Accelerating innovation through Fintech collaboration

In collaboration with Plug and Play Abu Dhabi, Emirates Islamic has launched a global campaign seeking applications from leading Islamic Fintechs and start-ups offering unique Shariah-compliant solutions, to improve products and services, and the overall customer experience.

As a digital leader in the Islamic banking sector, Emirates Islamic (part of Emirates, NBD Group) consistently makes strategic investments in technological solutions that enhance our front-end and back-end banking operations, in line with its ongoing digital transformation journey and has identified three areas of opportunity across Business and Priority Banking:

Accelerating innovation - SME Finance
SME Finance
Accelerating innovation - Trade Finance
Trade Finance
Accelerating innovation - Financial Wellbeing
Financial Wellbeing
Opportunity Areas

Opportunity Areas

To address the growing needs of our customers, the campaign is focused on 3 areas of improvement:

  • SME Finance: How might we address current challenges faced by SMEs in obtaining finance solutions? Our goal is to streamline the process for small businesses, providing them fast and affordable solutions and real-time finance in one place, while optimizing back-office operational efficiencies.
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  • Trade Finance: How should we transform Islamic trade finance transactions for our customers? We want to improve the customer journey by digitizing the trade finance process, reducing turnaround time, saving operating costs, and making international trade financing easy, efficient and more secure.
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  • Financial Wellbeing: How can we meet and exceed customer expectations for more personalized solutions and guidance from their banking partners? We recognize this need and aim to provide our customers with personalized insights and portfolio management, helping them to manage their finances in the most efficient and meaningful way.

Timelines

Our goal is simple. We are looking for the best Fintechs that are real game-changers and will help transform the way we operate, helping us deliver true value and convenience to our customers. Together, we will create the future of Islamic banking!

The below timelines outline the full application process and key dates, from launch to Fintech selection. Multiple shortlisting rounds will be held with applicants to evaluate their offering and alignment with the campaign themes, culminating in a solution deep-dive and demo day with business leaders.

Successful Fintechs will be subsequently contacted.

Application Open

Applications open

February 6th
Submissions close

Submissions close

February 24th
Fintechs evaluation

Fintechs evaluation

Feb 24th – March 17th
FinTechs shortlist

FinTechs shortlist

March 24th
Demo Day

Demo day

April 9th
About Emirates NBD

About Emirates NBD

As the leading banking group in the MENAT region with presence in 13 countries, Emirates NBD services over 14 million customers, businesses, governments, and institutions with a range of financial products and services including retail banking, corporate and institutional banking, Islamic banking, investment banking, private banking, asset management, global markets and treasury, and brokerage operations.

The Group is ranked among the top 20 in the Forbes’ list of the World’s Best Regarded Companies, securing a leading spot among global brands. Emirates NBD has a significant retail banking franchise in the UAE and is a key participant in the global digital banking industry with 94% of all financial transactions and requests conducted outside of its branches.

leading FinTech partners
We are scouting for

leading FinTech partners

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