Custody
Held in your name at Interactive Brokers.
Vault never takes possession of client funds. Assets sit in your own account at IBKR — segregated, with SIPC and FDIC protection on the underlying.
Comparisons
Vault, Compared Against the Alternatives
Eleven side-by-side comparisons against the UAE private banks, digital platforms and brokers clients actually weigh us against. Each one covers minimums, fee structure, custody, advisor incentives and investment range, with sources.
Every figure below comes from the provider's own published materials and is dated to the time of writing. Where a provider does not publish its rates — several do not — the comparison says so rather than estimating. Confirm current terms with any provider before relying on them.
Private banks
Advice bundled with a balance sheet and a product shelf. Minimums generally run from USD 1 million upward, and pricing is usually negotiated per relationship rather than published.
- Vault vs HSBCHSBC Premier (UAE)Minimum to qualifyAED 500,000 Total Relationship Balance (deposits and/or investments). Can be built up over 12 months if salary is transferred.
- Vault vs Julius BaerJulius Baer (DIFC, Dubai)Minimum to qualifyApproximately CHF 1,000,000 (~USD 1.1M / AED 4M) in investable assets. In December 2025, Julius Baer tightened relationship thresholds further across its global footprint.
- Vault vs BarclaysBarclays Private Bank (DIFC, Dubai)Minimum to qualifyBarclays Private Bank states clients typically need investable assets of at least £3M in the UK, or £5M (or local-currency equivalent) elsewhere — so the DIFC entry point is effectively ~£5M (~AED 23M+).
- Vault vs Emirates NBDEmirates NBD Private BankingMinimum to qualifyUSD 5,000,000 (or equivalent) in assets under management for Private Banking; lower tiers (Priority Banking) start considerably lower with reduced service.
- Vault vs FABFAB Private Banking (UAE)Minimum to qualifyFAB Elite (mass-affluent) requires AED 500,000 TRB or AED 50,000/month salary. Private Banking is invitation-only, with no minimum AUM publicly disclosed — eligibility is established via the Private Banking desk directly.
- Vault vs ADCBADCB Private Banking (UAE)Minimum to qualifyPrivilege Club from AED 200,000 TRB; Excellency from AED 500,000 TRB; Private Banking is invitation-only with no publicly disclosed AUM floor. Monthly maintenance fees apply if the relationship balance falls below tier.
Digital platforms and robo-advisors
Low minimums and model portfolios, with support rather than an assigned advisor. A reasonable fit while a position is simple, and the place most clients outgrow first.
- Vault vs SarwaSarwa (UAE robo-advisor)Minimum to qualifySarwa Invest and Sarwa Save have no stated minimum; Sarwa Trade has a USD 500 account minimum.
- Vault vs StashAwayStashAway (DIFC, Dubai)Minimum to qualifyNo stated minimum for General Investing portfolios. Alternatives (private equity, private credit, private infrastructure) start at USD 20,000.
- Vault vs WioWio Invest / Wio Wealth (UAE)Minimum to qualifyNo stated minimum to open. Investing accounts are funded directly from the Wio Personal current account.
- Vault vs BarakaBaraka (UAE investing app)Minimum to qualifyNo stated minimum balance. Fractional shares from USD 1.
Going direct
Self-directed execution at the custodian Vault itself uses. The trade is cost against having no plan, no advisor and no review cadence attached.
For scope rather than comparison, the service pages set out what Vault does at each level: Priority from USD 100,000,Private from USD 1 million, andfamily office services from USD 5 million. Readers weighing a bank specifically may wantthe private banking alternative page, which sets out what transfers to an independent advisor and what does not.
Why Vault
A wealth manager built around your interests, not the bank's.
Incentives
Advisor incentives aligned with portfolio growth.
Vault advisors are salaried with bonuses tied to client outcomes and retention. No commissions, no kickbacks, no in-house product flows.
Regulation
Regulated in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Vault Wealth Limited is regulated by the FSRA in ADGM. Vault Saudi Limited Company is licensed by the CMA (licence 25313-20).
Entry point
Starts at USD 100,000 in liquid net wealth.
A genuine private-wealth relationship without the seven-figure threshold that defines traditional private banking.
Investment access
Private markets in the satellite.
Beyond the diversified core, Vault clients access curated private-market opportunities, thematic strategies, and direct convictions — the same shelf as larger institutions.
Planning
Structured financial planning by a dedicated advisor.
Goals, cash flow, risk, and family wealth — modelled end-to-end and reviewed continuously with a CFA- or CFP-qualified advisor who knows your name.
Cash
Daily-yielding SmartCash, no lock-ins.
Multi-currency cash earning daily interest in USD, EUR, and GBP. Withdraw anytime — no teaser rates, no minimums, no surprises.
Bring us the comparison you are actually making
Book a complimentary session and bring whichever provider you are weighing us against. We will go through minimums, total cost and custody side by side, and put the numbers in writing.