Fully automated service offers customers convenient access

Dubai, October 03 2004: Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) today unveiled the launch of its Electronic Branch ‑ a fully automated self-service facility for customers ‑ during Gitex 2004 at the Dubai World Trade Center. The Bank will be opening eight Electronic Branches by the end of 2006.

The futuristic, fully automated facility offers DIB customers immediate access to a full range of services. They can even open additional accounts without speaking to any of the bank's staff. Saad Abdul Razak, DIB's Deputy Chief Executive Officer, said: " DIB is participating in GITEX 2004 under the theme ' A New World of Banking '. The 'Electronic Branch' reflects DIB's drive to offer unique services that go hand in hand with the latest technologies.

The Electronic Branch is a unique concept that integrates all banking services through automated processes in convenient locations, with the option of offering human assistance when needed.

"Our aim is to minimise our customer's reliance on traditional banking processing. It increases the efficiency of our banking services and the quality of our products. Further more, it decreases the running cost of the bank, which will totally reflect in DIB's services and products' prices.

The Electronic Branch enables DIB customers to open savings, current and investment deposit accounts without any human interaction. These customers can

get instant delivery of checkbooks and ATM cards to manage their accounts. Further more, they can deposit cash and checks, transfer funds and have access to Internet banking services, mobile/SMS banking services and Instant Bill Payment Service and e-Murabaha.

Abdullah Al Hamili, Executive Vice President - support services, said: "Our Electronic Branch is the outcome of a series of studies we conducted that looked at customers needs within the UAE.

"The multiple service concept offered at convenient locations saves time, minimises documentation, and increases efficiency for our customers even after the bank's working hours. It also provides fully automated secure transactions and guarantees privacy in accessing and operating banking services." 

-Ends-

Note to Editors:
Established on 1975, Dubai Islamic Bank is considered to be the first Islamic bank in the world that has implemented the principles of Islam in all its practices. It was founded with the active assistance of the UAE Government, the Central Bank and the people of the UAE. The economic and business philosophy of Islam encourages generation and sharing of profits. However, it forbids giving or taking of interest. Leveraging the strengths of Islamic business and economic concepts on one hand and state-of-the-art banking technology on the other, DIB creates partnerships with its customers to generate profits, which are then shared with them. DIB has created a vast array of Islamic banking and finance products to suit every conceivable need of its customer

For further information, please contact:
Sameh Hamtini/ Daniel Camara
ASDA'A Public Relations
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971-4-3344550
Fax: +971-4-3344556
E-mail: info@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2004