Mashreq partners with Infusion to deepen customer relations with intelligent digital interactions in new, ultra-modern branch experience powered by Microsoft technology
UAE – November 19, 2013 – The Region’s leading financial institution, Mashreq has brought the future of digital banking to its customers. Launched at five installations (branches) across the Region – Dubai Internet City, Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai Mall, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi Main – Mashreq invited customers to touch, gesture, and engage with the banks product offerings through new interactive digital experiences. By collaborating with the Infusion team – who leveraged Microsoft technologies as the platform – Mashreq was able to realize its vision and bring to fruition one of the most stunning and elegant digital banking experiences in the region. As a result of this deployment, Mashreq was named “Best Banking Innovation in the Region” by Banker Middle East Industry Awards for its innovative approach including the Infusion retail concept.
“Our new interactive branches are an industry first. Our customers live a digital lifestyle every day in how they work and live; now at our branches, they can expect the same enriched experiences they have with technology with this modernized bank,” said David Horton, Chief Transformation Officer, Mashreq. “Our work with Infusion enabled us to present a series of interactive digital experiences that will empower our clients to make confident decisions about their finances, with the right information that meets their lifestyle and their needs. That is our vision, to provide our customers the most rewarding banking relationship. The Infusion team brought our vision to life and made it happen.”
Mashreq is the UAE’s leading financial institution, serving millions of consumer and business clients within the Region. The Bank has led the industry with smart solutions for mobile and online banking. To further modernize its offerings and continue its commitment to great experiences for its clients, Mashreq joined forces with the Infusion team. With the launch of its E-Cube Retail Branches, the Bank is able to transform traditional transactional banking through the use of intelligent interactive experiences and advanced technology solutions – creating more rewarding and enhanced customer service.
Mashreq’s Interactive Digital Wall: A digital wall was built to showcase lifestyle scenarios for clients, where Mashreq can play a role. From accident insurance to lifestyle changes like a new home, the digital wall showcases the many products and services that fit Mashreq customer’s needs. The technology is interactive and actionable. Marrying Microsoft Kinect Sensors with large multi-touch display, the Bank displays animations based on passers-by and allows the ability to interact through gestural and multi-touch user interface. The wall is large and in high definition resolution, and is triggered by simple behavior such as a customer waving or someone walking by.
Informing & Engaging Solutions Through varied multi-touch devices throughout the branch, Mashreq has created a digital product showcase, to offer information and details on products and services offered by the Bank. The customer can search for and obtain answers to questions without waiting in line. The devices include text, video, image content and QR codes, for customers to take away more information.
Empowering & Modernizing Experiences Mashreq collaborated with Infusion’s design and technology expertise to build several assisted experiences, consisting of kiosks with Microsoft PixelSense. The kiosks facilitate staff-customer collaboration in an illustrative way, which integrates with Microsoft Lync client to reach available consultants or product specialists. It displays a series of animations when not in use, and can let users find out more about complex products like home financing, by offering an interactive mortgage simulator. The kiosks also solicit feedback from customers, providing a forum for e-mails to the customer about products and services with inputted data.
“Our clients look to us for forward thinking and to be there to meet their needs in the fast paced and ever changing market of finance.” said Vimal Sethi, Vice President and General Manager, Infusion Dubai. “The team at Mashreq partnered with Infusion and shared their vision for the modernized bank, and we captured that imagination through elegant design and smart technology solutions to bring it to life. Our client has always led the market with thoughtful and intuitive offerings, always putting its customers first. We share this excitement. Infusion brought our passion, our insight, creativity, and engineering expertise to the planning and execution. Our commitment to deliver on excellence shows in this engaging experience and the possibilities to build on these imaginative experiences are limitless. Our heartfelt congratulations to Mashreq Bank on this industry first achievement.”
“At Microsoft, we are committed to empowering businesses to innovate more, enhancing their customers’ experience. We are very happy to see Mashreq’s digital experiences for its clients come to life through our technology platform ,” said Samer Abu Ltaif, Regional General Manager at Microsoft Gulf. “Microsoft technology is the fuel for innovation at Mashreq, and in partnership with Infusion, has delivered to the bank’s customers a digital banking environment with the full potential of touch and gesture technologies, making processes easier for both the bank and its customers.”
About Infusion:
Infusion unites insight, creativity, and technology to accelerate and transform business for leading companies around the world. From high performance trading systems to next-generation retail environments and beyond, Infusion creates digital experiences and advanced technology solutions that bring our clients’ business to new levels. Founded in New York City in 1998, Infusion today is a team of more than 500 people in offices across the globe. Infusion has deep expertise in digital design, emerging and legacy technologies, Web portal development, enterprise solutions and managed services. Infusion’s expertise extends across the major industries, including retail, financial services, oil and gas, health and life sciences, entertainment, hospitality, education, and public sector. For more information, please visit www.Infusion.com.
About Mashreq:
Mashreq is one of the UAE’s leading National Financial institutions and the second oldest. Founded in 1967 as Bank of Oman, the bank has played a pioneering role in the industry, particularly in retail banking. Among its many firsts, it was the first to launch such products as travelers’ cheques, credit cards and ATMs.
Mashreq has received numerous international awards reflecting the bank’s successful record, such as the Best Credit Card and Best Debit Card by Smart Card Awards Middle East 2013, Best Retail Bank UAE Award by Global Banking & Financial Review 2013, Best Debt House Award by EMEA Finance 2012, Best Regional Consumer Internet Bank for Online Deposit, Credit and Investment Product offerings’ by Global Finance Best Internet Bank Awards 2012, Best Regional Retail Bank by The Banker ME Industry Awards 2012, Best Branch Design Award & Best Islamic Investment Fund Award for Mashreq Al Islami Income Fund from Banker Middle East Product Awards 2012, Dubai Human Development Appreciation Award 2012 for its efforts towards the Development of the Emiratisation initiative.
As a leading financial Institution in the UAE, Mashreq aims to be world class in every facet of its business; including its social responsibility to the community it serves in. Towards this goal the bank pays particular attention to recruiting, training, developing and retaining UAE National employees.