American Express signs agreement with BKME for Open Payment Gateway via Knet

BKME, a member bank of Knet, has enabled the payment gateway for American Express Cardmembers to pay their Card bills on American Express website using Knet's system. Cardmembers can transfer amounts from accounts held in any Kuwaiti bank, towards the payment of their American Express Card statement.

The Shared Electronic Banking Services Company (Knet) was established in 1992. The company also provides a range of services for Point-of-Sale and ATM transactions, payment gateway for e-commerce and e-government, m-commerce facilities as well as the GCC Net.

"Our partnership with BKME and Knet reflects our commitment to adding more transactional ease and convenience for our Cardmembers,"

said Mohammed A. Karim, American Express Country Manager - Kuwait.

"As a stand-alone Card payment brand, it was important for us to link with all banks in Kuwait to allow for easy transfer of funds from bank accounts towards American Express bill payments. With this new Knet channel, we have now moved to a fully online platform, the speed, safety and convenience of which will support our Cardmembers' lifestyles," he added.

He added that for access to the new service, Cardmembers are required to register online at the American Express Middle East and North Africa website.

Eman Al Ali, Head of Electronic Distribution at BKME, said:

"We are proud to offer our cutting-edge technical expertise to a leading payment brand such as American Express. We have strived to deliver on the promise of making life simple for our customers. We are happy to provide the same value proposition to American Express customers."

The Bank of Kuwait and the Middle East (BKME) continues to perform a vital role for more than 66 years in Kuwait's economic and social development. The bank offers a distinctive style and superior quality of service in line with the unique needs of each customer, and backed by traditional and electronic channels that deliver enhanced value.

Hasan Akbar, General Manager of Knet, said:

"Knet efficiently provides a network that links the local banking system in Kuwait at high international standards of efficiency and security with state of the art automated banking versatile technology. We are happy to integrate other financial institutions such as independent payment solutions providers, for this underlines the strength and confidence in our network."

A. Karim of American Express also said that in addition to the new BKME/Knet service, American Express bill payments could be made over the counter at any of the 42 branches of Gulf Bank and at the American Express head office located in Salhiya Complex.