NBK offers World Cup fans a limited edition prepaid card

Source: NBK website. The NBK FIFA World Cup prepaid
cards.

The National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has launched a new, limited-edition prepaid card celebrating FIFA and the upcoming World Cup series for football lovers in Kuwait.

The FIFA World Cup Prepaid card is exclusive to NBK customers and includes all standard prepaid card benefits and options. It is available to all NBK customers over 17 years old and Shabab customers who transfer their allowance to NBK.

Customers can apply for the card easily via the NBK mobile banking app, or the NBK website NBK.com. The card will be delivered to your doorstep with no extra fee.

“NBK offers this unique, limited edition FIFA World Cup prepaid card for our customers who are football enthusiasts,” said Mohammed Al Othman, GM, Consumer Banking Group, National Bank of Kuwait. “Holders enjoy all the benefits of an NBK prepaid card including NBK Rewards, Visa Global Assistance and other flexible and convenient offers and benefits.”

“NBK creates the best services and products tailored to suit our customers lifestyle needs,” Al Othman added. “We go the extra mile to show appreciation to our customers. This is part of the bank’s long term strategy to build lasting, loyal relationships with our customers.”

Card benefits include control over budgeting and spending, worldwide recognition and NBK secure Shopping. Card holders can determine how much to transfer to the card, thus setting their own spending limits. The card can also be reloaded via the NBK mobile banking app or NBK.com website. Prepaid card holders also earn cash back and other rewards as part of the NBK Rewards loyalty programme.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia runs from 14 June to 15 July.

Travel rewards galore with the NBK Miles World Mastercard

Source: NBK. The NBK Miles World Mastercard.

Frequent travellers from Kuwait can earn points and gain airport lounge access with the NBK Miles World Mastercard. 

NBK Miles Points can be redeemed to book flights with more than 800 airlines, 150,000 hotels, and renowned car rental agencies around the world. When encashing miles, cardholders can fly to any destination on any airline, from any point of origin, and at any time of the year. There are no blackout dates, and no limit on the number of seats. Even ticket taxes can be paid using your miles points. 

“NBK’s Miles World Mastercard programme is very convenient, as it allows customers to redeem points and plan their entire trip from booking tickets to hotel accommodation, and even car rentals. It also gives them access to the best lounges across the globe, among many other benefits,” said Hanadi Khazal, Assistant GM - Consumer Banking Group, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK).

NBK Miles World Mastercard credit card holders earn three NBK Miles Points for each KD1 spent in Kuwait and five NBK Miles Points for each KD1 spent while travelling abroad. Cardholders are also eligible for the NBK Rewards Program, the largest loyalty programme in the region with more than 700 partner outlets in fashion, dining, lifestyle and entertainment.

The Miles World travel programme is also open to NBK Visa Signature, NBK World Elite Mastercard and NBK Visa Infinite credit card holders. Other programme benefits include travel insurance, free valet parking, concierge service, travel offers, and discounts.

Details: 

Learn more about NBK credit cards online. A Right for me comparison tool shows the rewards, promotions and benefits available for each card. New cardholders receive 10,000 free bonus points upon using their new NBK Miles World Mastercard for the first time.

National Bank of Kuwait offers automated payroll services

Source: NBK website. Salary Portal services
include remote transfer of salary.

The National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has introduced a salary portal to help business owners pay salaries and comply with all Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor reporting requirements easily.

“NBK is always looking for simple and convenient solutions to make banking easier and more efficient for our customers,” said Faisal Al-Fulaij, Deputy Head of Business Banking National Bank of Kuwait, “We take a lot of time to know our customers’ needs and create innovative, easy-to-use products to that end.”

With the NBK Salary Portal companies can transfer monthly allowances or salaries each month remotely. The salary portal then processes the salaries and creates a record of the payments which is then automatically sent to the Social Affairs and Labor Ministry of Kuwait. This simplifies compliance with government regulations and also creates an audit trail while reducing errors or inconsistencies. NBK charges KD1 per salary for the service.

NBK has 13 dedicated business banking hubs around the country including at the Head Office, Surra, Shuwaikh, Al Tadamoun, Mubarak Al-Kabeer, Jabriya, Arraya Tower 2 (fifth floor), Fintas, Salwa, Sharq, Al Ghazzali, Ras Salmiya and Hawally. The hubs are staffed with relationship officers dedicated to serving the needs of business banking clients. NBK Business Banking also offers point of sale, business credit cards, online banking, insurance, business loans, letters of credit and guarantee and local bill services.

