• First bank in UAE to introduce state-of-art cards to all customers
• Full range of cards available to Personal, Priority, Private and Business Banking clients

Dubai, February 10, 2010: Emirates NBD, the largest banking group in the Middle East in terms of assets, in association with Visa, announced today the launch of its complete suite of Chip enabled Debit Cards. The new Emirates NBD Visa Debit Card comes equipped with the latest in card technology with the new generation of CHIP cards.

The bank which launched its new brand in November 2009, also unveiled its complete suite of Debit cards which cater to suit the varying needs of its customers. The new range of cards include vanilla offerings to the Personal Banking segment, in addition to variants like Platinum Debit card targeted at the Priority Banking segment, Infinite Debit card targeted at the Private Banking segment and a Business Banking Debit card catering to the large SME segment.

“Emirates NBD is proud to again be the UAE’s leader in product and service innovation, launching the country’s newest and most secure debit cards with EMV chip technology. This Visa Chip Debit card has been launched to offer cardholders a payment card with enhanced chip features, combining the convenience of a chip-enabled card with a greater level of security, thus falling in line with our strategy to combat fraud.” said Jamal Bin Ghalaita, Group Deputy CEO, Emirates NBD.

“Also we have segmented our customer base and have thereby targeted the right Debit Card product to the right customer segment. This has been a key priority given that we are the market leader in Debit Cards and this is the fastest growing segment across the globe”, he added.

Kamran Siddiqi, Visa’s General Manager for GCC, Levant, Pakistan and Afghanistan said: ‘Visa is delighted to partner with Emirates NBD and enable Chip and Pin technology on the new suite of Debit cards. Chip and PIN technologies add an important security layer to transactions, bringing convenience, speed and peace of mind to cardholders and merchants alike. Emirates NBD now offers a full stable of Visa Debit products, from HNW cards to business Debit cards, enabling everyone to take advantage of the benefits that Debit offers.”

The Emirates NBD Visa chip debit cards are great alternatives to carrying cash. It eliminates the need to write cheques or use ATMs to withdraw cash. It is faster, more convenient and can be used to pay for all day to day purchases anywhere cardholders see the Visa Logo. And what’s more – with the new Chip and PIN technology, transactions are more secure than ever before. 

The Emirates NBD Visa Debit Cards can be used to shop online or at any domestic or overseas merchant displaying the Visa logo - over 40,000 in the UAE and more than 24 million retail outlets worldwide.  This card can also be used to withdraw cash or make other transactions at more than 650 Emirates NBD ATMs as well as at over a million ATMs world wide. Unlike a credit card, funds are deducted directly from the cardholder’s account and there are no monthly bill or interest charges. The new Emirates NBD Visa chip debit card has both a magnetic stripe as well as chip functionality. The card will offer Emirates NBD Debit cardholders increased security and will mitigate fraudulent and disputed payments. When making a purchase with their card, cardholders have the opportunity to key in their unique PIN, thereby validating their identity. Around the world payment cards and card terminals are becoming chip compliant.

All new cards issued since January have been equipped with the latest technology and Cards will be issued to existing customers on a renewal basis; Emirates NBD will contact customers when their card is ready for issue to arrange a convenient time to deliver. Million of chip cards in use in countries around the world today points to the way the bank card industry is heading. Being the largest bank in the UAE, Emirates NBD has made the first move to rollout chip cards on a large scale for its banking customers.

In line with bank’s commitment to reach out to customers in their local community

Dubai, March 9, 2010: Emirates NBD, the Middle East’s largest bank by asset size, held a community networking event at the newly opened The Residences branch in Downtown Dubai, adjacent to The Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa. The event enabled local residents and retailers to meet the manager of the branch, as well as other representatives from Emirates NBD.                                                                                                                                                                               

This event is in line with the bank’s commitment to engage more closely with existing and potential customers in their own communities, wherever they live or work.  The informal luncheon event brought together neighboring residents and business-owners, enabling them to network in a leisurely environment, as well as enjoy a day out with their families.

