Emirates NBD, a leading bank in the region, together with the DIFC FinTech Hive, a fintech accelerator in the Middle East, are the first in the region to certify FinTech startups who have successfully used the Emirates NBD’s API Sandbox to create and demonstrate working innovative financial solutions.
The five FinTech startups that successfully presented their product integration with Emirates NBD’s API Sandbox, and graduated from the initiative with a certificate of collaboration, were as follows:
Monimove, a digital trade finance/supply chain solution
Norbloc, a shared know-your-customer (KYC) solution using distributed ledgers (Blockchain)
Bankbuddy, a chatbot for the financial industry
Launched by Emirates NBD Future Lab in 2018, the API Sandbox is a first in the region, marking an important milestone in the bank’s AED 1 billion digital transformation programme. The platform, which was opened up to developers and FinTech firms, consists of over 200 APIs and 500 end points covering retail, corporate and SMEs. Developers also have access to over five million simulated customer transactions based on the Banking Industry Architecture Network model.
Commenting on the announcement, Abdulla Qassem, Group Chief Operating Officer, Emirates NBD, said:
“As a pioneer of innovation in the region’s banking sector, Emirates NBD is proud to certify five FinTech startups in collaboration with DIFC FinTech Hive. We are confident that this initiative will pave the path for many more collaborations in the future between banks and FinTechs in the region, helping tackle various challenges while delivering a smarter and more secure customer experience in the process.”
Emirates NBD’s API Sandbox equips FinTechs and developers with the right tools to transform their ideas into working prototypes which integrate with the bank’s sandbox technology architecture, with the goal of accelerating the development and market introduction of digital banking products and services, while recognising FinTechs globally.
The programme was open to all registered FinTechs in the DIFC FinTech Hive, allowing them to do their integration work, and present their integrated value propositions to senior leaders from Emirates NBD, thus proving their technology’s ability to integrate with a real bank, and whilst also standing a chance to possibly pursue further collaboration with the bank.
Raja Al Mazrouei, Executive Vice President of DIFC FinTech Hive, commented:
“It’s been great to see the progression of DIFC-based FinTechs through this process, and really highlights the role the Centre is playing in driving the future of finance. The API Sandbox initiative has reinforced our continued partnership with Emirates NBD and, following its success, we look forward to seeing further collaborations come to fruition.”
