Visa grants two awards of excellence to Barclays Bank Egypt based on 2008 performance

The awards were presented by Visa to Barclays in recognition of the marked increase in the number of issued credit cards and increased volumes while maintaining quality customer service.

The press conference was attended by Mr. Khalid Elgibaly, Managing Director, Barclays Bank Egypt and Mr. Tarek Elhousseiny, Visa General Manager for North and West Africa.

Also in attendance were Mr. Bassel Kelada, Barclays Bank Egypt Retail Banking Head, joining the celebration together with Mr. Kashif Sohail Head of Credit Cards and Retail Assets Barclays Bank Egypt. Several additional representatives from Visa and Barclays Bank Egypt were also present at the event, which was well attended by numerous media representatives.

"Visa greatly values the relationships we forge with our partner banks and our work with Barclays Bank Egypt over the past 10 years is evidence of the success that such partnerships can bring,"

said Mr. Tarek Elhousseiny, Visa General Manager for North and West Africa.

"We are pleased to present this award to Barclays Bank Egypt for the Fastest Growing Credit Card Program and Superior Customer Service Cycle in Egypt. The success of this program highlights the increasing use of electronic payment cards among Egyptians for both everyday purchases as well as specialty items. As Egyptian consumers continue to become more sophisticated banking customers, the benefits of payment cards - simplicity, convenience and safety - will become even more apparent. Visa is committed to continuing our close cooperation with Barclays Bank Egypt in the hope of providing even greater value-added for cardholders in the future."

Barclays provides end to end service to its customers that starts with their first contact until the clients conduct their first transaction with their Barclaycard, will delivering all the necessary information on the card including, benefits, promotions, etc, i.e. covering the entire "Customer Life Cycle".

Barclays Bank Egypt is committed to receiving customer feedback and therefore conducts post purchase calls for 100% of its new customers to make sure that they have all the necessary information. Barclays Bank also provides the best-in-class services to customers through its Contact Center, which operates 24 hours, seven days a week.

Barclays Bank Egypt strives to provide better services and facilities to its customers and is keen to receive feedback from them. Customers are surveyed periodically and reports are reviewed on a regular basis by the management of the bank through which decisions are made and actions required to develop and improve products according to the customers' needs and requirements.

"Barclays Egypt achieved great results last year in the credit card sector as it expanded from issuing 10,000 cards in 2007 to over 100,000 in 2008. In addition, we managed to provide a high level of customer service over that period and these awards are a testament to the confidence customers have vested in our commitment to serve them with best in class products and services." said Mr. Bassel Kelada, Barclays Egypt Retail Banking Head.

At Barclays we care for the added value which we offer to Barclaycard customers through a diversified group of marketing offers that make Visa Barclaycard holders feel special.

Over the past year, Barclays was able to fulfill the dreams of many of its customers winners in such offers, through the submission of the best retail services with the best banking products, that suits different segments.

"Barclays has managed over the last two years to achieve an extensive expansion strategy, particularly in its offering of products. The cards sector is one of the most important sectors in retail banking, which greatly contributes towards boosting purchasing power and eventually benefits the entire Egyptian economy," stated Mr. Khaled Elgibaly, Barclays Egypt Managing Director.

Worth mentioning that the growth achieved by Barclays Bank Egypt in the credit card market is part of a comprehensive plan for growing with the entire retail sector.

This plan requires more investment in infrastructure and expertise of the bank.

Barclays Egypt is committed to investing greater efforts to expand in the Egyptian market and to provide more innovative products, in addition to raising the awareness of the importance of plastic payment card in the Egyptian community that will benefit the Egyptian market at the end.