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Dubai: Emirates NBD, a leading bank in the region, together with the DIFC FinTech Hive, the largest financial technology accelerator in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), are the first in the region to certify FinTech startups who have successfully used the Emirates NBD’s API (Application Programming Interface) Sandbox to create and demonstrate working innovative financial solutions.
The five FinTech startups that successfully presented their product integration with Emirates NBD’s API Sandbox, and graduated from the initiative with a certificate of collaboration, were as follows:
Monimove, a digital trade finance/supply chain solution
Norbloc, a shared know-your-customer (KYC) solution using distributed ledgers (Blockchain)
Gamechanger, a keyboard banking solution which helps you bank while chatting
Leap FinTech, a digital onboarding solution for small and medium-sized enterprises
Bankbuddy, a chatbot for the financial industry
Launched by Emirates NBD Future Lab™ in 2018, the API Sandbox is a first in the region, marking an important milestone in the bank’s AED 1 billion digital transformation programme. The platform, which was opened up to developers and FinTech firms, consists of over 200 APIs and 500 end points covering retail, corporate and SMEs. Developers also have access to over five million simulated customer transactions based on the BIAN (Banking Industry Architecture Network) model.
Commenting on the announcement, Abdulla Qassem, Group Chief Operating Officer, Emirates NBD, said: “As a pioneer of innovation in the region’s banking sector, Emirates NBD is proud to certify five FinTech startups in collaboration with DIFC FinTech Hive. We are confident that this initiative will pave the path for many more collaborations in the future between banks and FinTechs in the region, helping tackle various challenges while delivering a smarter and more secure customer experience in the process.”
Evans Munyuki, Chief Digital Officer, Emirates NBD, said: “Emirates NBD is playing an active role in accelerating innovative collaboration in the UAE and the wider region. Initiatives such as the API Sandbox, offer a secure and safe environment for FinTechs and internal bank developers to innovate, collaborate, prototype, and accelerate speed to market using meaningful API calls and synthetic data samples.”
“This even paves the way for inclusion of government partnerships with banks and FinTechs. We are pleased to support leading accelerators such as the DIFC FinTech Hive, while connecting with startups and technology providers to find new ways to solve old and new problems as we build banking solutions for the future.”
Munyuki added.
Emirates NBD’s API Sandbox equips FinTechs and developers with the right tools to transform their ideas into working prototypes which integrate with the bank’s sandbox technology architecture, with the goal of accelerating the development and market introduction of digital banking products and services, while recognising FinTechs globally. The programme was open to all registered FinTechs in the DIFC FinTech Hive, allowing them to do their integration work, and present their integrated value propositions to senior leaders from Emirates NBD, thus proving their technology’s ability to integrate with a real bank, and whilst also standing a chance to possibly pursue further collaboration with the bank.
Raja Al Mazrouei, Executive Vice President of DIFC FinTech Hive, commented: “It’s been great to see the progression of DIFC-based FinTechs through this process, and really highlights the role the Centre is playing in driving the future of finance. The API Sandbox initiative has reinforced our continued partnership with Emirates NBD and, following its success, we look forward to seeing further collaborations come to fruition.”
Emirates NBD’s API Sandbox follows Open Banking Standards that ensure the utmost security and privacy for its users. The platform makes Emirates NBD more accessible to developers, creating increased value for its customers and partners, while contributing to the economic growth of the region.
Emirates NBD has long been a digital leader in the region’s banking sector, garnering numerous industry accolades affirming its commitment to digitisation. The bank was named ‘Best Online Bank globally’ by The Asian Banker, as well as ‘Best Digital Bank-UAE’ by Global Finance World’s Best Consumer Digital Banks in the ME Awards 2018. In addition, Emirates NBD won ‘The Innovator’ in the Middle East by Global Finance 2018 Innovators Awards.
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About Emirates NBD
Emirates NBD is a leading banking Group in the region. As at 30th June 2019, total assets were AED 537.8 Billion, (equivalent to approx. USD 146 Billion). The Group has a significant retail banking franchise in the UAE and is a key participant in the global digital banking industry, with over 90 per cent of all financial transactions and requests conducted outside of its branches. The bank was declared the Most Innovative Financial Services Organization of the Year at the 2017 BAI Global Innovation Awards.
The bank currently has 233 branches and 1081 ATMs and SDMs in the UAE and overseas and a large social media following, being the only bank in the Middle East ranked among the top 20 in the ‘Power 100 Social Media Rankings’, compiled by The Financial Brand. It is a major player in the UAE corporate and retail 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, Egypt, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and representative offices in China, Indonesia and Turkey.
The Group is an active participant and supporter of the UAE’s main development and community initiatives, in close alignment with the UAE government’s strategies, including financial literacy and advocacy for inclusion of People with Disabilities under its #TogetherLimitless platform. Emirates NBD Group is a Premier Partner and the Official Banking Partner for Expo 2020 Dubai. For more information, please visit: www.emiratesnbd.com
For further information on Emirates NBD, please contact:
Ibrahim Sowaidan
Senior Vice President
Head - Group Corporate Affairs
Emirates NBD
Telephone: +971 4 609 4113 / +971 50 6538937
e-mail: ibrahims@emiratesnbd.com
Tricia Kaul
asda’a bcw; Dubai, UAE
Tel: 971-4-4507600; Fax: 971-4-4358040
Email: Tricia.Kaul@bcw-global.com
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