Ajman bank stages official opening

Dubai: Ajman Bank, the emirate's first Islamic commercial bank, was officially opened yesterday at a formal ceremony led by His Highness Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman.

It was attended by Shaikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and chairman of Ajman Bank, Deputy Chairman, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi and other dignitaries.

The flagship branch, which announced its inaugural account openings in December, represents the retail side of Ajman Bank while corporate banking activity has been underway behind the scenes for the past six months.

During the opening, guests were invited to enjoy Ajman Bank's hospitality at a majlis erected especially for the occasion, followed by a tour of the branch which is now open for business.

Guests were encouraged to experience the branch and its brand, which have been designed to reflect a sense of warmth, openness and Ajman Bank's ambition to bring back the "human touch" that has been lost in modern banking.

Ajman Bank chairman Shaikh Ammar said, "When we developed the vision for this bank, we wanted to create not just another financial institution, but a place where all customers, from individuals and families to small businesses and large companies could feel secure in the knowledge that their future is being safe guarded by a team that cares.

"Although we are just at the start of our journey to success, the team and I know that we will be able to achieve this ambition, in spite of the challenges we all face today."

"This official opening is a momentous day for all involved, representing the culmination of months of hard work and dedication by board members, senior management and the wider team and we look forward to watching our new bank, and indeed our emirate, learn, grow and succeed."

Yousif Khalaf, CEO of Ajman Bank, commented, "Today, we need retail and corporate customers that do well, save sufficiently and grow sustainably, making a closer relationship banking approach favourable to more anonymous transactional banking. From the very beginning, we have wanted to create strong relationships, make our customers feel part of our business and our community banking approach fits perfectly with this."

Plans remain on track for further branches to be opened in Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi every quarter of 2009 and a second branch is set to open in Ajman this month.