Micro-loan accounts are now being added to UAE credit reports. This is giving banks and authorized lenders a wider view of consumers’ borrowing and repayment records.
Etihad Credit Bureau said on Tuesday that information from CashNow micro-loan accounts has been added to the country’s credit reporting system. The data is being submitted by Botim Finance, formerly known as Quantix. The change applies to existing and new CashNow customers. It also includes relevant historical account information.
The move follows the recent addition of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) and other short-term credit data to UAE credit reports. Micro-loans are increasingly being used through digital platforms. Their inclusion means lenders can now consider these obligations when assessing a customer’s overall financial position.
Botim Finance submitted micro-loan data linked to more than one million CashNow customer profiles to Etihad Credit Bureau since the second quarter of 2025, according to Dr Tariq BinHendi, CEO of Botim and CEO and board member of Astra Tech.
Brian Gambin, director of partnerships at Etihad Credit Bureau, said the development expands the range of credit information available to lenders as consumers use more digital borrowing products.
The reporting of micro-loans also brings repayment records into consumers’ formal credit histories. BinHendi said customers who repay their CashNow loans on time can build a stronger credit profile over time. The information can also help lenders assess existing financial commitments before approving new credit.
Reem Bank CEO Sara Al Binali said adding financing records and repayment behavior to the formal system could help consumers develop their credit histories. She also said the information could support lenders in making better-informed credit decisions.
UAE consumers can view BNPL and short-term loan information through the Etihad Credit Bureau app. The app also allows users to download their credit reports as PDF files. This gives borrowers a way to check how their digital credit commitments are recorded.
The wider reporting system is significant as more consumers use short-term and app-based credit. For lenders, the additional data offers a broader picture of borrowing behaviour. For consumers, repayment patterns on smaller loans can now form part of the formal credit record used in financial assessments.
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