(Sukuk.net - Khaleej Times) Standard Chartered Bank strengthens its presence in the capital with the opening of its flagship Financial Centre, which boasts a dedicated Saadiq Islamic Banking Centre, Priority Banking Centre, and SME team.

Located in Khalidiya, on Zayed the First Street, the new lifestyle branch is part of a dynamic expansion plan, the Bank has embarked on to increase its distribution footprint in convenient locations, and to bring modern lifestyle banking to its increasing customer base, in a strategic partnership with Starbucks Café.

This latest branch opening follows on from the launch of Sales and Service Centre in Mussafah that is fully dedicated to SME Banking, and the deployment of 28 ATMs in the Abu Dhabi emirate alone.

The relocation of Hamdan branch marks the Bank's eleventh UAE branch, since it opened 50 years ago, making it the largest international operator of branches and ATMs - which has now increased to 128 - in the UAE.

The Standard Chartered Financial Centre will soon open for night banking until 8 PM.

The new flagship branch was inaugurated by Shaikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, along with Standard Chartered Bank's Group executive director for Africa, Middle East, Europe and the Americas Gareth Bullock, and senior executives.

Shaikh Nahyan said :"The launch of the Standard Chartered Financial Centre demonstrates their continuous support to the growth of Abu Dhabi."

"The opening of our new state-of-the-art Financial Centre is part of our strategy to target areas, and bring services which are more tailored to our customer base," said Gareth Bullock. "This latest lifestyle branch provides a one of a kind banking experience, offering customers the comfort and convenience of a full-fledged bank branch built within a café environment, "he said.

The Abu Dhabi Standard Chartered Financial Centre marks a new milestone in the Bank's retail strategy to provide a differentiated banking experience to a diverse range of customers including mass affluent customers, reinforcing Standard Chartered Bank's commitment to exceeding its customers' expectations.

"This lifestyle banking concept provides a range of specialised high-end services to serve the needs of the affluent Khalidiya neighbourhood. café and free internet access within a bank meets the needs of customers who are accustomed to experiencing banking relationships beyond conventional banking services and facilities", said Jeremy Parrish, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank, Abu Dhabi & Al Ain.



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