Dubai — UAE residents will soon see their credit scores improve faster after missed payments, as the Etihad Credit Bureau (ECB) prepares to launch Version 3 of the national credit score system before mid-2026.
Currently, those who default on loans or credit cards may wait up to two years to rebuild their scores. The new version could shorten recovery time to as little as six months, depending on payment behaviour.
Marwan Ahmad Lutfi, Director General of the ECB, said the update makes the system more dynamic and fair. “We want to recognise good behaviour sooner and make credit scores reflect real market conditions,” he said.
The bureau will also review data quarterly instead of annually, allowing faster adjustments to changing economic trends.
A major addition is the inclusion of individuals new to the UAE or without bank credit history. By using alternative data such as rent, utility and telecom payments, the bureau can now generate scores for first-time consumers.
Built entirely in-house, the upgraded model gives the bureau full control to refine and update algorithms regularly. Lutfi added that the new system aims to encourage responsible borrowing while promoting financial inclusion across the country.
The revised score is currently being tested and will be rolled out in coordination with the Central Bank of the UAE and local lenders.
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