Private Banking Clients See Saeed Suhail's Colours Ridden to Victory at Ascot

United Arab Emirates, Dubai, 14th September 2008 - The Emirates NBD Cup, a highly competitive mile handicap with a prize money offer of £45,000, provided a thrilling focal point for approximately 70 of the company's Private Banking clients who were entertained at Ascot races this summer. 

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance & Industry, was among many distinguished international visitors to the meeting, which featured the Group 1 King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Europe's mid-summer middle-distance championship, and attracted a crowd in excess of 25,000.

Emirates NBD guests enjoyed first class hospitality and stunning views of the course from an exclusive private chalet hosted by Sulamain Al Mazroui, Executive Vice-President Group Marketing, Duncan Steele-Bodger, Director and Head of Private Banking in London and Abdul Latif Al Mulla. 

During lunch BBC television sports presenter Rishi Persad, fulfilling his final horseracing assignment before flying to Beijing to present the BBC's coverage of the Olympic Games, provided guests with expert analysis and a preview of the day's action on the track.

The Emirates NBD Cup was won by Perfect Stride owned by prominent UAE businessman Saeed Suhail and trained in Newmarket by Sir Michael Stoute.

Given a splendid ride by jockey Ryan Moore, the three-year-old colt left a disappointing run in the 2,000 Guineas 12 weeks ago well behind him to score an impressive three-lengths victory over the hot favourite, Yaddree.

The winning owner's trophy was received in the absence of Saeed Suhail by his racing manager, former top jockey Bruce Raymond.

Mr. Jamal Bin Ghalaita said, "We know that Emirates NBD Private Banking clients welcome the opportunity to meet with each other and interact socially in high quality environments.  Ascot Racecourse, and its commitment to providing the best possible service to its customers fits well with our own corporate philosophy. Emirates NBD exudes the finest in banking service quality in the region. Conveniently located in the heart of Knightsbridge, Emirates NBD Private Banking office in London provides our clients with a full customized wealth management offering. Although our Private Banking clients are predominantly linked to the UAE - economically, socially and culturally - their wealth is typically invested globally and we are on hand to support them."

Laa Rayb, owned by Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, provided the shock result of the day when winning the ultra-competitive totesport International Stakes at odds of 18-1.

-Ends-

About Emirates NBD
Emirates NBD (DFM: ENBD) is the biggest banking group in the Middle East by assets.  The Group has a leading retail banking franchise in the UAE, with over 115 branches and over 487 ATMs.  It is a major player in the UAE corporate banking arena, with a combined market share of almost a fifth of corporate loans. It also has strong Islamic banking, investment banking, private banking, asset management and brokerage operations. The Group has operations in the UAE, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Kingdom and Jersey (Channel Islands), and representative offices in India, Iran and Singapore.

About National Bank of Dubai
Founded in 1963, National Bank of Dubai is the oldest, locally incorporated bank in the Southern Gulf. Known as the bank with a performance that is second-to-none, NBD has built a reputation of stability and strength much appreciated by shareholders and customers alike. Recognizing this leading performance, NBD has been awarded with the Dubai Quality Award for the year 2005.

Offering diversified financial services, NBD is a leader in corporate banking. Its portfolio covers a wide range of services including transport, real estate, construction, manufacturing, tourism and service industries throughout the region. In addition, NBD's private banking services, offer highly tailored solutions to preserve and protect the personal wealth of its customers. Furthermore, NBD offers customers automated banking services, which consist of an internet service (NBD Online), a telebanking facility (NBD Telebank), an SMS based service (NBD Mobile) and an online brokerage trading in UAE shares through its subsidiary, NBD Securities.

NBD also recently established NBD Investment Bank which is its' investment arm operating from DIFC.  With a comprehensive card portfolio that provides an array of benefits, NBD has, over the years, built a wide ATM network as well as Point of Sale terminals in select locations throughout the UAE.

National Bank of Dubai currently has an extensive branch network that includes 39 branches throughout the UAE. In addition, NBD also has a branch in London and Qatar as well as a representative office in Tehran.

About Emirates Bank
Emirates Bank is the flagship institution of the Emirates Bank Group and epitomizes the dynamism of the group. Since inception in 1977, the bank has constantly strived to offer cutting-edge corporate and retail products and services, supported by investments in technology and a commitment to service excellence. The bank's Consumer Banking division offers a full range of products and services comprising accounts, deposits, loans, cards, mortgages, investments and insurance, to meet the customer's every financial need. In addition, its priority banking customers can benefit from relationship management support, specialized products, and other advantages, through the Al Shaheen Club. Emirates Bank has one of the largest branch and ATM networks in the country providing customers with easy and convenient access. Customers can also bank 24 hours through online and phone banking, as well as benefit from a wide variety of bill payment options.

For more information, visit www.emiratesbank.ae.

Distributed: London, UK July, 2008 

For more press information please contact: 
Zeina El Haj     
Head of Marketing, Communication & Events
For Consumer Banking & Wealth Management
Emirates NBD
Tel: 04 209 2669
Fax: 04 2329147
Email: ZeinaH@emiratesbank.ae

Aya Elamine
Account Manager- PR
tamra-c2
T: 04 295 1177
F:04 295 1188
Email: aya@tamra-c2.com

© Press Release 2008