Sharjah Islamic Bank to launch 'Internet Banking Q1 2008'

This affirms Sharjah Islamic Bank's commitment to participate and adopt this evolving technology, aligning itself to international best practices, there by fulfilling on its increased customer requirements in this demanding and challenging eBanking channels space, stated Mr. Mohammed Abdulla, CEO Sharjah Islamic Bank.

He added, "The launch date for this eService "Internet Banking" is scheduled for first quarter 2008. Sharjah Islamic Bank has partnered with a leading international company NCR Corporation that has a long time local presence, having a solid track record in implementing best of breed eBanking solutions. This turnkey solution with NCR includes the product solution "Corollian" from CheckFree USA, Integrated Channel Manager - Middleware from NCR, hardware that includes networking and security components, Disaster Recovery, technical systems integration, comprehensive support that includes development and training.

SIB's CEO additionally pointed out that the agreement signed with NCR Corporation would include professional services that will provide the Bank with a number of eBanking business services that will be available through Internet Banking solution for all the customers dealing with the bank. These services included are account inquires, account to account transfers, accounts opening, utility payments balances, credit card accounts , check book requests, statements, etc, keeping in mind that these services will be delivered in a secure, swift, accurate and efficient banking operations via the internet.

Mr. Abdulla further explained that the Bank has spent significant time in the evaluation process which included several presentations, site visits and that adequate due diligence has been conducted through a steering committee to ensure the bank provides its customers a State of the Art solution which is in line with the industry best practices.

To reaffirm its decision on the selected solution, Sharjah Islamic Bank, participated in the "Corollian" user conference "Connect 2007" held in Asheville, North Carolina USA and further visited the NCR Data Centre in Washington, where at NCR provides hosting facilities to its customers. The Sharjah Islamic Bank delegates in attendance were Mr. Suhail Abu Hijleh, VP - Head of Banking Operations division, Mr. Qaasem Al Baloushi, VP - Head of remote delivery Channels, Mr. Myron Britto Chief Information Officer.

Accompanying the Sharjah Islamic Bank delegation, were NCR delegates Mr. Ahmed Jamal -eBusiness Solutions Director, Mr. Clifford D. Morris - Ecommerce Data Center Manager, Mr. Sanjay Kapur - eCommerce Solutions, Mr. Gregory A. Hanson -VP Worldwide Customer Services eCommerce Solutions.

The NCR delegation along with its partners presented the latest accomplishments across the various eBusiness Lines that included various eBusiness product roadmaps, Risk, Security, Case Studies and Return on Investment. In addition, Sharjah Islamic Bank's delegates witnessed at the NCR Washington Data Center, demonstrations of live production systems, its operations, management and security controls.

To conclude, Sharjah Islamic Bank has now commenced work through its technology and eServices unit as of the 4th Quarter 2007 on this demanding initiative enabling "Banking thru the Internet".