“We are pleased to have been able to welcome the local community to our open day event. It was an important occasion for Emirates NBD as we could meet in person with those who reside or have businesses in this popular business, residential and leisure district.” said Saif Al Mansoori-Head Group Business Marketing, Emirates NBD. “At Emirates NBD we strive to organise such community events wherever we see the opportunity, as they bring us closer to our customers and allow us to have a better understanding of their needs.

“This new branch at The Residences is one of four branches in the Burj Khalifa area, with two already situated inside Dubai Mall and one other at the Manzil residences, providing our customers with maximum convenience. The branches are in addition to the 16 ATMs spread conveniently throughout this bustling community, populated with people from diverse backgrounds,” he concluded.

With extended opening hours, The Residences branch is open from 9AM-9PM, Saturday to Thursday and offers the complete range of Emirates NBD personal and priority banking services.

Middle East’s leading bank extends further privileges to its cardholders

Dubai, February 6, 2010: In line with its ongoing commitment to provide its customers with a range of privileges, Emirates NBD, the largest banking group in the Middle East in terms of assets, announced today the launch of a special year-long offer for its cardholders, providing them with significant discounts at 50 leading restaurants in the UAE capital.

Under the terms of this unique promotion, Emirates NBD cardholders can simply pay with their debit or credit card at a 50 restaurants in Abu Dhabi – ranging from fine dining to Chinese, Indian, Mexican, Italian and others – to receive generous discounts on their bill. This special offer is available to all Emirates NBD cardholders until December 31, 2010.

In addition to dining discounts in Abu Dhabi, Emirates NBD also offers its cardholders up to 30 per cent discounts at more than 270 restaurants across the UAE, as well as a range of travel, entertainment and health and wellness privileges.

“We are very pleased to extend further benefits to our cardholders who live and work in the nation’s capital, underscoring our commitment to product and service excellence for our customers in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE,” said Abdulelah Al Kindy, Head of Retail Banking, Abu Dhabi Region, Emirates NBD.

“This exclusive offer is in addition the long list of privileges that Abu Dhabi customers already enjoy, “he continued, “such as reduced rates and room upgrades at hotels and resorts, discounts on spa, dental and beauty treatments as well as the annual membership of the Abu Dhabi Ladies Club.

“We encourage all our cardholder to explore the world of opportunities offered by Emirates NBD,” he continued. “Emirates NBD continues to make banking easier than ever for our customers in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, With our 13 branches and 48 ATMs and CDMs.”

For a complete list of privileges available to Emirates NBD cardholders, please visit: www.emiratesnbd.com/personalBanking/cards/privileges/.

• DIB Capital wins second consecutive accolade from emeafinance
• DIB honoured for commitment to corporate social responsibility

Dubai, March 6, 2010: In recognition of the excellence of both its investment banking and corporate social responsibility activities, Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) announced today that it has won two awards at the annual Middle East Banking Awards, which were held recently at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai.

For the second consecutive year, the bank’s wholly-owned investment banking subsidiary, DIB Capital, was named “Best Investment Bank” in the UAE by emeafinance, a leading international publication focused on financial markets in the Europe, Middle East and Africa regions. In addition, in acknowledgement of its sustained efforts to support individuals and communities in the UAE and across the Middle East, DIB has been named winner of the first-ever Pan-Arab emeafinance award for corporate social responsibility.

Since its establishment in 1975, Dubai Islamic Bank has made a significant contribution to a broad range of charitable organisations and community initiatives. In particular, the bank continues to play a leading role in the area of Emiratisation, supporting and developing the professional development of the local UAE population. Also of special note, the bank has taken the initiative of establishing the DIB Foundation, aimed at serving the UAE community and supporting those who face hardships and require humanitarian need, especially in the health, education and housing.

