UAE Bank Balance Check: FAB, Emirates NBD, ADCB, ADIB and More

The fastest way to check a bank balance in the UAE is your bank’s mobile app, which shows every account and card the moment you log in. Without the app, most banks offer another route: ADCB customers can text BAL and the last six digits of the account number to 2626, ADIB customers can text BAL to 2400, and Emirates NBD customers can ask for their balance on WhatsApp once registered. Phone banking and your own bank’s ATMs also show the balance for free. Salary card holders use their card provider’s app or enquiry page instead.

Every way to check a balance

Every UAE bank offers several channels. They differ mainly in what you need to set up first.

Method	What you need	Cost
Mobile banking app	App registration, usually with your card or Emirates ID	Free
Online banking	Username and password, plus a one-time code	Free
SMS or WhatsApp banking	Registration from the mobile number held by the bank	Free from the bank; your operator may charge for the SMS
Phone banking	Account or card number and a telephone PIN	Free
Your own bank’s ATM	Card and PIN	Free
Another bank’s ATM	Card and PIN	Often a small fee

SMS, WhatsApp and phone banking all depend on your mobile number being up to date with the bank. If you have changed numbers, update it first, through the app, a branch or the call centre, or these channels will not recognise you.

Balance check by bank

Bank	Without the app	Phone
Emirates NBD	WhatsApp banking: type Balance or Bal	600 54 0000
ADCB	SMS BAL and last 6 digits of the account to 2626	600 50 2030
ADIB	SMS BAL to 2400	02 6578777 for SMS registration
FAB	FAB ATMs and online banking	600 52 5500
Dubai Islamic Bank	Phone banking menu, balance option	04 609 2222
Mashreq	Mashreq Online or the virtual assistant	04 424 4444

Phone banking lines need a telephone PIN. At Dubai Islamic Bank, for example, you enter your 15-digit account number, 7-digit ID number or 16-digit card number together with a 4-digit phone banking PIN, then choose the balance option from the accounts menu. Emirates NBD’s phone banking also uses a telephone PIN, which you can set up by calling 600 54 0009 or at a branch.

SMS and WhatsApp balance checks

Text-based checks are the best option when you have no data or no smartphone. Each bank uses its own format, and you have to register first.

Bank	Register	Check balance
ADCB, to 2626	REG followed by your account or card number	BAL followed by the last 6 digits of the account
ADIB, to 2400	REG followed by your account number, or at a branch	BAL, or BAL followed by an account number
Emirates NBD, on WhatsApp	Send an SMS with the word WhatsApp to 4456	Type Balance or Bal in the chat

ADCB’s commands are not case sensitive, so bal works as well as BAL, and the same service shows your last three transactions. Sending Help to ADIB’s 2400 number lists every command, and ADIB notes that your operator’s normal SMS charges apply. For Emirates NBD, the WhatsApp number must match the mobile number registered with the bank. Not every bank keeps these services running: Dubai Islamic Bank announced that its alt WhatsApp banking would close on 28 April 2026, so use the app or phone banking there.

Salary cards and credit cards

Payroll cards are not ordinary bank accounts, so they have their own balance checks.

Card	How to check the balance
FAB Ratibi	Magnati enquiry page with the last 4 card digits and the Card ID, the Payit app, or a FAB ATM
Edenred C3Pay	The C3Pay app, any ATM, or 600 56 7772
ADCB credit card	SMS CBAL and the last 6 digits of the card to 2626
Any credit card	The bank’s app shows the outstanding balance and available limit

Ratibi balance enquiries at another bank’s ATM cost AED 2 plus VAT, while FAB’s own ATMs are free, so a quick check before payday can still cost money if you use the wrong machine. Our Ratibi card guide covers the card’s fees, and our salary card comparison helps if you are not sure which card you hold.

Staying safe when checking your balance

Balance check scams are common because the searches are so popular. Many websites with “balance check” in the name are not run by banks, and some ask for full card numbers, expiry dates or one-time codes. A genuine balance check never needs your one-time code, your full card PIN or your CVV, and Mashreq is one of several banks that state plainly that their staff will never ask for an OTP. Use the bank’s own app, the SMS short code printed on its website, or the number on the back of your card. If a message claiming to be your bank asks you to confirm details through a link, call the bank on its published number instead. Our IBAN guide and the rest of our money guides are in the UAE banking guide.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check my ADCB balance by SMS?

Register by sending REG and your account or card number to 2626, then send BAL followed by the last six digits of your account number to the same number.

How can I check my Emirates NBD balance without the app?

Register for WhatsApp banking by sending WhatsApp to 4456 from your registered number, then type Balance in the chat. Phone banking on 600 54 0000 also works with a telephone PIN.

Is it free to check my balance at an ATM?

At your own bank’s ATMs, yes. Other banks’ machines may charge a small fee; Ratibi cards, for example, pay AED 2 plus VAT for an enquiry at a non-FAB ATM.

How do I check my ADIB balance by SMS?

Once registered, text BAL to 2400 from your registered mobile. Sending Help to 2400 lists the other commands.

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Last verified: November 2026 against each bank’s own SMS, WhatsApp and phone banking pages, FAB’s Ratibi page and Edenred’s C3Pay FAQ. Banks change these services, so check your bank’s site if a command stops working.
Written by Roman Shah · Reviewed by the UAEexplained editorial team
Sources: Emirates NBD, ADCB, ADIB, FAB, Dubai Islamic Bank, Mashreq, Edenred UAE
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