- Global certification acknowledges bank's best-of-breed, comprehensive banking services and solutions-

Abu Dhabi, 16 September, 2009: Union National bank (UNB), one of UAE's leading national banks, has obtained the recently introduced ISO 9001:2008 quality management certification from M/s Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance (LRQA).

The certification covers the Bank's complete range of products and services, across all its branches in the UAE. Services that were certified ISO 9001:2008 compliant include corporate, retail, international, treasury and investment, private banking and wealth management, along with all support functions across an extensive network of banking centers and alternate delivery channels.

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all UNB's staff for their efforts and contributions to achieve the ISO certificate", said Mohammad Nasr Abdeen, CEO of Union National Bank.

"UNB has always attempted to abide by the standards of quality which have transformed the bank into a leader in providing state-of-the-art banking solutions. These factors will continue to remain UNB's strong differentiators in the years ahead, as we continue to grow" he added.

Acknowledging that UNB is one the first Banks in the region to be certified ISO 9001:2008 compliant by LRQA, Abdeen said, "I am glad that over the years, our quality focus has never been compromised despite significant growth we have been able to achieve in our operations."

In 2002, UNB was the first bank in the Middle East to be certified ISO 9001:2000 complaint, across a range of banking services across the head office and branches during 2002. The certification was successfully renewed in 2005 and in 2008, with enhanced scope.

UNB has adopted total quality management concepts and methodologies, quality management systems and a business excellence framework. As a strong testament for this commitment, UNB won Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award, Gold category (2004 / 2005) and Dubai Quality Award in the financial sector (2005).  In addition to Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid AL Maktoum Business Award (Finance Category)

-Ends-

About Union National Bank:
Union National Bank (UNB) is a public joint stock company incorporated under the laws of the United Arab Emirates in 1982.  UNB operates through a wide network of branches and over 100 ATMs throughout the UAE. UNB is present in the Arab Republic of Egypt through its 94.9% owned subsidiary Union National Bank, Egypt (formerly known as Alexandria Commercial and Maritime Bank) which has 9 branches in Egypt. UNB has two other subsidiaries. (1) Union Brokerage Company (UBC) which provides brokerage services for customers trading in shares and securities on Abu Dhabi Securities Market and Dubai Financial Market. UBC operates from state of the art offices which are located in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Dhafra, Al Ain and Fujairah. (2) Al Wifaq Finance Company (AWFC) an Islamic Finance Company which offers Shari'a compliant products and services to tap the growing Islamic banking market.

UNB is the only bank in the UAE which has significant shareholdings by the Governments of both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The major shareholders of UNB are the Finance Department, Government of Abu Dhabi (40%), Abu Dhabi Investment Council (10%) and the Government of Dubai (10%).  The remaining 40% of the shares are held by the general public. The shares of UNB are listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market. UNB has adopted the total quality management concepts and methodologies, quality management systems and a business excellence framework. A strong testament to this was when the Bank won the 2004 / 2005 Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award, Gold category and the 2005 Dubai Quality Award in the financial sector.

In 2002, UNB became the first bank of its size in the Middle East to be ISO 9001:2000 certified across its entire operations in the UAE by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance for its Quality Management Systems under the terms set out by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service - UKAS - scheme. This certificate was renewed during 2005 and the bank is poised for recertification during 2008 demonstrating commitment to Quality and continuous improvement.  To find out more about Union National Bank and the services and products offered please visit one of our branches or log on to our website www.unb.com.

For more information, please contact:
Maha Mohammed Karara
UNB
Phone: 02 698 4809 (Dir)
Fax: 02 6741600
Email: maha.m.karara@unb.ae  

Charbel Tanios/Deena Qassem
Asda'a Burson-Marsteller Public Relations
Phone: 02 6334133 (Ext: 286)
Fax: 02 6334233
Email: c.tanios@asdaa.com 
d.qassem@asdaa.com 

© Press Release 2009