National Bank of Fujairah launches SME community platform - NBF Connect
National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) has launched NBF Connect, a dedicated and banking platform exclusively for the small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Co-created with SMEs, the platform will serve as a one-stop shop for members including access to a suite of services and solutions as well as knowledge-sharing capabilities.
The platform will provide members with exclusive features like a suite of business services provided by fellow SMEs that cover HR services, legal support, e-commerce and marketplace management among others. NBF Connect will be an important part of the business ecosystem that is supported by partners like Etisalat and Visa that will offer its members a range of non-banking services to empower SMEs in their journey.
NBF Connect will also have a discussion platform where SMEs will be engaging in industry-focused conversations such as the opportunities and challenges that currently exist, a news and events hub where members will be receiving the latest SME news and business trends coupled by a calendar of the latest SME events.
Rehan Ali, Head of Business Banking at NBF said: “SMEs contribute up to 40% of Dubai’s GDP alone. As such, we are proud to be the first bank to launch a platform that caters specifically to the needs and aspirations of these businesses. This platform embodies our long-term commitment to UAE’s vibrant business ecosystem as we worked closely with the SME community to bring it to life. Through NBF Connect, we aim to not only become the platform of choice for SMEs, but to play a pivotal role in driving this sector to the next level and contribute positively to the overall eco-system”.
During the development phase for NBF Connect, the bank hosted several design thinking workshops that brought together SMEs across business verticals to collect their feedback to help the bank build a platform that will be a digital space co-created with its SMEs.
