FGB leads market trend of increasing personalisation in banking

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18 January 2016
Bank launches customisable 'Accelerator' Programme

Abu Dhabi, January 18 2016: Driven by its research initiatives to identify customer needs, FGB is launching today a new relationship ecosystem 'Accelerator'. This customer centric offering takes into account customer's everyday choices and preferences for using banking products and enables them to maximise benefits they receive. Supported by a digital application, customers can at any given time optimise, in an easy way, the product usage or even choice and level of the received benefits.

According to Ernest and Young's Global Consumer Banking Survey 2014, customers surveyed indicated that "simplicity" in banking is a key concern for them. This concept has been embraced by the UAE's financial sector, as banks in the country reported an18% rise in improved customer experiences, over the last 10 years, according to the 2015 Retail Banking Customer Experience Benchmark Index developed by Ethos Integrated Solutions.

The 'Accelerator' ecosystem from FGB aims to further simplify customer choices of financial services by offering a solution that helps to receive the most benefits out of everyday banking under one roof. It provides a dynamic approach to personal banking for salaried or self-employed customers. Accessible through a digital application and a dedicated website (www.fgbaccelerator.com), it offers an option of three-tiers of benefits to its customer to choose from. Offerings begin with a Credit Card and a Current Account, but customers can chose from FGB's entire product range of personal and mortgage loans, savings and investments or insurance products.

Hana Al Rostamani, Head of the Consumer Banking Group at FGB, said: "In the fast-paced world we live in, it is essential for banks to provide products that are convenient and efficient. This is why we have created the unique 'Accelerator' ecosystem , which enables its customers to benefit the most from their everyday banking. Supported by a digital application, we believe it complements the FGB digital journey towards seamless customer experience and product delivery".

The 'Accelerator' ecosystem allows customers to receive the benefits of their choice - Cashback, Air Miles, or Reward Points. The programme comes with attractive features such as a Welcome Bonus of up to AED 1,500, 8% cash back on credit card spends, and incremental benefits for taking additional products from the bank. The dedicated web application for the programme has been designed to aid customers in calculating their customised benefits based on their profile and spend patterns. Thus, in addition to increasing banking convenience, the programme ultimately aims to help customers in accelerating their rewards and services.

'Accelerator' reflects FGB's ongoing efforts to provide world-class digital services to its customers. The bank's Dubai Mall branch recently became its first digitally enhanced branch, and now offers a range of self-service technologies and touch screen, 'quick advice' tables for customers to view FGB products and receive instant feedback.

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About FGB
As a major leading Bank in the UAE, FGB had Shareholder Equity of AED 34.3 Billion as of September 30^th, 2015 making it one of the largest equity based Banks in the UAE. Established in 1979 and headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the Bank offers a full range of financial services to business and consumer sectors throughout an extensive network of branches across the UAE. Internationally, FGB has branches in Singapore and Qatar, representative offices in India, Hong Kong, Seoul and London and a subsidiary in Libya.

FGB is recognised as a world-class organisation committed to maximising value for shareholders, customers and employees as it focuses on delivering banking products and services that meet client needs and support the UAE's dynamic economy. In line with its commitment to excellence the Bank continues to invest significantly in people and technology to provide superior service standards.

Awards

The Banker 2015 Islamic Banker of the Year Awards - "Shariah-Compliant Window"
Asian Banker 2015 Middle East and Africa Country Awards: "Best Wealth Management in the Middle East Award" and "Best Mortgage and Home Loan Product in the Middle East Award"
2015 Banker Middle East UAE Product Awards: 'Best Call Centre', 'Best Credit Card', 'Best Personal Loan', 'Best Wealth Management Service/Proposition,' 'Best Offshore Wealth Proposition', 'Best Deposit Account Product' and 'Best Bancassurance Product'
2015 Banker Middle East Industry Awards: "Best Bank in the UAE" and "Best Bank in the Middle East"
2015 Global Capital Bond Market Awards: "Most Impressive Middle East Borrower Award"
2015 Arabian Business Achievement Awards: "Bank of the Year"
2015 Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Middle East Awards: "Project Finance Deal of the Year", "Structured Finance Deal of the Year" and "Syndicated Loan Deal of the Year"
2015 Arabian Business Startup Awards: "SME Bank of the Year"