Emirates NBD Announces A Strategic Agreement With Flydubai

Emirates NBD, the region’s leading retail banking institution in terms of assets, proudly announces a strategic agreement with flydubai, which will facilitate ticket payments through its vast electronic banking channels.

flydubai is Dubai’s first low cost airline and began commercial operations with flights to Beirut on June 1, 2009. The airline has since begun flights to Amman, on June 2, Damascus on June 8 and Alexandria on June 9.

This agreement, which came into effect in June 2009, is the most recent from a series of initiatives developed by Emirates NBD that has lent support to the UAE government and its various programmes, and adds a new dimension of convenience to the lives of frequent travelers.

With this new partnership, customers booking flights online at www.flydubai.com can pay for their flights through Internet Banking, ATMs, Cash Deposit Machines, via SMS and phone banking services, as well as at the 110 bank branches throughout the UAE.

On this occasion, Jamal Bin Ghalaita, Deputy CEO at Emirates NBD said, “We are proud of our agreement with flydubai, as it facilitates tickets purchase and payment through our electronic banking network, which is the largest in the region; it also gives us yet another opportunity to provide the citizens and residents of the UAE with a service that offers them absolute convenience.”

“Like all UAE government programmes, flydubai is a visionary airline that will provide travelers with an affordable option to travel around the GCC region, and we will continue to contribute in adding more benefiots and options to flydubai services through our extensive electronic network consisting of eBanking, SMS Banking, ATMs, CDMs and others,” he added.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, said: “At flydubai we are committed to making travel a little less complex, a little less stressful and a little less expensive. It is important to us to make it as easy as possible for our customers to book and pay for their tickets. Partnering with Emirates NBD ensures we are able to offer our customers a stress free and easily accessible means of paying for their flights.”

flydubai, will cover a region of some two billion inhabitants located within a 4.5hrs flight time from Dubai. It will support Dubai’s commercial and tourism sectors by serving a particular demographic of travelers and will give them an affordable air link to popular, high-demand destinations.

The flydubai model is simple, with customers paying for the services they want. The ticket price includes all taxes and a generous hand baggage allowance of 10kg. From there, customers are able to select other services at an additional charge. flydubai will operate from an enhanced and modernised Terminal 2 on the north side of Dubai International Airport.

Dubai Trade adds Mashreq to its centralised e-payment gateway Rosoom

Dubai Trade, the innovative online platform of Dubai World, has signed an agreement with Mashreq, a premier bank in the UAE, to offer the bank’s Direct Debit Services to clients using Dubai Trade’s e-payment services.The partnership, the first of its kind to offer dual sign-in facility, enables customers of Dubai Trade’s centralized e-payment gateway ROSOOM to use Mashreqbusinessonline, Mashreq bank’s online Direct Debit Services platform, to settle their monetary transactions with global marine terminal operator DP World and Jebel Ali Free Zone, Jafza.The agreement was signed on June 3 by Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, in his capacity as Member of Board of Dubai Trade, and Yasmeen Javaid, Divisional Manager – Transaction Banking Services, Corporate & Investment Banking Group, Mashreq in the presence of Mahmood Al Bastaki, Director of Dubai Trade.The online payment service enables real-time transfer of funds from the customer’s Mashreq account to the accounts of DP World and Jafza.It is the first model of its kind that facilitates dual sign-in, enabling customers to access both services at the same time and make payments by simply using internet banking credentials.ROSOOM offers customers multiple transaction methods to settle their bills. This secure, single-window electronic facility helps them save on time and cost.Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, and Member of Board of Dubai Trade, said:"The partnership with Mashreq bank brings added value to all stakeholders. Our strategy has always been customer centric and we believe our association with Mashreq will further enhance this approach."Mahmood Al Bastaki, Director of Dubai Trade, said: "Dubai Trade is pleased to be associated with Mashreq on its Direct Debit Services. Our central e-payment gateway has by now become one of the most preferred online platforms for customers in their dealings with Jebel Ali Port and the Free Zone, and Dubai Customs. The agreement with Mashreq on the new dual sign-in model is another major step that brings these companies and their customers closer. At Dubai Trade, our primary aim is to serve our customers better by utilising technology, and ultimately benefiring trade in the emirate."Omar Bouhadiba, Head of Corporate and Investment Banking, Mashreq said: "We are proud to partner with Dubai World group, which includes some of the biggest companies in the country, to serve our customers better. Mashreq’s online payment platform ensures efficiency at the highest level. This agreement enables our customers to use Dubai Trade’s excellent e-payment services that have won wide acclaim for their user-friendliness and high technical standards."

