GCC BANKERS PARTICIPATE IN THE HOSTED BANKER PROGRAM AT THE REGION’S LARGEST BANKING INNOVATION SUMMIT HELD IN DUBAI

• The summit will be held on 5^th and 6^th September 2016 at Palazzo Versace, Dubai

The banking sector in the Middle East has grown tremendously over the past few years. With a great deal of emphasis laid on technology adoption in the banking sector, the ever-changing banking landscape has seen a consistent growth in demand for innovative technology and services. According to multiple reports, mobile payments and digital banking strategy seem to be the way forward for banks across the Middle East region.

Against this backdrop, Expotrade, organizers of the largest banking technology summit in the GCC region will be organizing the 6^th edition of the Middle East Banking Innovation Summit on 5-6 September 2016 at the iconic Palazzo Versace hotel in Dubai. The event brings together the who’s who of the banking and technology industry in the Middle East region in a bid to educate, share and innovate new approaches that will shape this industry.

Speaker session in progress at the 5^th Annual Middle East Banking Innovation Summit 2015

The Middle East Banking Innovation Summit has opened its doors to the first Hosted Banker program. As part of the hosted bankers program, senior Middle East bankers travelling to the event can partake in educational sessions, schedule meetings and conduct fruitful business that will provide new opportunities of growth and build long term business relationship. Senior Middle East bankers enrolling as Hosted Bankers also stand to benefit from complimentary travel and accommodation along with refreshments for two days.

“Our banking summit has successfully established itself as the leading banking technology summit in the region. This time around, we have introduced a unique program designed specifically for senior bankers based outside the UAE, called the Hosted Bankers program. With a roster of internationally and regionally acclaimed speakers and global technology players, our summit has gained the attention and interest of a large number of senior bankers across this region.” said Mr. Brad Hariharan, Regional Director, Expotrade Middle East.

In line with the market trends influencing the banking technology domain, the summit will covertopical issues and provide delegates with a comprehensive knowledge on pertinent topics including block chain revolution, innovations in the payment industry, adoption of biometric banking and transforming the customer experience amongst others.Speaking at the summit are international and regional senior level experts including SiamakAmirghodsi, VP – Data Management & Advanced Analytics, OCC; Sagheer Mufti, Chief Operating Officer, ADIB; SuvoSarkar, General Manager – Retail Banking & Wealth Management, Emirates NBD; AngyAboud, Vice President, Customer Strategist, Barclays Group; Zubair Ahmed, SVP, Head of IT & Business Innovation, Emirates Islamic and Prashant Nair,Head of Operational Risk & Governance, Noor Bank.

Leading companies such asComarch, Pinpay, IMTF, Gemalto, AirWatch andAppello supporting the summit as premium sponsors will showcase their products designed for the banking domain at the Innovation Lounge.

Mr. Hariharan, further added, “Non-UAE based senior bankers participating at the summit are able to effectively maximize their time at the event by pre-scheduling one-on-one meetings with global leaders and key decision makers from leading international and regional organizations across the globe.”

To know more about the 6^thAnnual Middle East Banking Innovation Summit, please check http://www.bankinnovation-me.com/. Applications for the Hosted Bankers program is now open. Interested participants can register their interest at http://www.bankinnovation-me.com/hosted-bankers-program.html. Follow the Summit on social media with the hashtag #MEBIS2016.