Emirates Bank expands self-service network

These are a mix of ATMs, Automated Instant Cash Deposit Machines and Automated Cheque Deposit Machines. This is in tune with the bank's strategy of offering easily accessible self-service banking services to its customers and reducing the need to go to its branches for simple transactions.

The bank has recently installed new ATMs in various high growth areas, including Dubai Knowledge Village, Dubai Media City, Ibn Batuta Mall and is in the process of installing many more ATMs such as, in both Ajman and Sharjah City Centres. The bank has ambitious plans of expanding its network to the other high growth areas in the country. For the first time, the bank is installing Automated Instant Cash Deposit Machines at offsite locations serving cash deposit needs for its customers, and hence, reducing the load on its branches.

During the year 2004, the bank registered a very high growth in the usage of all self-service channels. For example, the transactions on Automated Cash Deposit Machines have grown more than 70% and the amounts deposited in these machines increased by 128% compared to the previous year.

Mr. Louis Scotto, General Manager Retail Banking Emirates Bank said, "The unprecedented growth in the usage of these self-service channels has proved that for most day to day transactions, the customers prefer to use these instead of traditional branches. We have been pioneers in self-service banking in the region and our belief in these services has been vindicated by such wholesome customer acceptance. In fact, we have registered tremendous growth in our electronic channels as well."

The bank's electronic channels include Online Banking, Mobile Banking via SMS and Phone Banking. These channels saw their usage surge by 60 to 90% compared to the previous year.

"We have added a number of new features and functionalities in our electronic banking channels to make them more useful and easier to use. Now, our customers are increasingly opting to use these channels for most of their banking requirements. The availability of such a wide range of self-service and electronic channels has also enabled us to effectively implement our customer segmentation strategies to cater to the specific banking needs of different types of customers", he added.

For the first time in the UAE, the bank has recently launched "meBANK on Wheels", a mobile self-service branch. Located inside a custom-designed vehicle, "meBANK on Wheels" offers a range of banking services at the customer's doorstep, including Cash withdrawals, automated cash and cheque deposits and online banking services. The vehicle has been designed to cater to customer requirements at events, exhibitions, and shopping malls. They serve places with a large gathering of people and in turn a need for ATM and other banking services. It is also ideal for providing access to banking services to customers who are located in places where there is no access to ATM machines.