Etihad Credit Bureau has begun incorporating Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) account information from Tabby and Tamara into UAE credit reports, bringing a widely used form of short-term consumer financing into the country’s broader credit-reporting system.
Effective from July 2026, the change applies to new and existing customers of both platforms in the UAE. Relevant historical transactions will also be included.
Credit reports may therefore provide lenders with a broader view of a consumer’s financial commitments, rather than focusing mainly on conventional bank loans, credit cards and other established forms of borrowing.
BNPL Data Moves Into Credit Reporting
Buy Now, Pay Later services allow consumers to divide purchases into installments, often at the point of sale. Although the payment experience can appear closer to a checkout option than a traditional loan application, the arrangement still creates a financial obligation that must be repaid over an agreed period.
Including those accounts in credit reports narrows the gap between newer digital financing products and the information already used in conventional lending decisions. Etihad Credit Bureau said the additional data could support more informed credit decisions for existing borrowers while bringing consumers with limited conventional credit histories into the formal credit ecosystem.
The bureau described the move as part of an effort to improve the depth and relevance of the information contained in its products. Credit reports in the UAE are used by authorized entities to review repayment behavior and existing obligations when assessing applications for financing.
Under Central Bank of the UAE consumer-protection standards, licensed financial institutions are expected to examine a consumer’s credit record when assessing solvency, repayment capacity and previous credit behavior. The standards also require lenders to consider affordability before granting credit.
BNPL Repayments May Support Credit Visibility
The inclusion of BNPL information means that repayment behavior on smaller installment purchases may become more visible within a customer’s overall credit profile. Someone who pays consistently and on time could develop a documented record beyond conventional banking products, while missed or delayed payments could become more relevant when future applications are assessed.
Hosam Arab, CEO and Co-founder of Tabby, said: "Responsible lending starts with a clear view of a person's finances, and we have always underwritten in real time to make credit more accessible. For the millions of customers who use Tabby responsibly, this means their track record can now contribute to their broader financial standing."
Tabby’s UAE website identifies its Pay Later and card products as forms of short-term credit provided by Tabby LLC. The company also warns customers that overdue payments can affect product access and may lead to lower spending limits.
Tamara similarly tells UAE customers that consistently late payments may negatively affect their credit scores and future eligibility. Its participation in the new reporting arrangement gives Etihad Credit Bureau access to another source of consumer installment data.
Lenders Gain More Insight Into Borrowers
From a lender’s perspective, BNPL data may help reveal commitments that were previously less visible in a conventional credit assessment. A customer might have several active installment plans across digital platforms even when their bank borrowing appears limited.
A more complete record could improve affordability checks by allowing institutions to consider a wider range of recurring obligations before approving additional credit. Central Bank rules already require certain regulated lenders to obtain and review credit information before extending financing, and finance companies must regularly provide borrower information to Etihad Credit Bureau.
The change does not mean every BNPL transaction will automatically determine whether a person receives a loan. Credit decisions remain subject to each lender’s risk models, affordability assessment, internal policies and the applicant’s wider financial position.
Marwan Ahmad Lutfi, director general of Etihad Credit Bureau, said: “At Etihad Credit Bureau, we remain committed to strengthening the UAE's credit reporting ecosystem by continuously enhancing the quality, depth, and relevance of the information available through our products and services. As financial services evolve and new forms of consumer financing gain wider adoption, it is important that credit reports provide a broad view of an individual's financial commitments.”
Sagar Shah, General Manager, UAE, Tamara, added: “As a fintech platform serving millions across the region, trust is at the core of everything we do at Tamara. This initiative reinforces our commitment by supporting greater transparency and creating more opportunities for people to participate in the financial system.”
The expansion is part of a wider effort by Etihad Credit Bureau to collect information from banks, fintech companies, microfinance providers and public-sector entities. Earlier in 2026, the bureau also announced partnerships intended to add more verified government information to corporate credit reports.
