Commercial Bank of Dubai and Al Shabab Club score big with the launch of co-branded Pre-paid Card

• Cashless solution is consistent with the UAE government's e-initiatives
• Co-branded card reduces administrative paperwork and costs for Al Shabab Club and eliminates the risks involved in distribution of large amounts of cash
• Pre-paid Card can be used as a debit card at any point-of-sale in the UAE and can also be used for ATM withdrawals

In keeping with the UAE government’s e-initiatives, Commercial Bank of Dubai and Al Shabab Club today launched a co-branded pre-paid card in a move that offers cashless convenience to the club’s staff members and fans. 

The move is consistent with Commercial Bank of Dubai’s commitment to provide innovative electronic financial solutions in line with the UAE government’s drive for a cashless society, in addition to the Bank’s keenness to support the sports movement in the United Arab Emirates. 

The CBD-Al Shabab Pre-paid Card seeks to significantly reduce administrative paperwork and costs for the management of Al Shabab, and eliminate the risk involved in the distribution of large amounts of cash.

Through direct reloading of the card, cardholders will be able to receive their salaries without delay. In addition, they will also be able to avoid the risk of theft as they no longer need to carry large amounts of cash for purchases. Cardholders can use their CBD-Al Shabab Pre-Paid Card to pay for purchases at any point-of-sale as well as to withdraw cash from ATMs all over the world, just as they would use their debit cards.

The cashless solution will also help cardholders control and track their spending more effectively through the balance enquiry and a detailed card statement every month.

The agreement was signed by Frans Jan Burkens, Deputy General Manager, Personal Banking Group at CBD and Khalifa Hareb, Board member of Al Shabab Club, in the presence of Matar Suroor, CEO of Al Shabab Club, Jamal Mahyo, Finance Director and Malika Al Hashimi, Head of Business Development & Strategic Partnerships at the Bank, during a ceremony held at the club’s headquarters in Dubai. 

Marking the launch of the CBD-Al Shabab Pre-paid Card, CBD’s Frans Jan Burkens, commented: “Commercial Bank of Dubai has once again taken the lead in offering cashless convenience to our partners and customers. We are delighted to partner with such a prestigious and historic football club, offering its members, fans and staff to enjoy the co-branded pre-paid card’s superior benefits.” 

Malika Al Hashimi said: “The partnership furthers CBD’s commitment to support the sports movement in the country – an activity that’s consistent with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR),”.

Khalifa Hareb from Al Shabab Club said the partnership with CBD will have far-reaching effects on the way the club undertakes transactions. He said the new co-branded pre-paid card offered by one of the country’s leading financial institutions illustrates CBD’s keenness to support sports and the youth in the UAE. This is among CBD’s many pioneering initiatives to push UAE sports to the next level, he said.

“This will go a long way in improving the off-the-field goals of our stakeholders. Athletes, fans and the entire sports sector in the UAE stand to benefit from this partnership,” he said.

The UAE economy is fast taking the lead in moving away from being a predominantly cash-based society. The UAE Government has taken strong leadership in promoting electronic payments to support social and economic goals.

Commercial Bank of Dubai is playing a leading role in fast-tracking the UAE’s shift to cashless transactions through the launch of a range of solutions designed to meet the financial requirements of organisations and institutions in all sectors. The Bank has launched co-branded pre-paid cards for a number of UAE institutions, including the Al Ahli Club, Dubai Chamber, Community Development Authority, Beit Al Khair Society, and now the Al Shabab Club.