Dubai Islamic Bank unveils new brand identity for ladies banking services 'Johara'

DIB revealed that four new Johara braches will be opened in 2008 as part of an expansion plan aimed at catering to the increasing demand for ladies' financial services. The bank also announced the launch of two new products for its female customers - an Islamic credit card and a unique auto finance offering with comprehensive features such as road assistance, insurance and others.

The new brand identity was unveiled during a press conference organised by DIB in the presence of Wasim Saifi, Executive Vice President, DIB; Mohammed Amiri, Senior Vice President, Retail and Business Banking, DIB; Nasser Al Awadi, Senior Vice President, Head of Branches, DIB; and Rana Hindawi, Product Development Manager, Johara, DIB.

Wassim Saifi said:

"Johara has ambitious expansion plans for the next year, including the launch of three new branches to reach eight branches across the country. This plan is aimed at meeting the increasing demand for private ladies banking services across the country, especially Islamic banking services."

"The purpose of the Johara re-launch project is to introduce this newly energised concept of ladies banking, reaching out to women from across the country, including professionals and housewives," he added.

He noted: "DIB was the first bank to provide unique and distinguished ladies banking services across the UAE. Roughly 65 per cent of Johara's customer base is composed of UAE national ladies, while 30 per cent are nationals of other Arab countries, and the remaining five per cent are of other nationalities."

Rana Hindawi said: "We are delighted to announce the launch of two new offerings for ladies, including a new credit card designed for women, as well as an innovative auto finance offering."

Commenting on the new branding, she noted: "The brand colour integrates extremely well with DIB's overall corporate identity. It also reflects various aspects of the Johara concept, as it is feminine, dynamic, vibrant, Islamic, modern and contemporary."

Ms. Hindawi said: "Johara's re-launch signals a new era for DIB's ladies banking services that have contributed to revolutionising the industry by providing a wide range of innovative Sharia-compliant products."

"Johara's exclusive services come in recognition of the significant female contribution to the nation's economy. These services provide a comprehensive range of specialised and innovative ladies banking products with the highest standards of personal attention, professional care and convenience - all with the aim of the equitable distribution of benefits to all stakeholders and society," she concluded.

DIB's first dedicated Johara branch was established in Jumeirah, Dubai, in 2003, followed by branch openings in Abu Dhabi in 2004, Sharjah in 2005 and Al Ain in 2006.