( - Khaleej Times) Al Hilal Bank started its banking operations yesterday evening at an inaugural ceremony, in which General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces opened a bank account.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak CEO of Mubadala Development Company, top government officials, senior officials of UAE Central Bank and Bank's management and staff.
With a clear vision to become the region's leading financial institution, Al Hilal has developed a completely new approach to Islamic banking by focusing on new products and technology while bringing excellence in service to the forefront.
The stated aim of this new concept is to set high standards of excellence in the UAE's banking industry, and to maximise stakeholders' value by acting as a catalyst towards the growth of local and regional economies. By doing so, Al Hilal seeks to offer contemporary and innovative financial services in accordance with Islamic Shariah.
Eissa Mohamed Al Suwaidi, a director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, serves as chairman of Al Hilal Bank.
The first of its kind in the
Middle East, Al Hilal has brought a shopping mall feel to consumer banking by bringing its products and services into a retail environment that has been designed to be interactive and engaging for customers.
In this financial mall, customers are given the opportunity to feel the Al Hilal promise of "It's all about you." The 360-degree approach to banking here is divided into a variety of sections that specialise in each customer's requirements.
Each line of
business, such as real estate, automotive and personal banking, takes a separate area that is based on a "shop within a mall" concept. There is a main walkway with kiosks and displays with rest areas, similar to a commercial mall. Meanwhile, each product area has its own shop front and entrance archway.
A modular exhibition space has been built in to bring a third dimension to banking, to showcase local artists and act as an event venue.
There is a private area for ladies' banking with a branded coffee shop and its own version of the art gallery. Children, too, are catered for with their own banking areas that are designed to be engaging and educational, alongside a separate area for youth banking that is sophisticated, trendy and technology driven.
Even a car showroom is available for customers who are interested in automotive finance, and a theatre has been installed for movie presentations, guest speakers and focus groups.
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