“Dubai Islamic Bank’s commitment to corporate social responsibility activities is fully in line with our larger mission of supporting the ambition of public organisations, private firms and individuals to realise their full potential,” said Abdulla Al Hamli, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Islamic Bank. “We firmly believe that, as a responsible corporate citizen, we have both an obligation and an opportunity to contribute to the betterment of communities across this young and vibrant region.”

Highlighting the strength of the bank’s investment banking franchise, despite challenging global conditions, Saad Zaman, Chief Executive Officer, DIB Capital, said: “By offering the widest possible range of Sharia-compliant capital raising, financial advisory and investment solutions, DIB Capital continues to set new benchmarks in meeting the evolving investment banking needs of our regional and global client base. We are grateful to emeafinance for recognising, for the second

consecutive year, our successful focus on innovation and customised end to end solutions for our customers.”

DIB continues to be recognised by its international peers for the excellence of its operations and innovative nature of its Sharia-compliant products and services. Most recently, the bank was named “Best Islamic Bank in the UAE” for the fifth consecutive year by Islamic Finance News.

• Sponsorship of event in line with commitment to supporting growth of SME sector in UAE and wider region

Dubai, March 3, 2010: Emirates NBD Business Banking, a provider of innovative products and services tailored to meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses, announced today that it served as a sponsor of “Why Personal Branding,” a seminar focused on the relationship between personal brand image and business.

Led by Lesley Everett, a leading authority on personal branding and executive presence, and the author of Walking TALL: Key Steps to Total Image Impact, this event provided practical insights into building a powerful and sustainable personal brand.

Emirates NBD Business Banking’s sponsorship of this one-time event comes in line with its commitment to supporting the growth of the SME sector in the UAE and wider region, explained Suvo Sarkar, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Retail Banking, Emirates NBD.

“In today’s extremely competitive environment, successfully building and maintaining a personal brand is critical to increasing the visibility of small and medium-sized businesses,” he said. “As the leading provider of products and services tailored to meet the needs of this segment, we are very pleased to provide our support for this unique event.”

Emirates NBD Business Banking provides customers with personal, dedicated and professional services through their assigned Relationship Manager, as well as a comprehensive range of products, preferential pricing, priority services and easy access, including access to online banking via smartBUSINESS.

• Offer available to all online banking customers between March 1-April 30, 2010
• Offer includes both local and international bank transfers
• Bank committed to increasing ease of access to customers

Dubai, February 28, 2010: As further evidence of its commitment to providing its customers relevant and convenient services, Emirates NBD, the largest banking group in the Middle East in terms of assets, announced today that it will be offering its online banking customers free telegraphic transfers.

The promotion will run from March 1–April 30, 2010, and is valid for all local and international bank transfers that are conducted via BankNet, Emirates NBD’s comprehensive online banking system.

“At Emirates NBD, our customers are our priority, and we remain committed to making banking a convenient experience for them. As pioneers of online banking in the UAE, we are delighted to introduce our new promotion that will enable our customers to make local and international transfers with no extra fee,” said Suvo Sarkar, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Retail Banking, Emirates NBD. “Emirates NBD’s BankNet is a complimentary, user-friendly service that is extremely efficient, offering our customers the option to conduct their banking needs from the comfort of their home.”

With no queues, no fees and 24-hour availability, BankNet is the ideal solution for customers wishing to conduct secure, fast and easy transactions without stepping into a branch, allowing them to view their account details, transfer funds, open accounts and order chequebooks and ATM/debit cards online.

“With 16 payment partners, including Etisalat, Du, SALIK, DEWA, RTA, Emaar Properties, Air Arabia and many others, banking with Emirates NBD is always convenient and hassle-free,” Sarkar said.

Other banking solutions offered by Emirates NBD include its new mobile banking facility, the latest addition to Emirates NBD’s numerous existing information technology channels, which also include online, telephone and PDA banking.

