Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) recently signed an agreement with CNS Middle East and global company Diebold Nixdorf, to enhance customer experience by introducing more cutting edge technology application and self-service functionalities in the bank.

The agreement aligns with the UAE’s vision 2021, aimed at achieving a competitive technology advanced knowledge economy based on innovation, along with the bank’s strategy to keep pace with the latest global digital banking technologies.

SIB will gradually replace its existing ATMs with Diebold Nixdorf’s modern, state-of-the-art stand-alone ATMs, CCDMs and drive through ATMs from the DN Series™, as well as full-fledged Multi-Function Kiosks (MFKs), providing customers access to a variety of unique services.

These new models will be equipped with an innovative software, smarter services, and a variety of new features including a higher capacity for cash dispensing and acceptance. The ATMs will feature NFC card readers as well as traditional card readers and will come with an Emirates ID reading and biometrics authentication capability. The machines are installed with fourth generation media engines for faster detection of counterfeit notes. The ATMs are equipped to provide services including opening accounts, issuing bank cards and bank statement and obtaining the statement of account in simple steps, and easy methods.

His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah, CEO of Sharjah Islamic Bank said, “We are always eager to utilize modern technologies to re-invent creative services that contribute to facilitating access to our banking services, reducing customer waiting time and ensuring their needs are met quickly and effectively.  He added: “Through the ATM Revamp Project, around 70 new digital services will be introduced on these machines to provide an immersive and engaging customer experience and also to reduce the footfall at the branches.” He highlighted SIB's commitment to undergo digital transformation across various domains, to better enhance the customer’s banking experience.

On his side Hatem Hariri, Managing Director, CNS Middle East said “In any industry, CNS delivers its promise to future-proof a client’s business through digital innovations that meet their customers’ ever-changing needs. In the banking sector, especially, digitalization means more than efficiencies and revenues; it’s transforming a bank from a place customers keep their money into a trusted service provider that makes their lives easier in more ways every day”

Today’s digitized self-service channels empower consumers to connect and transact the way they want, wherever and whenever they want to engage. This new family of self-service solutions, connects physical and digital channels, offering more personalization, more efficiency and more availability to help customers drive deeper connections with their banks.

The sophisticated machines will provide customers with access to cash withdrawal, enquires, bill payments and transfers, cheque book and debit card printing. Other features include opening a new account by submitting documents which will be scanned using the EIDA fingerprint integration and video interaction with SIB customer service officers in case of any queries or grievances. These devices are designed in a way to provide the highest degree of privacy for customers

Habib Hanna, Managing Director, Middle East at Diebold Nixdorf said “The way people are banking is changing and a commitment to embracing innovation is key. ATMs are a critical digital channel and by implementing our integrated, self-service solutions and Vynamic™ Connection Points software, SIB can meet and exceed consumer demands.  Consumers will have access to secure, digital-first solutions that deliver flexible services for all of their everyday banking needs.”

Sharjah Islamic Bank always seeks to provide the most innovative and pioneering service of the industry, which are designed to meet the need of its diverse customer base.