National Bank of Abu Dhabi has set up a facility at a secret location to enable the lender to continue operating in the case of an emergency.
NBAD's business continuity centre allows the bank's employees to "continue their functions" and "support clients" if faced with unexpected events and adversity, the bank said.
The launch follows regular testing of connectivity and backup of NBAD's disaster recovery facilities, it added.
Last month, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) said it was building up its emergency planning with the target of being operational within 24 hours after a disaster.
"We want to ensure we have all our data backed up to ensure the rights of the investors are not compromised and for trading to continue," Rashed Al Baloushi, the bourse's chief executive, said last month.
The developments by NBAD and ADX are part of a national plan known as the "UAE 7000" by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority to synchronise emergency and disaster plans in the country. The authority was unavailable for comment yesterday.
"It's a natural development for a maturing economy," said Jaap Meijer, a director of equity research at Dubai-based Arqaam Capital.
"The UAE economy is getting bigger, and they want to make sure that if there is a fire, or a system breaks down, there is an alternative platform where businesses can continue the operation."
Trading on the New York Stock Exchange was halted for two days at the end of October after Hurricane Sandy when concerns about human safety and how well the bourse's back up plan would work convinced executives that opening was too risky.
The US securities and exchange commission may consider whether emergency processes need to be bolstered, Bloomberg reported in November.
"There are several lessons to be learnt from this event," NYSE Euronext told Bloomberg. "At a minimum, businesses learnt the importance of a well-prepared and tested business continuity plan. At NYSE Euronext, we are actively considering changes to our current disaster recovery model."
* with Bloomberg News