• Bank recognised for continuing operational excellence across all card-related products and services
• Quality management initiatives range from development and issuance of products to data maintenance for customers

Dubai, February 28, 2010: Underlining its ongoing commitment to global best practice in quality control, Dubai Bank today announced that it has been awarded the coveted ISO 9001:2008 status for its card operations across the UAE.  In being awarded this accreditation, the bank was evaluated on a range of international parameters, including development and issuance of products and services and maintenance of card-related transactional and non-transactional data for the benefit of its customers.

The bank’s card operations team embarked on the process for ISO certification at the start of 2009 with the implementation of a variety of initiatives to further enhance the bank’s operational excellence across its cards division.

In achieving the ISO 9001:2008 quality certification, the entire card operations of the bank was documented and then aligned to ISO standards, while continuing to be embedded into the bank’s overall procedures.  Formal training sessions were organised to acquaint staff with the new procedures and guidelines. The bank’s data management system was also upgraded to offer more sophisticated maintenance of data and facilitate better understanding of card-related services among customers.

“At Dubai Bank, quality is the most important component of our overall offering, and it guides each aspect of our product development and service,” said Hisham Hammoud, Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Bank. “The achievement of this globally-accepted quality benchmark is a validation of our ongoing efforts to enhance quality management across our entire suite of card products, in line with international best practice.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dubai Bank’s staff, and especially the bank’s covered card operations department for their efforts and contributions in achieving the ISO 9001:2008 certification,” said Fares Naouri, General Manager, TUV Rheinland Middle East FZE, an accredited third party and one of the largest inspection, verification, testing and certification organizations in the world.

“Dubai Bank has incorporated high standards in quality, which have transformed the bank into a leader in banking services. These quality factors will remain the Bank’s strong competitive advantage in the years ahead, as it continues to grow and deliver excellence in services.”

The ISO accreditation further highlights the bank’s commitment to delivering innovative and reliable card solutions to its customers. The Dubai Bank Covered Card was awarded the “Best Islamic Credit Card” at the Banker Middle East Awards 2009.

Abu Dhabi, February 27, 2009: In a move to provide its customers in Abu Dhabi with increased convenience, Emirates NBD announced today that two further branches have extended their opening hours in the nation’s capital. The bank’s Al Najda branch, located on Najda Street, and the Abu Dhabi main branch, located on Khalifa Street, both now offer additional convenient timings.  This is in addition to its two branches at Al Muhairy Centre and Electra branch, totaling to four Emirates NBD branches in the UAE capital that now operate until 8PM daily, six days a week.

The Middle East’s largest bank by asset size currently operates 13 branches and 48 ATMs and Cash Deposit Machines (CDMs) in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.   The bank intends to significantly increase its presence in the two cities in 2010, with a strategic expansion plan to be rolled out over the next 12 months.

Customers in Abu Dhabi can now take advantage of teller, retail and customer services during these extended timings, which will also be rolled out across other Abu Dhabi and Al Ain branches in the months to come.

The decision to increase the bank’s operating hours in the nation’s capital, according to Abdulelah Al Kindly, Head of Retail Banking, Abu Dhabi Region, Emirates NBD, comes in response to the busy lifestyles of residents, especially those who frequently work into the evening.

“At Emirates NBD, we are committed to providing the maximum level of convenience to our customers wherever they work and live” said Al Kindly. “By extending the operating hours of our Abu Dhabi main branch, Al Najda Branch, Muhairy Centre branch and the Electra branch, we are making life easier for our customers – and therefore making banking with Emirates NBD the obvious choice. In Abu Dhabi and Al Ain region, we also service our clients through nine Priority Banking Centers, one Private Banking Center and a Business Banking center which we are planning to open in the near future. 

“We recognise the importance of setting the highest standards in customer service and convenience,” he said. “Today’s announcement demonstrates that Emirates NBD continues to set benchmarks in this regard.”

• Distinctive investment product with built-in family takaful cover allows access to top perfoming funds
• Minimum required contribution of AED 100,000 or USD 30,000
• Investors can chose from range of managed and specialist funds; switch for free between existing funds and rebalance fund allocation levels
 
Dubai, February 24, 2010: Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) announced today the launch of Al Islami Muthmir, a distinctive investment plan that offers a built-in family takaful cover. The latest addition to DIB’s range of Sharia-compliant investment products, Al Islami Muthmir is a medium- to long-term plan that offers investors access to a range of top performing Sharia-compliant funds.

