Prepaid Summit: Middle East 2012 Conference, Expo and Awards Networking Dinner, March 21 2012 Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai www.vrl-financial-news.com

Inaugural Middle East Prepaid Awards in five key categories

More than 40 nominations across the region

Local names such as Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and RAK Bank chosen in multiple categories including Product Innovation

UAE retailers MAF Finance, Alshaya and Ibn Battutta Mall lead the Retailer program category

Dubai UAE, March 15 2012: VRL Financial News announces the finalists of the inaugural Middle East Prepaid Awards organised alongside the third Prepaid Summit Middle East set to take place in Dubai (March 21, 2012).

The finalists have been listed in five key categories while over 40 nominations were received from across the region.According to James Ratcliff, Editor of Cards International and spokesperson for the upcoming Prepaid Summit, the panel had a tough time selecting the 'Shortlist for 2012', as the standard of entries was extremely high.Finalists in the key category of Outstanding Innovation in Prepaid are Ahli United Bank, Beit Al Zakat and the Sultan Center Private Label for their unique Charity Disbursement Card; National Bank of Abu Dhabi for eDirham Card G2 and Qatar Islamic Bank for QIB FX/Travel Card The finalists for Open-Loop Programme of the Year are Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (Darhoom Card); Arab African International Bank (4U Egypt Prepaid Card) and RAK Bank (Bling Card) Leading retailers in the region chosen as finalists in the category of Closed-Loop/Retailer programme of the year are The Alshaya Group Gift Card; Ibn Battuta Mall's Gift Card and MAF Finance's Majid Al Futtaim Shopping Mall Gift Cards. The Industry Partner of the Year finalists include C3 Card, ElectraCard Services (ECS) and TSYS. Meanwhile, the Marketing Campaign of the year finalists are Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank's Darhoom Card ;Commercial Bank of Kuwait's CBK Prepaid Cards and RAK Bank's Bling Card.

Ratcliff, who chaired the Judging Panel, observed that the number and quality of entries reinforced the belief that prepaid is truly coming of age in the Middle East region.

 "The process of judging these awards has highlighted the fantastic work being done by banks, programme managers and issuers across the region. The Middle East is now undoubtedly home to some of the most innovative and exciting prepaid programmes anywhere in the world," he said.

The judging panel includes eminent regional and global names such as Michael Donald, of Bank of America, Walter Kleinschmit, from R2E Consultant Inc, Amjed Shacker, President of DCC and David Parker of Polymath Consulting. Ratcliff added that the Prepaid Awards will help set industry benchmarks in this region.

The inaugural Middle East Prepaid Awards are being presented in association with Visa Inc, and will recognise the most outstanding and innovative organisations and individuals operating within the industry.

The third Prepaid Summit: Middle East will open on March 21 in Dubai with Visa Inc on-board for the third time as the Summit's Title Sponsor.

A full list of finalists is available on:

http://www.vrl-financial-news.com/cards--payments/cards-international/events/prepaid-summit-middle-east-12/middle-east-prepaid-awards/awards-summary.aspx

Delegate Information:

An invitation to the Middle East Prepaid Awards is included within the package for those attending the Prepaid Summit: Middle East 2012-in association with Visa.

To book your place contact delegateenquiries@vrlfinancialnews.com or call +44 (0) 20 7563 5646

About VRL Financial News
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Media Contacts:
Anu Bhatnagar
Strategic Solutions for VRL
Email:anu@strategicsolutionsonline.com
Tel: 971 4 390 3030
Mobile: 971 50 7286803

© Press Release 2012