Al Hilal Bank named ‘Best Islamic Financial Pioneer of the Year’ at 2013 Tatweej Academy for Excellence Awards

Al Hilal Bank named ‘Best Islamic Financial Pioneer of the Year’ at 2013 Tatweej Academy for Excellence Awards

Progressive Islamic bank honored for innovative offerings & high global credit rating

December 18, 2013

Al Hilal Bank has announced that it has won as ‘Best Islamic Financial Pioneer’ at the 2013 Tatweej Academy for Excellence Awards held recently at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai. The bank was honored for its valuable contributions towards developing a robust Shariah-compliant financial infrastructure for the region through its initiatives, projects and practices.

A golden ‘Nibras’ Trophy was handed to Al Hilal Bank in recognition of its key modernization and performance enhancement initiatives, strategic partnerships, sustainability programs, and innovative products. Nibras Trophies are given to business and finance leaders and leading Islamic banks for showing exceptional initiative, creativity, leadership, and performance.

Judges commended Al Hilal for receiving the highest international credit ratings to be awarded to an Islamic bank in the UAE – an A1 rating from Moody’s and an A+ rating from Fitch Ratings. The Bank also earned votes for efficiently managing two major funds, the GCC Equity Fund and the Al Hilal Global Sukuk Fund; consistently bagging major awards such as the ‘Middle East Retail Bank of the Year’ at Timetric’s 2013 Retail Banker International Awards; and introducing innovative products such as the world’s first Qibla credit card and the world’s first electric-powered mobile banking fleet.

“From its inception Al Hilal Bank set out to be ‘a bank not like any other bank.’ We always strive to be the freshest, smartest and brightest in our field. Our win at the Tatweej Academy for Excellence Awards affirms our exceptional ability to deliver pioneering products and services to our valued customers who are always at the core of our plans and activities. Islamic banking is emerging as a powerful catalyst in a changing global economic order and Al Hilal intends to lead industry in showcasing and harnessing its full potential,” said Mohamed Jamil Berro, the Group CEO of Al Hilal Bank.

The Tatweej Academy Excellence Awards is collaboratively organized by the Tatweej Academy for Excellence and Quality and the Arab Organisation for Social Responsibility. The annual event recognizes the leading achievements of prominent Arab figures and organizations in promoting a culture of quality and excellence for the benefit of the Arab community.

Al Hilal Bank is one of the fastest growing banks in the UAE. It has been the recipient of various local and international industry recognitions for excellence in Islamic banking. Al Hilal Bank currently operates 22 branches and 120 ATMs in the UAE as well as three overseas branches in Kazakhstan.