Dubai Bank launches “Amirah” services for female customers

Creates exclusive area in branches for female customers to carry out banking transactions Initial introduction in RAK with planned expansion to six other locations in UAE Establishes dedicated team of female customer service personnel Ladies-only branches to be set up next yearDubai Bank today announced the launch of a new service for its female customers. “Amirah” (meaning princess in Arabic) is the bank’s new ladies banking services, which provides enhanced, targeted and more personalised services to the women that bank with them. As part of the new service, the bank has created exclusive areas within some of its branches, enabling women to carry out their banking transactions with greater comfort and privacy.Amirah has initially been launched in the Ras Al Khaimah branch of Dubai Bank, with plans to expand to six other locations across the UAE over the course of the year.  Dubai Bank also plans to establish eight to ten “Ladies Only” sections and branches by the end of 2010.
 
Mohammad Amiri, Head of Retail Banking group at Dubai Bank, said: “Over the past few years, the number of Dubai Bank’s female customers has risen significantly. Women are playing an increasingly active role in financial transactions for themselves, their families and businesses. They are also seeking more personalised services. Amirah is our first step towards meeting these needs, to help them bank with added ease and comfort while adhering to core Islamic values.”The bank will support its Amirah customers with a dedicated team of female banking professionals, who will provide operational assistance as well as advisory services relating to personal wealth management and commercial ventures.He added: “There is immense demand from our female customers for a more personalised service. Our new initiative, Amirah, will help women customers experience our world-class products and services within a more discrete setting. We are confident that this will greatly appeal to women of all ages and social backgrounds.”He concluded that customer service will continue to be a key focus of Dubai Bank.
 

Mashreq and YES Bank Launches Global Indian Banking Services

In a move to strengthen its service offering to Mashreq Gold customers in the UAE, Mashreq today announced a strategic alliance with YES Bank, India’s new age private sector bank to launch Global Indian Banking (GIB) Services across the UAE with its signature YES First Wealth Management Program. The partnership will allow Mashreq Gold customers in the UAE to open GIB (Global Indian Banking) Non Resident External (NRE), GIB Non Resident Ordinary Rupee (NRO) savings accounts, GIB NRE Fixed deposits, GIB NRO Fixed deposits, GIB FCNR deposits amongst others.YES BANK will provide Mashreq Gold customers the finest banking experience through YES FIRST- the Premier Wealth Management programme from YES BANK in the UAE & India through its 107 branches across 88 locations. Once the respective GIB account is activated, customers will be able to directly interact with YES Bank thereby allowing easy access and management of funds located in India without being charged for remittances.The YES FIRST programme aims at providing customized solutions for multiple investment opportunities in India through a range of innovative products and advisory services. These innovations allow customers to invest in mutual funds across 29 Asset Management Companies operating in India, pay utility bills to over 100 Indian billers, amongst others. Additionally, Mashreq Gold customers can now aggregate their multiple online saving, loan, investment, credit card accounts among others through their GIB account. This exclusive service provides customers complete control of their finances while enabling them to evaluate their net worth on a periodic basis.Douglas Beckett, Head of Retail Banking, Mashreq said: “Through this alliance, we are offering a more convenient package to customers who wish to continue banking in their home country without the complications associated with banking from abroad. As a market leader we are committed to continual improvement in all aspects of our business and with this new partnership we will be able to further reinforce product offer, service and delivery to our customers.”Commenting on the new strategic partnership, Mr. Arun Agrawal, President & Global Head – International Banking at YES BANK said: “YES BANK is delighted to offer Mashreq Gold customers a consistent superior service experience through a range of products and services. The Bank is committed to executing a concerted cross border strategy by continuously launching innovative solutions that enhances customer satisfaction and increases focus on providing convenience and choice to clients. This partnership enables us to further enhance our product suite and offer customized & holistic products to our clientele in the UAE”Additional benefits offered to Mashreq Gold customers via the YES FIRST Programme include:YES FIRST International GOLD Debit Card: Enhanced spending and ATM withdrawal limits of up to INR 100,000 per day. Unlimited cash withdrawals at over 1 million MasterCard ATMs and 25 million Point of Sale terminals worldwide and to over 30,000 ATMs and 350,000 Point of Sale terminals in India free-of-cost for life.
Airport Lounge Facilities: Exclusive access to premium ‘Clipper Lounges’ at all International airports.
Business Lounge Facilities: Access to exclusive YES FIRST Business Lounges at flagship YES BANK branches in India.
Personalized Wealth Management Services: Integrated, expert and proactive advice on a wide range of financial products, encompassing Mutual Funds, Life and General Insurance, Real Estate, Art and Structured Products through a dedicated Relationship Manager. Comprehensive services include risk profiling, asset allocation, investment monitoring and portfolio rebalancing amongst others.
Net Banking: Online fund transfers through RTGS and NEFT, bill payments, online funding of brokerage accounts, E-shopping, Online Travel Reservations
Convenience of complimentary doorstep banking while in India
Value added services: Concierge Services, Medical Assistance, Home Assistance, Automobile Assistance and Travel Assistance in India.
Mashreq has enjoyed significant growth with the launch of innovative products and constantly looks for opportunities through which it can provide distinctive financial solutions to its customers. This partnership reinforces Mashreq’s premier position and underlines its reputation as the most convenient bank in the UAE.