National Bank of Kuwait discounts wearables used for contactless payment

Source: NBK website. Tap & Pay can be enabled on a watch which is then tapped on the payment terminal to deduct money from an NBK card account.

The National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) is offering its Tap & Pay wearables for KD12 instead of KD25 to give more customers an opportunity to experience the technology.

NBK Tap & Pay is a secure payment solution technology that allows small purchases to be made without signing or using a PIN. Instead, customers place a Tap & Pay wristband or Tap & Pay sticker on their mobile phone on the payment terminal to deduct the amount from their NBK credit, debit, or prepaid card. Tap & Pay accepts purchases of up to KD100.

More than 7,000 restaurants, shops, entertainment centres, coffee shops and lifestyle brands now accept the NBK Tap & Pay service in Kuwait, in addition to different locations around the world.

“We’ve launched this promotion, offering a discount on Tap & Pay wristbands and stickers, to give customers a chance to try it out and discover how much easier this stylish and innovative payment technology makes their lives. Tap & Pay technology is convenient to use, seamless and simple. It makes small payments easy and safe while enhancing the checkout experience,” said Naser Alduwaisan, Cards Products Officer, National Bank of Kuwait.

Details:

The offer is available at NBK branches at The Avenues, Grand Avenues, Surra, Qurain, KNPC, Al-Hamra and Mishref. Phone orders are accepted via the NBK Call Center at 1801 801.

ABK adds NFC capabilities to Visa premium credit and prepaid cards

Source: ABK. ABK adds NFC capabilities to Visa premium credit and prepaid cards.

Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) recently announced the launch of the all new Tap 'n' Go service that is now available for Visa premium credit and prepaid cardholders. The new service uses Visa payWave, a contactless payment technology that enables cardholders to simply wave or tap their card on contactless payment terminals without the need to physically swipe or insert the card into a point-of-sale.

Tap 'n' Go uses near field communication (NFC) technology and allows customers to conduct low value transactions in a faster, more convenient and secure way at any terminal that accepts Visa payWave.

Stewart Lockie, GM - Retail Banking at ABK said: “The launch of the new Tap 'n' Go service is one step further towards applying the Bank’s Simpler Banking strategy, which has been a priority. ABK’s Emirates Visa Infinite, Signature and Gold Prepaid Travel cardholders can apply for a Visa payWave-enabled card at any of the bank's branches.”

“Visa is pleased with Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait’s decision to implement Visa’s payWave technology, which is in line with Visa’s objectives to provide easy, secure, and convenient payment solutions to our consumers in Kuwait. Delivering a seamless payment experience to our customers is a priority for us. Visa’s innovation leadership means extending the benefits of electronic payments to more people in more places where and when they want them — whether they choose traditional cards, Visa payWave-enabled cards or smartphones with Visa mobile payment functionality,” said Amit Vij, Kuwait Country Manager at Visa.

Visa payWave is accepted globally and is specifically of value when transacting in fast-paced locations like supermarkets, and public transport in cities in Europe and in Singapore. 

Kuwait Finance House introduces Al Rabeh salary account

Kuwait Finance House (KFH) has launched the Al-Rabeh salary account, which offers clients the opportunity to win two 2016 Range Rovers and 3 kg of gold every quarter. Al-Rabeh is also an investment savings account that gives clients annual dividends.

The account is offered for clients wishing to transfer their salaries and manage their personal accounts with the ability to save and invest. Al-Rabeh account is available for individuals in KD, and it requires salary transfers to enter the draw. KFH invests 100% of the sum available in the account according to mudarabah principles, where profits are calculated according to the minimum monthly balance invested.

Interested?

Clients can open this account at any of KFH 64 branches around Kuwait. The draws are held in January, April, July, and October, provided that three rounds of salaries have been deposited in the three months prior to the draw, and a minimum monthly balance of KD50 by the end of each month is maintained. Every additional KD 50 in the account entitles clients to additional chances in the draw.

National Bank of Kuwait opens a new branch in Saad Al Abdullah City

National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has a new branch in Saad Al Abdullah City, its third in the Al Jahra Governorate. The opening of the new branch comes in tandem with the bank's strategy to strengthen its domestic presence and better serve its customers.

