Can Someone Liaise With the Bank on Your Behalf in the UAE?

Banking in the UAE is built around face-to-face dealings. Whether it’s changing a facility, releasing funds, or addressing a dispute, banks usually want clients to appear in person and provide the right paperwork. That can mean long forms, notarised signatures, and more than one trip to the branch.

Unfortunately, for expats with demanding schedules and work and family commitments spread across more than one country, turning up at a branch on short notice often isn’t realistic. In such cases, you can appoint a representative to deal with the bank for you. With proper authority in place, they manage discussions, submit documents, and follow through on your instructions.

The sections below explain how this works in practice and what you need to know.

How representation with banks works

Banks won’t deal with a third party unless they’ve been given formal authority to act. That’s usually set out in a Power of Attorney (POA), or in some cases a bank mandate tied to a company account. Both documents make clear who can represent you and what they’re allowed to do.

A POA authorises another person to act in your place. It’s signed before a notary, translated into Arabic if needed, and registered so banks and other institutions accept it. The scope can be narrow, such as collecting statements or submitting forms, or much wider, covering the right to negotiate terms, sign agreements, and settle obligations.

If you’re dealing with a company account, the bank may rely on mandates rather than a personal POA. These set out who’s authorised to sign instructions, approve transfers, or attend meetings, and the bank keeps them on file. They’re updated when directors or shareholders change, so it’s important to make sure the records match the current structure.

Once the right authority is in place, your representative can sit with the bank, present papers, and act on your instructions without delay. The document gives them standing to have the discussion, though the outcome still rests on the bank’s own rules and your account history.

Common reasons to appoint a representative

There are many points where a representative can step in. If you need to restructure a loan or reschedule a mortgage, they can negotiate terms and present the paperwork on your behalf. Inheritance cases often involve accounts that remain frozen until the right authority is shown, so a representative can approach the bank and secure access once the court orders or succession documents are ready.

They’re also useful when an account has been dormant or blocked after a compliance review. In these situations, banks often ask for updated records or detailed explanations, and a representative can meet officers face to face to resolve the issue. With company accounts, even a small change to a facility can mean several rounds of approval and branch visits, so having someone authorised to step in often saves a great deal of time and interruptions to your schedule.

Limits and expectations

When you authorise someone to act for you, the bank will recognise them as the point of contact. That access allows them to present requests, submit papers, and respond to questions on your behalf. It makes the process workable, but it doesn’t change how decisions are made.

Each bank applies its own rules on lending, repayments, and access to funds. For example, when an account is frozen after the holder’s death, a representative can prepare the succession documents and deal with the officers involved, but the release of funds still depends on the bank’s review and any court orders required. The same applies to debt restructuring: terms can be discussed, but approval depends on the institution’s risk policies. Representation keeps matters moving, though outcomes remain in the bank’s hands.

How professionals approach bank dealings

A good representative doesn’t just turn up at the bank with a stack of papers. They’ll have already checked what the bank is likely to ask for, had documents translated or attested if needed, and made sure nothing is missing.

Banks in the UAE can be formal about process, but much depends on how requests are put forward. An experienced professional knows when to push for a faster answer, when to offer extra proof, and when to wait for internal sign-off. They’ll also be clear on which points can be negotiated, such as payment terms, and which are fixed.

This combination of preparation, cultural awareness, and steady handling helps keep discussions on track and avoids unnecessary delay.