Global financial firms mandate remote work in Abu Dhabi following regional security escalation

Top hedge funds and banks move Abu Dhabi staff to remote work as the UAE intercepts hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones following strikes on Iran.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 4, 2026, 4:11 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Hedgeweek

Precautionary Shift to Remote Operations

Leading global hedge funds, including Brevan Howard, Marshall Wace, and TCI Fund Management, have mandated remote work for their employees in Abu Dhabi. This move is a direct response to the escalating security risks in the Persian Gulf following the joint United States and Israeli military offensive against Iran. Firms are reportedly following a broader recommendation from UAE authorities for private sector employees to utilize work from home arrangements to ensure personal safety during the ongoing period of aerial instability.

Scale of Aerial Threats in the Emirates

Local officials in the United Arab Emirates have confirmed that air defense systems have been highly active since the start of the conflict. Since late February, more than 160 missiles and 500 drones have been intercepted over Emirati territory. Despite these successful interceptions, the conflict has exacted a human toll; as of March 1, three people have been killed and 58 others wounded in the UAE. The targeting of Abu Dhabi and Dubai marks a significant widening of the war's geographic scope, directly impacting one of the world’s fastest growing financial hubs.

Banking Sector Response to Conflict Risks

The transition to remote work is not limited to the hedge fund industry. Major international banking institutions, including Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan Chase, have issued similar advisories to their UAE based personnel. Asset management giants such as BlackRock and DWS Group have also implemented contingency plans to protect their staff. While some firms, such as Verition, have reportedly kept their Dubai offices open, the majority of the financial services sector in the emirate is moving toward a defensive posture to mitigate the risks of "collateral damage" from intercepted projectiles.