The initiatives follow the bank’s recently concluded IT transformation program and will further enhance the bank’s vision to be the most innovative bank for its customers, people and communities.

In 2022, Emirates NBD enhanced its digital partnerships and fintech engagement operating model, as a framework for strategic collaborations to tackle the challenges of today and envision solutions for the future. The collaboration framework with Microsoft operates across five streams: Technology, Customer Experience, Leveraging existing investments, Partners eco-system and Innovation to Net-Zero.

“As our world evolves, so do our digital priorities,” said Miguel Rio Tinto, Group Chief Information & Digital Officer, Emirates NBD. “As a digital pioneer in the region’s banking sector, Emirates NBD is deeply committed to technological advancement so we can deliver innovative digital banking services to our customers, in addition to enhancing internal employee productivity and wellbeing. As we advance in our digital transformation journey, we are delighted to work with Microsoft, as our technology partner on these initiatives as well as emerging spaces like the Metaverse and for conducting business sustainably.”

Emirates NBD and Microsoft will explore ways to leverage the power of low-code development using platforms such as Power Apps, empowering citizen developers and enhancing a digital mindset across the banking group to strengthen its focus on being the most innovative bank for customers, people and communities.

“Microsoft is proud to be working closely with Emirates NBD’s Digital Partnership program,” said Naim Yazbeck, General Manager, Microsoft UAE. “The Microsoft Cloud UAE locations are the ideal home for innovation for regional FSI visionaries, and Emirates NBD has shown time and again its determination to lead on creating business solutions using innovative technologies. We are delighted to be supporting them on this journey.”

Employee wellbeing will also take a prominent place in the collaboration, addressing the high demands of hybrid work and digital wellbeing. Through the strategic leverage of Microsoft technologies, Emirates NBD is exploring how to enhance employees’ productivity and wellbeing through data-driven, privacy-protected insights and recommendations.

Additionally, Microsoft and Emirates NBD will bring the world of mixed reality and applications to the financial services market, supporting the UAE’s Metaverse strategy and establishing Emirates NBD as the financial services partner of choice for Web 3.0 initiatives. And finally, with the bank’s continuous commitment to sustainability, the program includes a stream on continuous innovation towards Net-Zero, and Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability will play a beneficial role to its “record, report, and reduce” approach to environmental impact.

Emirates NBD will also adopt AI technologies to enhance customer engagement systems for both institutional and individual customers.