meBANK commits to GITEX for third year running

A host of new and innovative retail banking initiatives will be premiered at the exhibition including the bank's latest priority banking service, as well as a unique drive through banking concept.

Unlike the previous two years, meBANK is exhibiting a diverse range of product offerings instead of focussing on one particular area. This shift in strategy signifies the bank's evolution from being solely an internet bank, back in 2001, to what is now a fully integrated retail banking division of Emirates Bank. To add to this, meBANK is currently driving towards a customer segmentation strategy, which began with the successful launches of meNRI and meUNIVERSITY in the last 12 months.

On the subject of driving, meBANK will launch its drive-in bank at the exhibition. meSTATION is a convenient drive-through area, which allows the customer to withdraw cash at an ATM machine from their car window, as well as carry out transactions in the comfort of their car. For those who want to make a deposit, each meSTATION has a cash and cheque deposit machine, as well as an internet connected computer station, which enables the customer to open accounts as well as all of the other transactions, and services available from a standard internet connected meBANK PC.

meSTATION is set to replace a number of meBANK and Emirates Bank's existing ATM machines in prime 'drive-through' areas in and around Dubai, over the coming months.

Al Shaheen Club is Emirates Bank priority banking service designed to meet the needs of affluent customers. The priority banking offering provides confidential and personalised services that cater to customers' banking and investment needs, complemented by a comprehensive package of valuable benefits available exclusively to Al Shaheen Club members. A sample Al Shaheen Club will be available on meBANK's Gitex stand to give visitors an idea of what to expect from the outlets, which will be located at 3 select Emirates Bank branches in the UAE by the end of October.

meBOX is now one year old and will have a new face at Gitex. While initially only available at meBANK large branches, due to massive customer appeal EBI plans on rolling out this "instant account opening" initiative to all of its branches by year-end. meBOX information will be available in the form of 'take home' leaflets and the channel will still be as quick, convenient and even more customer friendly.

Louis Scotto, General Manager Retail Banking at Emirates Bank said, "We have such a wide selection of activities on our stand at Gitex this year, which is unlike other years, where we have just featured one or two products. Our meSTATION concept is very exciting as it is a completely new move for us and mirrors our aim of providing quick and easy banking at all levels. The launch of Al Shaheen Club and the expansion of meBOX signifies the progression that the bank has made since 2002, and we look forward to welcoming curious visitors to our Gitex stand, to explain more!"

meBANK adds another "first" to its array of banking services—access to its online banking service using Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). The mePDA service, the first by a bank in the UAE, is available to all meBANK, Emirates Bank or Middle East Bank customers. mePDA offers ultimate anytime, anywhere banking using which the customers can transact from anywhere in the world.

meBANK's stand at Gitex 2003 is located in Hall 5, stand number B5-1.