Two UAE financial companies have received a no-objection letter from the Central Bank of the UAE to expand their partnership in small-business financing and employee salary-related services. The partnership aims to broaden eligible employees’ early access to part of their wages through a digital platform and prepaid Mastercard cards.

Mawarid Finance and financial technology company Liabify said in a statement issued in October 2026 that the Central Bank of the UAE had no objection to the provision of financing to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises under the partnership.

The companies said the regulatory development paves the way for the expansion of LiaPay, an AI-powered platform that allows employees of participating companies to access part of their earned wages before their usual payday.

How much of their salary can employees access early?

According to information published on LiaPay’s official website, eligible employees can access up to 50 per cent of their salary early. The amount available depends on the wages earned at the time of the request, the employee’s circumstances and limits set by the employer.

The service is designed to address employees’ short-term financial needs. For example, an employee facing an unexpected expense before payday can access part of the wages they have already earned.

The amount accessed is settled on the next payday, with the employer deducting it from the employee’s salary under the agreed terms.

What is the fee for early salary access?

According to official information from LiaPay, the service carries a 3 per cent fee. For example, if an employee requests early access to AED 1,000 of their salary, the stated fee would be AED 30.

Liabify stressed that early access to earned wages is not considered a loan or credit facility and does not incur interest. However, the service is not free, and the applicable fee is displayed to users when they submit a request.

Who can use these services?

Access to the early wage service requires the employer to participate in LiaPay and connect its payroll system to the platform.

Under the stated terms, applicants must have completed their employment probation period and be working full-time in the UAE. Requests are also assessed according to the employer’s conditions and eligibility requirements.

Under the new partnership, Mawarid Finance will provide financing facilities and prepaid cards, while Liabify will supply the technology infrastructure and manage employer relationships. The statement also referred to a Central Bank no-objection letter covering prepaid cards.

Allan Villegas, co-founder and chief executive of Liabify, said the partnership aims to help small and medium-sized businesses provide greater support to their workforce by giving employees responsible access to financial resources.

He said combining technology with regulatory compliance and sound risk management could improve employees’ financial well-being and help businesses use available resources more effectively.

The partnership between Mawarid Finance and Liabify was first announced on March 9, 2026, with the launch of the LiaPay platform. The Central Bank’s no-objection letter marks a new stage in the expansion of the partnership.