The opening ceremony was attended by Retired Lieutenant General, Fahad Ahmad Al Amir, the Governor of Al Jahra, Mohammed Al Othman, Deputy General Manager, Consumer Banking Group and Ghadeer Al Awadhi, Assistant General Manager, Consumer Banking group along with NBK officials.

“NBK has maintained its leading position in the market by constantly investing in its local network to ensure the reach of products and services to a wider segment of customers.” said Salah Yousef Al Fulaij, NBK-Kuwait Chief Executive Officer. “NBK enjoys the largest banking network in Kuwait with more than 68 branches.”

Nadine Arton launches 2016 capsule collections

Nadine Arton, the designer behind the brand GlamOnYou, has launched a 2016 capsule collection under her own name. Represented by dynamic cuts and distinctive prints, the City and All Around the World collections are targeted at women of sophistication and glamour.

Produced with Nadine’s renowned quality and craftsmanship, each collection is inspired by Nadine's travels. Billowing tops combined with skirts alongside dresses to suit any city or occasion are part of the City Collection. The Shanghai Kaftan is reminiscent of the modern and cultural Chinese city while the London dress will bring ladies from work to the evening soiree.

The All Around the World line combines vibrant and geometric prints, bright materials and pastel colours. Add a pop of polka dots to the wardrobe with the Venice dress or check out the crocheted Moscow long skirt for a global travel experience. 

Interested?

View the collections in Nadine Arton’s showroom in Jumeirah, Dubai and at Salam stores in Wafi, Abu Dhabi as well as at Boutique Casual Chic, Kuwait.

*Images from Nadine Arton.

Kuwait expected to grow modestly in 2015

Source: KFH Research website.

KFH Research forecasts moderate growth for Kuwait in 2015. In Kuwait Focus 2015: Positive Adjustments, published in late December 2014, the research firm says that real GDP is exected to grow 3.8% in 2015 as compared to 4.1% estimated in 2014. 

This is in line with a modest GDP growth for the whole Gulf Cooperative Council region, which is anticipated to expand at 4.5% from 2014 to 15. Kuwait’s non-oil sector is expected to remain resilient at 5% to 6% as implementation of the government’s development projects maintains its robust pace. 

With many infrastructure projects already in the pipeline, the coming years are likely to witness significant infrastructure
investments to develop the transport, water, power, and refining sectors, KFH Research said.

Ramadhan timings across the Middle East

Bahrain*

Government ministries, authorities and public institutions: 8 am to 2 pm

Kuwait**

Government organisations: 10 am to 2 pm
Oman***

Ministries, public authorities and other departments of the state's administrative apparatus: 9 am to 2 pm 

Qatar****

General Directorate of Border Passports and Expatriate Affairs (Immigration Department), Nationality and Travel Documents Department: 8 am to 1 pm | 9 pm to 1 am

Traffic Department: 9 am to 2 pm | 9 pm to 1 am

Criminal Evidences and Information Department:

Headquarters: 8 am to 1 pm

Fingerprint Section at Industrial Area (for businesses): 8 am to 1 pm | 1 pm – 6 pm | 8 pm – 1 am

Fingerprint Section at external Service Centres: 8 am to 1 pm | 9 pm to 1 am


UAE*****

Federal government organisations and ministries: 9 am to 2 pm

The Ministry of Labour

Customer Service Counters: 9 am to 5 pm (two overlapping shifts, 9 am to 2 pm and 12:30 pm to 5 pm)

Dubai Chamber******
Sunday to Thursday: 8 am to 2 pm
Saturdays at the Main and Jebel Ali branches: 8 am to 1 pm

Department of Transport (DoT), Abu Dhabi paid Mawaqif (car parking) timings: 

9 am to 2 pm, and 9 pm to 2.30 am every day except Thursday.

9 am to 2 pm, and 9 pm to 12 am on Thursdays. 

The surface parking will be free on Fridays and public holidays. Ramadhan timings are not applicable for underground multi-storey parking. 

*Bahrain News Agency, June 24.
**Arab Times, June 23.
***Times of Oman, June 23.
****Marhaba Qatar June 26.
*****Emirates News Agency, June 27. The official government portal of the UAE states that non-Muslims are prohibited from eating, drinking or smoking in public during the fasting hours. Failure to such compliance could attract a month's jail term or fine of AED2000. Non-Muslims are also expected to dress conservatively.
******Dubai Chamber.