In the fast moving world of finance, payments and card technologies, Dubai is set to address the key issues within the region’s largest and longest running retail banking event. The 10th Middle East Retail Banking Forum and Exhibition is scheduled for the 6 – 7 April 2015 within the heart of Dubai’s finance district – the Ritz Carlton, DIFC.

Key issues currently within the banking and finance industry revolve around payment technologies and online and mobile banking. With the recent announcement between Emirates ID Authority (EIDA) and Al Hilal Bank which enables customers to use their EIDA card for ATM transactions, the area of mobile banking and payment technologies is moving apace. Add this to the fact that between November 2001 and September 2013, HSBC conducted over US$900million of payments through their HSBCnet mobile platform in the UAE alone, the issue of security and the safety of storage is of huge importance for the industry.
The 10th Middle East Retail Banking Forum & Expo is set to address these areas and more as well as showcase the latest cards and payment technologies in a new and expanded format that will allow more than 100 vendor companies and 1,500 senior professionals to network and discuss the key topics and solutions over 2 days.

Key topics covered include: fraud prevention in online and mobile banking; the UAE Mobile wallet project; and measuring branch technologies, while industry gurus will discuss and debate areas such as: a shift in new banking attitudes and the technologies; and innovations needed to keep apace of the fast moving consumer needs.

Alex Heuff, Exhibition Director for Fleming Gulf, organisers of the event commented “the Middle East and UAE are starting to catch up with the Western world when it comes to banking technologies and mobile payments. Gone are the days where companies can expect customers to write multiple cheques for goods and services with contactless payments and online banking the way forward. The 10th Middle East Banking Forum and Expo will highlight and introduce new technologies which will transform the regions banking industry.”

Organisers, Fleming Gulf, have announced that, already, some of the leading regional gurus have agreed to speak at the conference. These include: Ghazi Qarout, Chief Information Office, Qatar Islamic Bank; Abrar Mir, EVP & Group Head – Digital Money & Mobile Payments, United Bank Limited; Arup Mukhopadhyay, Executive Vice President Head – Consumer Banking Group, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank; and Peter D Halsor, Chief Customer Experience Office, Riyad Bank among others with more to be announced over the coming weeks and months.