Barclays Premier introduces customers to "well designed banking"

Premier Banking, a global Barclays offering, is designed to give customers a unique blend of truly luxurious facilities and an unsurpassed service.

In addition to the Premier Banking offering, the full-service Abu Dhabi branch - which was officially launched - will house a full range of retail and corporate banking services for customers in the capital city.

H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research for the UAE, inaugurated the newest Barclays branch after celebratory remarks by Barclays officials, led by Frits Seegers, Chief Executive, Barclays Global Retail and Commercial Banking.

"We are here today to plant the Barclays flag firmly in the ground," said Ahmed Khan, the Chief Executive of Barclays Global Retail and Commercial Banking in Emerging Markets. "Our services have long been available in the UAE, but the launch of this flagship branch will offer one-stop banking for all of our customers here in the capital city."

The Premier Banking proposition, which targets the mass affluent customers, provides something rarely experienced before in the world of finance.

"This is an incredible offering which will change the way the mass affluent customer banks," said Michael Miebach, the Managing Director of Barclays Global Retail and Commercial Banking in the UAE. "We want to ensure our customers have the ultimate environment to make key decisions and hold important meetings. Our aim is to give our customers the best environment in which to conduct their business."

The enhanced service of Barclays Premier Banking includes individually assigned Premier Relationship Managers and exclusive services like meeting rooms that customers can book from anywhere in the world.

All meeting and conference rooms are equipped with a large variety of facilities, from internet connection to presentation facilities.

Barclays Premier customers in the UAE can benefit from numerous wealth management solutions, preferential finance terms and complimentary access to "Meet and Greet" services and lounges in both the Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports.

"Premier Banking is a global initiative for Barclays, that fits perfectly with the desire within the local market for tailored, exclusive service," said Khan. "Premier Banking will prove highly attractive for our Abu Dhabi customers, and we are eager to launch similar branches across the region."

In addition to launching Premier Banking and opening the Abu Dhabi flagship branch, Barclays officials also announced on Thursday the opening of the first Training Academy in the UAE in the same premises.

The move will help support the training needs of the new branch and strengthen Barclays overall presence within the Capital.

"The Training Academy will enable us to achieve our goal of developing world class employees who will deliver exceptional service to our customers," said Hani Hirzallah, head of Human Resources for the UAE and Gulf. "Additionally, the academy will provide greater development opportunities for UAE Nationals, thereby creating future leaders and enriching the local market."