CBD Banking Power of Attorney in UAE: Requirements for Account Holders

If you hold an account with Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) and want another person to manage banking matters on your behalf, an informal authorisation is no longer enough for the activities covered by the bank’s current Power of Attorney framework.

CBD’s current guidance requires a duly notarised Power of Attorney, or another legally recognised authority acceptable to the bank, before a third party can exercise specified banking powers. The bank has also introduced four POA categories covering administrative matters, account operation, borrowing and security, and safe deposit services.

For customers, the important point is that notarising a Banking Power of Attorney in UAE does not automatically mean CBD will accept it. The document must still pass the bank’s verification, identity, KYC, compliance, and authority checks.

What Has Changed in CBD’s Banking Power of Attorney Requirements?

Commercial Bank of Dubai published a detailed Third Party Authorizations – POA customer pack dated 2 July 2026.

Under the current framework, CBD states that it will not accept a simple mandate letter, informal authorisation, internally signed instruction, internally executed POA form, or non-notarised document as sufficient authority for another person to act on an account.

Instead, the bank requires the authority to be clearly set out in a notarised Power of Attorney and accepted after CBD completes its own internal review.

CBD has also separated common banking powers into four forms:

• Form A – limited banking administration;
• Form B – account operation and management;
• Form C – borrowing, facilities, and security; and
• Form D – safe deposit locker and special custody services.

The correct form depends on what the representative actually needs to do.

When Does CBD Require a Notarised Power of Attorney?

CBD’s current guidance covers a wide range of actions that a third party may perform for an account holder.

A notarised POA may be required where the representative will:

• collect bank statements, letters, or returned-cheque documents;
• submit documents to the bank;
• communicate with CBD on behalf of the customer;
• operate or manage an account;
• withdraw or transfer funds;
• issue cheques or payment instructions;
• open or close accounts;
• manage deposits;
• apply for banking services;
• borrow money or sign finance documents;
• provide guarantees, pledges, security, or mortgages;
• sign promissory notes or bills of exchange; or
• access or operate a safe deposit locker.

For account holders concerned about accessing or transferring funds, our guide explains whether a POA holder can withdraw money from a UAE bank and the banking checks that may apply.

The authority should be drafted around the actual banking task rather than granting unnecessary powers simply because they appear in a standard template.

Which CBD Power of Attorney Form Should You Use?

Form A – Limited Banking Administration

Form A is intended for administrative matters where the representative does not need authority to move money or operate the account.

It can cover activities such as collecting account statements, balance confirmations, liability letters, clearance letters, returned-cheque documents, and other correspondence.

This may be suitable where an account holder is overseas and only needs somebody to collect or submit bank documentation.

Form B – Account Operation and Management

Form B carries substantially wider authority.

It can be used where the attorney needs to operate specified accounts, withdraw money, transfer funds, give banking instructions, manage deposits, close accounts, or perform related administrative actions.

Because these powers allow direct control over funds, customers should review the wording carefully and remove any authority they do not intend to grant.

Form C – Borrowing, Finance and Security

Form C is designed for higher-risk financial authority.

It may cover:

• borrowing;
• credit facilities;
• finance documents;
• guarantees;
• pledges;
• mortgages;
• security documents;
• promissory notes; and
• bills of exchange.

CBD specifically notes that borrowing and security powers require additional care and can be subject to further bank review.

If the attorney does not need general account-operation authority in addition to the finance or security powers, those additional provisions should not simply be left in the POA unnecessarily.

Form D – Safe Deposit Locker and Special Services

Form D applies where the representative needs access to a safe deposit locker or another special custody service.

Authority may include opening, operating, renewing or closing the locker, or collecting its contents.

A locker POA does not automatically authorise ordinary account transactions, borrowing or security arrangements unless those powers are expressly granted and accepted by CBD.

Can You Delete Powers From CBD’s Standard POA?

Yes, and CBD specifically tells customers to review the form before notarisation and remove powers they do not intend to give.

This is an important practical point.

A Banking Power of Attorney should not grant authority merely because the wording appears in a bank template. If the attorney only needs to collect statements, for example, there may be no reason to authorise withdrawals, transfers, or account closure.

Customers preparing the document can therefore prepare a Power of Attorney around the banking powers actually required rather than treating every banking authority as necessary.

What Documents May Be Needed for an Individual Banking POA?

CBD’s customer pack states that the notary may request documents including:

• the principal’s Emirates ID;
• the principal’s passport;
• the attorney’s Emirates ID or passport;
• the addresses and contact details of both parties;
• evidence of the relevant account, including account number, IBAN, or other account details;
• the draft POA wording; and
• any additional documents required for the particular transaction.

The account evidence may need to be provided in a format acceptable to the notary, such as an authenticated certificate issued by the bank.

Requirements can vary depending on the notarial authority and the powers being granted, so the document set should be checked before submission.

What Additional Documents Apply to Company Accounts?

A corporate Banking Power of Attorney normally requires evidence that the person granting the authority has the legal power to bind the company.

