Citibank closes UAE branches from March 12 to March 14 as precautionary measure

Earlier this week, Citi told its staff to evacuate offices in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Dubai's Oud Metha neighbourhood.

Citibank will close its branches and financial centres in the United Arab Emirates through March 14 as a precautionary measure, the bank's website showed on Thursday, following a wave of banks sending staff home as the crisis in the Middle East deepens.

Banks across the region have stepped up precautions after Iran threatened Gulf banking ​interests linked to the US ‌and Israel. (AFP/Representational Image)

The US bank plans to reopen all affected branches on March 16, but the branch in the Mall of the Emirates in central Dubai, will remain open during this period, it said.

Earlier this week, Citi told its staff to evacuate offices in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Dubai's Oud Metha neighbourhood, telling them to work from home until further notice.

HSBC, another major global bank, has closed all branches in Qatar until further notice, according to a customer notice, saying the measure was to ensure the safety of staff and customers.

Banks across the region have stepped up precautions after Iran threatened Gulf banking ​interests linked to the US ‌and Israel.