• CBD is now live on the nation-wide KYC data sharing ecosystem along with Emirates NBD
  • HSBC, ADCB, and RAKBANK are scheduled to go live from Q1 2021
  • CBD’s new and existing clients benefit from digital onboarding, instant bank account opening and automated data updates.
  • More free zones, licensing authorities and financial institutions are currently onboarding the ecosystem
  • norbloc is the technology provider, enabling the ecosystem via its FIDES Blockchain Platform.

Dubai: Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) has announced its go-live on the UAE KYC Blockchain Platform, an initiative which facilitates secure digital customer onboarding, instant bank account functionality, automated data updates, and sharing of verified KYC (Know-Your-Customer) data between licensing authorities and financial institutions. The market-leading initiative, championed by Dubai Economy as part of enhancing business competitiveness and enhancing the digital transformation of the economy in the UAE, is powered by norbloc, a global leader in enterprise blockchain technologies, through its FIDES Blockchain Platform.

The UAE KYC Blockchain Platform was launched by Dubai Economy and a consortium of six banks in February 2020 and is set to become a nationwide ecosystem for exchange of verified KYC data. The initiative is supported by regulators such as Central Bank of UAE and Smart Dubai who will play a significant role in the network expansion and governance.

“Dubai Economy and CBD have in the past fostered a strong and long-term partnership to support ease of doing business for investors and businesses in UAE. We are delighted that CBD is amongst the first financial institutions in UAE to go live on the UAE KYC Blockchain Platform, which now allows licensed investors and businesses to digitally open instant bank account and for banks to receive real-time data updates on their clients,” said Omar Bushahab, CEO of Business Registration and Licensing (BRL) Sector in Dubai Economy.

“The Dubai Economy licences hosted on the Platform account for approximately 40% of all licences in the UAE. The project is in full alignment with the vision of the UAE Government to promote digitisation as well as business sustainability, and provides a seamless experience to investors and businesses seeking to establish themselves in the UAE. We invite other licensing entities, free zones and financial institutions to join and leverage this market-leading initiative that is fully tested and proven to be invaluable and sustainable,” added Bu Shahab.

The UAE KYC Blockchain platform now has CBD along with Emirates NBD, which was the first banking group to go live on the platform, and the ecosystem continues to expand with ADCB, HSBC and RAKBANK scheduled for Q1 2021, as well as the joining of additional banks and free zones. The next milestone will be the official release of the Consortium Agreement that will govern the ecosystem and outline how data will be shared between its members.

Dr. Bernd van Linder, CEO of Commercial Bank of Dubai, said, “We are delighted to be amongst the first banks in the UAE to go live with the UAE KYC Blockchain Consortium, initiated by Dubai Economy. CBD has always been committed to accelerate the growth of the UAE economy and enhance the overall business climate by adopting innovative digital tools and technology and delivering a seamless banking experience, in line with our ‘Default Digital’ strategy. The UAE KYC Blockchain Consortium will significantly improve the customer onboarding journey and facilitate a faster and more secure digital KYC process using advanced blockchain-powered distributed technologies leading to enhanced ease of doing business in the UAE.”

We look forward to working with Dubai Economy and norbloc to offer SMEs and start-ups a convenient and digital way of opening a business account through the UAE’s first KYC Blockchain Consortium.”

Astyanax Kanakakis, CEO of norbloc, said: “Banks such as CBD have understood that being able to offer frictionless, convenient and digital customer journeys is something that is increasingly expected by their customers. In addition to that, reducing the effort spent on onboarding and KYC means more time and resources can be spent on serving the customers. As the UAE KYC Blockchain ecosystem continues to grow, these benefits will become more pronounced and increasingly expected by customers. The FIDES platform removes data silos that currently exist within and across institutions and in doing so brings in cost savings and delivers a vastly improved customer service, resulting in more efficient markets.”  

-Ends- 

About Dubai Economy

Dubai Economy (Department of Economic Development – Government of Dubai) is the government body entrusted to set and drive the economic agenda of the emirate of Dubai, UAE. Dubai Economy supports the structural transformation of Dubai into a diversified, innovative service-based economy that aims to improve the business environment and accelerate productivity growth. Dubai Economy and its agencies develop economic plans and policies, identify and support the growth of strategic sectors, and provide services to domestic and international investors and businesses.

For further information on Dubai Economy, please contact:

Faisal Shamsudheen, Phone: +971 4 445 5927, MediaRelations@dubaided.gov.ae 

About CBD

Commercial Bank of Dubai was established in 1969 and is registered as a Public Shareholding Company (PSC). The Bank is listed on the Dubai Financial Market and is mostly owned by UAE Nationals, including 20% by the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD). Over the years, Commercial Bank of Dubai has built itself into a progressive and modern Banking institution, endowed with a strong financial structure and strong management, as well as a loyal and ever increasing customer and correspondent base. Today CBD is one of the leading banks in the United Arab Emirates and offers its customers a full range of retail and commercial banking products and services. 

For additional information, contact Mr. Sandeep Poduval Shivram, Head of Marketing, Commercial Bank of Dubai on 04 – 2121899 or email sandeep.poduval@cbd.ae 

About norbloc

norbloc builds blockchain KYC platforms that enable individuals, organizations and regulators to effectively manage and securely share verified Know Your Customer data. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, the team behind norbloc holds significant experience in blockchain technology development and financial services. Financial institutions, governments and licensing authorities across the globe trust norbloc technology to enhance customer onboarding, increase data security and mitigate systemic risk.

For more information on norbloc please reach out to Ms. Fanny Modin, Head of Business Development on email fanny@norbloc.com 

Send us your press releases to pressrelease.zawya@refinitiv.com

© Press Release 2021

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.