Ideal for high net worth individuals, Al Islami Muthmir is a single contribution investment plan with a minimum contribution of AED 100,000 or USD 30,000 and no fixed term. Based on the Wakalah principle of Islamic banking, the plan allows customers to invest in a selection of funds based on their investment needs and risk appetite, and can be partially or fully withdrawn at any time.

“Creating and managing an investment portfolio is challenging under any circumstances, and now more than ever. Prudent investors today are looking for options to maximise their potential returns, while seeking protection against downside risks,” said Dr. Adnan Chilwan, Chief of Retail and Business Banking, Dubai Islamic Bank. “The Al Islami Muthmir plan offers customers a range of Sharia compliant investment options with a family takaful cover that protects the contributed amount in the case of death.

“The fast pace of today’s world means that our customers’ needs are also dynamic and evolving. We are in constant touch with our customers and remain committed to offering innovative products to fulfill their lifestyle requirements. DIB’s investment products have met with immense success over the years, and we are confident that our customers will take advantage of the combined benefits of takaful and investment returns offered by the Al Islami Muthmir plan,” Chilwan added

Through Al Islami Muthmir, customers may invest in a wide range of managed and specialist funds, switch without cost between funds, and choose automatic fund re-balancing to maintain fund allocation levels.

The Al Islami Muthmir plan offers a built-in family takaful cover providing, a lump sum payment if the covered member passes away. The payment is equivalent to 101 per cent of the single contribution amount or the fund value, whichever is greater. The minimum age to enroll in the plan is 18 years and the maximum age is 70 years. The maximum age at the maturity of plan is 85 years.

• Significant recognition for Emirates NBD in annual survey of private bankers worldwide
• Fourth such accolade for Emirates NBD Private Banking, following string of similar awards

Dubai, February 24, 2010: Emirates NBD Private Banking, a provider of bespoke wealth management solutions, announced today that it has been named the “Best Local Bank in the UAE” in the 2010 Euromoney Private Banking Survey, which is based primarily on the views of private banking professionals from across the world. This is the fourth time that Emirates NBD Private Banking has received this significant mark of industry recognition from one of the world’s leading financial services titles.

The Euromoney Private Banking Survey is a unique guide to the leading wealth management firms in over 70 countries worldwide. In addition to polling the opinions of private banking professionals, these rankings take into consideration criteria such as assets under management, ratio of clients to relationship managers, and range of services offered.

The top ranking in the 2010 Euromoney Private Banking Survey follows a string of similar accolades for Emirates NBD, including “Outstanding Private Bank in the Middle East” by Private Banker International, “Best Private Bank – Middle East” by Arabian Business, “Best Emerging Market Bank” and “Best Bank in the UAE” by Global Finance, and “Best Bank in the UAE” by Banker Middle East.

“Based on our global knowledge and depth of experience in the region, while drawing upon the heritage and leading retail banking franchise of the Emirates NBD Group, we continue to explore innovative strategies to nurture and grow our clients’ wealth,” said Jamal Bin Ghalaita, Group Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Emirates NBD. “We are very grateful to Euromoney, and to our peers across the world, for this important recognition of our achievements in that regard.”

“Emirates NBD Private Banking provides exclusive services for its clients in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, London, Jersey and is planning to begin operations in Singapore 2010.” said Robbert Jan Voogt, General Manager, Private Banking, Emirates NBD. “In line with the Emirates NBD Group’s expansion strategy, the bank intends to further increase its private banking reach and range of wealth management solutions. “

“Emirates NBD Private Banking provides clients with a dedicated private banker and investment professionals, offering a portfolio of innovative services across all asset classes, including real estate advisory, trusts and a full range of Sharia-compliant products and services,” continued Voogt