Saudi banks dominate entries for Gulf Brands Awards

Saudi American Bank, Banque Saudi Fransi and Al Rajhi Banking & Investment Corporation (ARB) are representing the Kingdom against Dubai Bank and Mashreq Billionaire at the awards ceremony, to be staged by Gulf Marketing Review in Dubai on November 30 as part of the magazine's 10th anniversary celebrations.

Abdul Mohsen al Sowailam, head of marketing for ARB, said that the brand's commitment to being a values-based business has been recognised by the marketplace. Key to the identity and personality of the brand are the bank's values of Islamic banking and Saudi cultural values.

On the tangible aspects, ARB has registered increases in numbers of bank accounts, branches, ATMs and credit cards, with a market share in branches standing at more than 30 per cent and 24 per cent of all credit cards.

Sowailam said: "Our commitment to Saudi values is visible in a number of ways, from more than 60 ladies-only branches, through to our significant contributions to charity and our commitment to Saudiisation as part of our employment strategy. Our customers' perceptions of our commitment to Saudi values lies at around 70 per cent, significantly higher than any of our competitors."

Meanwhile in Dubai, Ricky Madan, vice president of Dubai Bank, pointed out that the brand's youth - it is just a year old - had not been a hindrance at all.

He said: "We have come a very long way in just one year. This can be credited to our focused and aggressive product, communication and brand strategy, which is backed by an extensive range of exclusive and innovative products and services. We have clearly set a benchmark in the financial industry."

The international research company Ipsos-Stat has been commissioned to put each nominated brand through Gulf-wide market research, before a panel of expert judges reviews the quality of brand communications and selects category winners.

The GMR 10th Anniversary, Gulf Brands of the Decade Awards cover 10 categories - as well as a Marketeer of the Decade award - including finance, FMCG, shopping malls, duty free, e-commerce, tourism, and media and advertising. The gala dinner will take place at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai on November 30.