Abu Dhabi (December 10, 2011) - The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), the Number One Bank in the UAE, in collaboration with MasterCard Worldwide, today launched the co-branded NBAD GEMS MasterCard Titanium Credit Card, a ground-breaking card that offers superior value to parents of GEMS Education network.

The card is made from 100% biodegradable material, which is the first of its kind in the UAE. This card is co-branded with GEMS Education, the largest private education provider with 29 schools across the UAE, and offers cardholders who're parents with additional value and convenience when making their child's school or day-to-day payments.

"GEMS Education is extremely pleased to collaborate with the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) and MasterCard to offer our parents more financial flexibility and easy payment options through the introduction of a co-brand card," said Richard Forbes, Director of Marketing and Communications, GEMS Education. "This collaboration builds on our commitment to pass on to our parents and students the benefits of GEMS Education's long and fruitful association with reputable financial institutions like NBAD and with MasterCard."

Eyad Al-Kourdi, vice president and country manager of UAE, MasterCard Worldwide said, "We are delighted to have joined forces with GEMS Education and the National Bank of Abu Dhabi to launch theirCo-brand MasterCard card catered to meet the financial needs of parents. At MasterCard, we are committed to financial education around the world, which is why together with our customers; we create a range of financial programs tailored to further educate consumers on the wealth of benefits payment tools provide."

Suvo Sarkar, the General Manager of Consumer & Elite Banking at NBAD, said:"GEMS card reflects NBAD's practice of teaming up with the right partners and working methodically to develop a product that delivers true value for consumers. In addition to the financial values it offers, this card contributes to sustainability principles, instills financial responsibility in cardholders and encourages them to be proactive within their community." .

The benefits offered to cardholdersinclude;

  • Up to 11% discount on advance payment of school tuition with  0% Easy Payment Plan when paid with the card,

  • Education Protection coverage of up to AED500,000 per child,

  • The ability to earn NBAD Stars on purchases made with the card

  • Special offers at numerous leading F&B and family entertainment venues  across the UAE, such as Magic Planet, Ski Dubai, Atlantis, Al Sayegh Brothers Group, Café Ceramique, Sega Republic, iFLY Dubai, and many other leading merchants.

  • No annual fees

  • The card also entitles them to roadside assistance and access to airport lounges in Dubai, Cairo, Kuwait City, Jeddah& Riyadh.

In addition, GEMS cardholders benefit from free credit of up to 51 days, competitive interest rates, convenient minimum payment of 5%, access to cash, 0% easy payment plan (EPP) option, balance transfer facility and travel benefits.

In line with launching the card programme, a competition was held for GEMS students to submit their own artwork, which would become the design of the card. The panel judging the submissions selected a 9th grader's design, which showcased artistic talent, as the face of the Co-brand Credit Card.

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About GEMS Education
GEMS Education has a global network of award winning schools. With over 50 years of experience in education, GEMS provides high quality holistic education to over 100,000 students from 140 countries. It employs over 10,000 education professionals, specialists and staff from around the world.

The GEMS approach to learning focuses not only on academic excellence, but also in helping students develop their character and creativity so that they achieve their full potential as human beings. 

The GEMS Education school model is unique in the world because it offers a broad range of curricula across a range of tuition fees making private education more accessible to the broader community.

GEMS Education also supports Governments' education reform agenda by working with Ministries of Education to lift school performance and improve the standards and expertise of government schools across the globe.

GEMS Education has offices in the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, India and Singapore.

NOTE:

GEMS students have been accepted to 567 universities from 36 countries over the past three years.

GEMS students have won over 300 international and regional awards over the past decade.

About NBAD
The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), The Number One Bank in UAE, was incorporated in 1968 and is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), under stock code (NBAD).

Ranked as one of the top 50 safest banks in the world, NBAD currently operates across 13 countries on four continents.

NBAD has a network of 116 branches and 483 ATMs to provide banking services to customers all over the UAE.

Besides brick & mortar branches, NBAD provides 24 hour internet banking access through NbadOnline and NbadDirect, the SMS-based payment service (Arrow) as well as account access and personalised customer support through its 24-hour Call Centre.

NBAD's overseas network stretches from Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain in the G.C.C.; Egypt, Libya, and Sudan in Africa; UK, France, and Switzerland in Europe; Hong Kong and Jordan in Asia to Washington, D.C. in the U.S.A. Overall, NBAD has nearly 50 branches and 60 ATMs outside the UAE.

NBAD provides its customers with a wide variety of financial services targeting all segments of the consumer and corporate markets.

NBAD is rated senior long term/short term A+/A-1 by Standard and Poor's, Aa3/P1 by Moodys and AA-/F1+ by Fitch giving it one of the strongest combined rating of any Middle Eastern financial institution.

For further enquires, please contact:
Ehab Khairi
Media & PR Manager
National Bank of Abu Dhabi
Tel: +97126111190
Email: ehab.khairi@nbad.com
Web: www.nbad.com

About MasterCard Worldwide
MasterCard (NYSE: MA) is a global payments and technology company.  It operates the world's fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard's products and solutions make everyday commerce activities - such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances - easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Learn more at www.mastercard.com, follow us on Twitter @mastercardnews or join the conversation on The Heart of Commerce Blog.

© Press Release 2011