Enables bank customers to remit money globally to Western Union branches through Emirates NBD ATMs in the UAE

In line with bank's strategy to offer efficient services and ensure customer convenience

Western Union money transfer service is also available online through Emirates NBD Online Banking

Dubai, May 01, 2013

Emirates NBD, a leading bank in the region, is the first bank in the region that announces today the launch of the Western Union® Money Transfers services on its 715 ATMs network across the UAE, giving customers the benefit to send money from their accounts to any Western Union Branch anywhere in the world without having to physically visit a teller.

The new remittance service through Emirates NBD ATMs further builds on the online Western Union Remittance service already available via Emirates NBD Online Banking. This service will continue to be available to customers as an alternate option for foreign remittance services. Additionally, until July 4th, Emirates NBD customers will pay no fees for using the service, as part of special introductory offer.

"With the UAE population comprising of a majority of expatriates, there is always a strong market need for remittance services across the world," said Suvo Sarkar, General Manager - Retail Banking at Emirates NBD. "The launch of the Western Union Remittance Service on the largest network of ATMs in the UAE is in line with Emirates NBD's strategy to provide secure, speedy and efficient money transfer services that customers can use at their own convenience. Our partnership with Western Union allows us to use their well-established remittance platforms, while at the same time further improve our customer service through leveraging new age online technologies."

"Western Union already has one of the largest networks in the UAE with over 700 locations, with the addition of the ATM network, access to WU for Emirates NBD customers has doubled. This is first of many ATMs launches we are hoping to introduce into the region, and it makes sense that we pioneer this in the UAE with such a leading bank," said Sobia Rahman, Regional Vice President, Gulf, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Western Union. "The launch will be supported with a two months campaign where customers will have the fee* waived if sending from the ATM network for a promotional period. As our customer needs and lifestyles are changing, Western Union is committed to be part of that change."

Emirates NBD introduced the new Western Union Remittance service in 2011, becoming the first bank in the Middle East to launch the service. The partnership with Western Union was aimed at enabling all Emirates NBD account holders to send money domestically and internationally, through Online Banking and ATMs Money transferred through this service is available for payout at any Western Union Branch location in over 200 countries and territories.

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* Western Union also makes money on currency exchange

About Emirates NBD:
Emirates NBD is a leading banking Group in the region. As at 31st December 2012, total assets were AED 308.3 billion. The Group has a leading retail banking franchise in the UAE, with over 149 branches and over 721 ATMs and CDMs.  It is a major player in the UAE corporate banking arena and has strong Islamic banking, Global Markets & Treasury, Investment Banking, Private Banking, Asset Management and Brokerage operations.

The Group has operations in the UAE, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Jersey (Channel Islands), and representative offices in India, Iran and Beijing.

The Group is an active participant and supporter of the UAE's main development initiatives and of the various educational, environmental, cultural, charity and community welfare establishments. For more information, please visit: www.emiratesnbd.com

For further information, please contact:
Hassan Al Khuwaildi/ Hala Zamani
Communications
Group Marketing, Emirates NBD
Tel: 971-4-6093459/ 971-4--6093458
Mob: 971 50 7454454/ 971 50 8595599
Email: hassanAl@emiratesnbd.com/ halaZ@emiratesnbd.com

Sudha Chandran/ Hiba Moussa
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Dubai, UAE
Tel: 971-4-4507600
Fax: 971-4-4358040
Email: sudha.chandran@bm.com/ hiba.moussa@bm.com

© Press Release 2013