CBD’s guidance indicates that supporting documents may include:

• a valid trade licence or registration certificate;
• Memorandum and Articles of Association or other constitutional documents;
• a board or shareholder resolution where applicable;
• identification of the company signatory;
• identification of the proposed attorney;
• evidence that the person issuing the POA has authority to do so;
• relevant account details; and
• the proposed POA wording.

The bank may also require further corporate or compliance information before accepting the appointment.

Does Notarisation Guarantee CBD Will Accept the POA?

No. This is one of the most important parts of the new CBD guidance.

Notarisation confirms the document through the applicable notarial procedure, but CBD still performs its own review before allowing the attorney to transact.

The bank may check:

• whether the POA has been properly notarised;
• whether the document can be digitally verified through the issuing authority;
• whether the principal’s details match CBD’s records;
• whether the attorney’s identity documents match the POA;
• whether the powers are clear and sufficient;
• whether any powers are unclear, inconsistent, or excessively broad;
• whether the POA has expired;
• whether the attorney passes KYC and screening checks;
• whether further internal approvals are needed; and
• whether Legal, Compliance, Risk or Operations review is required.

This reflects the broader UAE banking requirement for financial institutions to verify both the identity of a person acting for a customer and that person’s authority to act.

A POA may therefore be legally notarised but still be rejected for a particular banking activity if its wording does not provide the authority CBD needs.

How Is a Banking POA Notarised in the UAE?

CBD states that its banking POA should be notarised through a competent Court, Ministry of Justice, or authorised Public Notary, depending on the applicable jurisdiction and process.

The UAE Ministry of Justice provides electronic services for eligible Powers of Attorney, including digital POA procedures using UAE Pass.

Notarisation generally involves confirming the identity and capacity of the person granting the authority and completing the required signing procedure.

The detailed process can vary by emirate and document type. If you need the procedural steps, our separate guide explains how a Power of Attorney is notarised in the UAE.

What If You Already Have a Notarised Banking POA?

You do not necessarily have to start again using one of CBD’s standard forms.

CBD’s current website states that an existing notarised POA may also be submitted for review.

However, the bank will still examine whether the existing document:

• covers the exact banking activity requested;
• contains adequate account or transaction details;
• is still valid;
• can be verified;
• matches the principal’s and attorney’s current identity details; and
• satisfies CBD’s current compliance and operational requirements.

This makes an older POA worth checking before it is submitted. A document may still be legally effective but insufficient for a specific banking transaction. Our guide on checking whether an existing Power of Attorney is still usable in Dubai covers these issues in more detail.

Can an Overseas Banking Power of Attorney Be Used With CBD?

Potentially, but a POA signed outside the UAE may require additional formalities before CBD can rely on it.

CBD states that foreign-issued documents may require legalisation, attestation, translation, or other verification.

These processes should not be confused.

• Notarisation concerns the execution or certification of the POA through the competent notarial authority.
• Attestation verifies official signatures and seals through the relevant authorities.
• Authentication is the broader process of confirming the genuineness of a document, signature, seal, or issuing authority.
• Legalisation generally refers to the chain of formalities required for a document issued in one country to be accepted for official use in another.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms that Powers of Attorney can fall within its attestation framework. A POA containing commercial content can also be treated as a commercial document for attestation purposes.

If the POA was issued outside the UAE, the appropriate attestation and legalisation route should be confirmed before the document is submitted to the bank.

Can the Attorney Delegate the Banking Powers to Someone Else?

Not automatically.

CBD’s current guidance states that the attorney cannot delegate or sub-delegate the granted authority to another person unless the bank expressly accepts the arrangement in writing and the sub-delegation is supported by valid notarised authority acceptable to CBD.

This means a representative should not assume that a general right to appoint substitutes will necessarily be sufficient for banking purposes.

What Should You Check Before Notarising a CBD Banking POA?

Before completing notarisation, confirm:

1. which CBD form or type of authority matches the intended transaction;
2. the exact accounts or banking relationship covered;
3. the attorney’s correct identification details;
4. which powers are genuinely required;
5. which standard powers should be deleted;
6. any monetary limits or special instructions;
7. the duration or expiry date;
8. whether borrowing or security authority is required;
9. whether sub-delegation is intended; and
10. whether any overseas document requires attestation or translation.

It is also sensible to confirm CBD’s current requirements before notarising the final document. Bank acceptance remains a separate step from notarial execution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

CBD’s 2026 banking POA framework makes the distinction between administrative authority, account control, borrowing and security, and safe-deposit access much clearer.

The main practical lesson is to grant only the powers that are actually needed and to check the bank’s requirements before notarisation. A document can be properly notarised and still be unsuitable for the banking transaction if the authority is unclear, incomplete, or does not pass CBD’s verification process.

If you need assistance preparing a banking-specific POA or reviewing an existing document against the intended banking powers, Notary Public Dubai can assist with drafting, notarisation and related document formalities.