Deals of the Week: Emirates NBD breaks virtual ground

Emirates NBD (ENBD), the largest bank in the UAE in terms of assets, has become the first bank in the country to launch an Arabic domain name and website.

Designed to meet the needs of its Arabic-speaking customers, the bank says the new website offers a range of interactive facilities, such as its "Find Us" and "Click-to-Call" features.

Find Us enables customers to make appointments online with bank staff, including members of the direct sales team and customer service representatives both at and outside bank branches, while Click-to-Call connects the customer with the bank's callback service.

"As a UAE national bank, we wanted to mark the 40th anniversary of UAE National Day with our customers in a way that would directly benefit them, while celebrating our language and heritage," says Saif Al Mansoori, the deputy head of group marketing.

"The Arabic domain name will extend the reach of the new website to Arabic internet users and facilitate a wider range of customers to avail of the offers and benefits at Emirates NBD."

The "virtual branch" of ENBD allows customers to access detailed information about products and services, such as submitting online application forms and loan and insurance calculators, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from the comfort of their home or office, as well as getting the latest market rates and reports.

Other features include locating the nearest ENBD branch or ATM by using a customised Google Maps feature, while the website also highlights branches that are hosting special offers.

"The new Emirates NBD Arabic website will make our services and online resources available to a whole new demographic of first-language Arabic speakers," Mr Al Mansoori says.

The domain name is supported by Arabic-language browsers and can be accessed through the bank's existing English-language website, www.emiratesnbd.com.

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Standard Chartered Bank is giving away an iPad 2 to customers as part of its latest credit-card promotion.

The UK- and Hong Kong-listed lender, which derives about 90 per cent of its income profits from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, says the promotion is for new customers who apply for Platinum or Titanium cards and can confirm a minimum spend of Dh60,000 on it for a year.

"The UAE is one of Standard Chartered's key markets globally and we are keen to continuously develop our business in this country," says Syed Hammad Haider, the bank's general manager of retail products and new business.

Once the card has been activated, approved customers will receive a 16GB Wi-Fi iPad 2 within four weeks.

Terms and conditions apply. On its website, the bank says it will charge a one-time fee of Dh2,000 to the credit-card holder after the first 12 months if they do not meet the minimum spend requirement, they are irregular with their payments or they cancel the card within one year of receiving it.

It also says that jewellery purchases and spending at exchange houses will not go towards the minimum spend requirement.

For more information, go to www.standardchartered.ae.

pf@thenational.ae