sharjah, UAE |
| King Faisal Street | Al Fakhama Tower, Sharjah, UAE |
| Maliha Road Branch | Industrial 18 Area, Maliha Road, Before Emirates Road Exit, Sharjah, UAE |
| Matajer Al Jurainah Branch | Matajer Al Jurainah, Al Juraina Area Near University City Area, Sharjah, UAE |
| Matajer Al Mirgab Branch | Matajer Al Mirgab, Al Mirqab Area, Al Sharq Street to Ajman, Sharjah, UAE |
| Mega Mall Branch | Mega Mall, Ground Floor, Sharjah, UAE |
| Muwaileh Branch | Muwaileh Area, University City Road, Sharjah, UAE |
| Rahmania Mall Branch | Rahmania Mall, Entrance A, Sharjah, UAE |
| Saif Zone Branch | Sharjah Airport Road, Saif Zone Area, Next to Emirates Post Office, UAE |
| Sharjah Court Branch | Al Khan Area, Al Meena Street Port Khalid, Sharjah Court Building, UAE |
| Sharjah Economic Development Department Branch | Al Layyah Area, Sharjah Economic Development Department Building, UAE |
| Sharjah Main Branch | Al Khan Area, Near Al Qasba Canal, Sharjah Islamic Bank Tower, UAE |
| University of Sharjah – Temporarily Closed | University City Area, University of Sharjah, Men’s College, Student Center, UAE |
| Wasit Branch | Al Khazamiyah Area, Wasit Road, Near to Al Qasimi Hospital, Sharjah, UAE |
Ras Al Khaimah
| Branch | Address |
|---|---|
| Ras al Khaimah Branch | Al Nakheel Area, Al Muntasir Road, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE |
Fujairah
| Branch | Address |
|---|---|
| Fujairah Branch | Hamad Bin Abdullah Road, Fujairah, UAE |
Sharjah Islamic Bank SWIFT Code
Sharjah Islamic Bank uses a single SWIFT/BIC code for all international transfers, registered to its head office. Branches do not have separate SWIFT codes – use the head-office code below and provide your IBAN to route the payment to your specific account.
| SWIFT Code | Branch / Department | Emirate | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBSHAEAS (NBSHAEASXXX) | Head Office | Sharjah | Sharjah Islamic Bank Tower, Al Khan Area |
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.
Information may change – verify current terms on the official Sharjah Islamic Bank website before making financial decisions. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
FAQ – Sharjah Islamic Bank
How do I open a Sharjah Islamic Bank account as a resident?
Residents need a valid passport, Emirates ID and proof of address. You can visit any SIB branch or use the digital account-opening journey on the SIB website or app. Processing is typically completed within a few business days once your documents are verified.
Is Sharjah Islamic Bank fully Sharia-compliant?
Yes. SIB converted from a conventional bank into a fully Islamic bank in 2002, and all of its accounts, cards and financing products are structured to comply with Islamic finance principles under the supervision of its Sharia board. The bank does not offer conventional interest-based products.
What is the Sharjah Islamic Bank SWIFT code?
The SWIFT/BIC code is NBSHAEAS (also written as NBSHAEASXXX), registered to the head office at Sharjah Islamic Bank Tower, Al Khan, Sharjah. SIB uses this single code for all branches – your IBAN directs the transfer to your specific account.
What are the minimum balance and account fees?
Minimum balance and account-maintenance conditions depend on the specific account package, and salary accounts usually have lighter requirements. Always check the current figures in the official Schedule of Fees on sib.ae before opening an account.
How long does an international transfer take?
Standard SWIFT transfers from SIB generally take 1-3 business days to reach the beneficiary bank, depending on the destination country and correspondent banks involved. Provide the correct beneficiary IBAN and BIC code to avoid delays.
How do I find my IBAN?
You can generate or check your SIB IBAN using the IBAN tool on the official website, through Online Banking, or by contacting the call centre. Your IBAN is also printed on your account documents and statements.
How do I contact Sharjah Islamic Bank customer service?
SIB phone banking is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 600 SIB (600 742) within the UAE or +971 600 742 from outside the country. You can also email info@sib.ae or use the contact form on the official website.
What should I do if my card is lost or I suspect fraud?
Call the 24/7 call centre immediately on +971 6 599 9999 to block your card, then report any suspected fraud. SIB also publishes online-security guidance on its website to help you recognise and report scams.
Does Sharjah Islamic Bank have branches outside Sharjah?
Yes. While SIB’s network is densest in Sharjah, it also operates branches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi (including Al Ain), Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah (including Khorfakkan, Kalba and Dibba Al Hisn). Use the official branch locator for the nearest location and current hours.
How do I file a complaint with Sharjah Islamic Bank?
You can call the 24×7 call centre, email info@sib.ae, use the complaints form on the website, or visit a branch. Postal complaints can be addressed to Market Conduct and Consumer Protection, Sharjah Islamic Bank Tower, Al Khan, Sharjah, P.O. Box 4, UAE.
