Emirates NBD has opened its first paperless digital branch at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
The new branch aims to embody the bank’s “tech-plus-touch” ethos by offering both self-service and assisted banking solutions, powered by digital technology.
The branch features banking and payment solutions that will allow customers to carry out on their own a variety of transactions as well as apply for new products, and will be open 24×7.
The branch was inaugurated by Hesham Abdulla Qassim, Vice Chairman of Emirates NBD Group and Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA) and Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and CEO of DWTC.
“With a clear focus on being the digital banking leader in the UAE and wider region, Emirates NBD is making strategic investments in technologies that modernise both our front-end and back-end operations and transform us into a smart, connected bank within a smart economy,” said Qassim. “Our new paperless branch embodies a philosophy of offering customers a modern banking experience complemented by a strong human element.”
The branch has strived to have a modern look and feel, with LED walls showcasing self-service and assisted service solutions, in addition to touchscreens and tablets offering information and product guidance to customers.
Trained branch ambassadors are present to guide customers and to offer personalised assistance with accessing the right digital solutions for their transactions.
Pepper, the bank’s AI-powered humanoid robot is also a fixture, to provide customers with information about products and services as well as information on the bank’s various solutions through natural language conversation.
“Dubai World Trade Centre’s priorities are strategically aligned with the smart city and innovation agenda of Dubai and the UAE,” Almarri said. “Creating an enabling future-forward ecosystem within our venue – both from an infrastructure and services perspective – means that we strive to ensure the provision of the most digitally advanced, smart technologies and platforms that cater to the needs of our business visitors from around the world. Emirates NBD’s first paperless branch at Dubai World Trade Centre offering seamless and uninterrupted banking services and transactions to global visitors ultimately enhances our ability to continue to attract new and repeat international business travellers to Dubai.”
“We are evolving our branch network in tune with the changing needs of customers as they look to increasingly rely on self-service. We have fully digitalised several transactions including personal loan applications, credit card applications and soon account opening, allowing our staff to focus on offering customers personalised advice and assistance,” added Suvo Sarkar, senior executive vice president and head of retail banking and wealth management, Emirates NBD.
The new branch, fostered by the bank’s Future LabTM, is part of Emirates NBD’s AED 1 billion investment over the next three years towards its digital transformation programme.
