Abu Dhabi (23 May 2013):National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), the Number One Bank in the UAE, graduated 253 employees who successfully completed Al Manara, a branch management and operations training programme.

The Al Manara Programme is a certification curriculum focused on key knowledge, skills and behaviours required for successful branch management as well as operations.  During this phase, branch managers were trained to ultimately think and act as 'CEO' of their branch. 

"Customersare the core of our business. This programme equips NBAD staff with the needed knowledge and skills to ensure that they deliver outstanding customer service to all our clients and meet and exceed their expectations. It also offers the best international practiceswhich we can implement to develop world-class serviceacross all products and service channels and achieve our vision to be the World's Best Arab Bank," said Abdulla Bin Khalaf Al Otaiba, the Senior General Manager of the Domestic Banking Divisionand Islamic Bankingof NBAD.

The NBAD Al Manara certification programme targets the five key roles in branches. Each role has a learning roadmap which outlines the specific knowledge and skill required for success. The programmes are designed at an international level and standard as they are globally accredited from well-known accreditation bodies. They are delivered at the state-of-the-art NBAD Academy on a variety of subjects from customer service, to leadership and coaching.  Participants also have an opportunity to exchange ideas and experience with their peers. The programme aims to motivate the NBAD branch staff, ensure compliance, improve technical knowledge and enable each person to achieve career aspirations. 

"The Al Manara certification programme is part of NBAD's 'Learning Culture,' to which NBAD has invested significant resources," said Ehab Anis Hassan, the Group Chief Human Resources officer of NBAD. "The NBAD Learning Culture serves two objectives; one, to assure that NBAD is a leader in product development and the service; and two, to offer career development to our valued employees by expanding and optimising their skills." 

A strategic pillar in NBAD Learning Culture is the NBAD Academy. The state-of-the-art facility inaugurated in 2009 resembles a university, with modern classrooms, high tech electronics, a simulated branch in addition to a cafeteria and library. 

To achieve these goals, NBAD has a dedicated Learning & Development team to oversee the Bank's many education and training programmes. The group brings the most qualified educators to teach courses in banking and career development for the NBAD staff. 

The graduation ceremony was held at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel in Abu Dhabi with the presence of NBAD's senior management. Top Ten employees were awarded for their outstanding performance and achievement.

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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 since 2009, NBAD currently operates across 19 countries on five continents. NBAD has a network of 124 branches and more than 570 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 China and Hong Kong in Far East to Malaysia in Southeast; Oman, UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain in the G.C.C.; Jordan and Lebanon in the Levant; Egypt, Sudan, South Sudan and Libya in Africa; France, Switzerland,  Channel Islands, and UK in Europe; Brazil in South America, and the USA in North America. NBAD has a strategy to expand to 41 countries by 2022.

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 & Poor's (S&P), Aa3/P1 by Moody's, AA-/F1+ by Fitch, A+ by Rating and Investment Information Inc (R&I) Japan, and AAA by RAM (Malaysia) , giving it one of the strongest combined rating of any Middle Eastern financial institution.

For further enquires, please contact:
Fadeela Sultan
Tel: +97126111511
Email: fadeela.mohamed@nbad.com 

© Press Release 2013