Al Ansari Exchange Launches Digital Issuance for Prepaid Cards, Promoting Financial Inclusion in the UAE
Within just a few seconds of application approval, UAE residents are issued a 16-digit Visa co-branded digital card ready for immediate use for seamless payments. The digital issuance eliminates the need for branch visits, allowing customers to access their cards from the comfort of their homes or on the go. To deliver an even smoother customer experience, the digital cards are easily integrated with major digital wallets, including Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay, offering customers the convenience and speed of contactless payments.
The TravelCard is tailored for travellers, offering competitive exchange rates, multi-currency support, and worldwide acceptance, making it an ideal companion for international trips. Meanwhile, the FlexiblePay card offers a versatile payment solution for everyday expenses, with easy reload options, online shopping capabilities, and seamless wallet integration. Both cards are equipped with enhanced security features to ensure safe transactions and peace of mind.
'We are thrilled to introduce the digital issuance of our TravelCard and FlexiblePay cards.' said Ali Al Najjar, COO of Al Ansari Exchange. 'This innovation reflects our commitment to providing cutting-edge financial solutions that are both convenient and secure. By leveraging digital technology, we aim to enhance the overall customer experience and meet the evolving needs of our clients. Our goal is to empower individuals from all walks of life, fostering financial
inclusion and enabling them to embrace the advantages of a cashless society, in line with the UAE's vision for a digital economy and its position as a global financial hub.'
Al Ansari Exchange is a technology-led financial services provider redefining remittances and currency exchange through secure, smart, and scalable digital solutions. With the UAE's largest network and a fast-growing app-based user base, it empowers millions to move money with ease and confidence. Rated 5A1 by Dun & Bradstreet for financial strength, it is trusted by millions and built for the future of finance.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
4 hours ago
- Zawya
Visa, SAB and AC Milan Women announce the winner of She's Next in Football program in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, today announced the winners of the inaugural She's Next in Football program in Saudi Arabia, held in partnership with Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB) and AC Milan Women. The initiative spotlights the Kingdom's most promising women footballers and marks a major step in advancing female talent in sports through mentorship, professional training, and international exposure. Fatima Alsenan was named the overall winner and will travel to Milan for a two-week 'Training with the PRO' experience at the PUMA House of Football, training alongside AC Milan Women's professional players and coaches. Zainab Alhomidi secured the runner-up position and will enjoy an exclusive VIP visit to AC Milan's training grounds. Both athletes were chosen from a highly competitive pool following a week-long training camp in Riyadh. Finalists were evaluated based on their football skills, leadership potential, and dedication to the game. The judging panel included representatives from Visa, SAB, and Saudi football icon Farah Jefry, who also serves as the program ambassador. 'Programs like She's Next in Football show us what's possible when ambition, talent, and opportunity come together. What sets these young women apart isn't just what they do. It's how they think with resilience, focus, and a willingness to grow. That mindset is exactly what She's Next is all about. Through partnerships with SAB and AC Milan Women, we're not just creating opportunities, building ecosystems that empower women to lead, inspire, and shape their communities. It's a model that works across sectors, and one we're proud to champion as part of Saudi Arabia's inclusive growth journey,' said Ali Bailoun, Visa's Regional General Manager for KSA, Bahrain, and Oman. Lama Ghazzaoui, Chief Financial Officer at SAB said, 'When women are given meaningful access to opportunity they rise, not only as athletes but as change makers. This partnership is about more than football, it is about creating a space for growth, confidence and ambition to take root. As the chair of BALANCE, SAB's employee diversity program, we strive to promote gender diversity in the workplace and the marketplace. We are also dedicated to contributing to a more inclusive future for sports in the Kingdom by supporting initiatives that expand opportunities for training, mentoring, and developing female talent, ultimately transforming it into professional capabilities.' Elisabet Spina, AC Milan Head of Women Football: 'At its core, She's Next in Football is a project aimed at unlocking the potential of young women, where ambition meets opportunity and talent is given the space it deserves. At AC Milan, in collaboration with SAB and Visa, we are proud to support these young women and accompany them on their journey of growth, both on and off the pitch. We are very pleased to welcome Fatima Alsenan to the PUMA House of Football, where she will begin a high-level growth journey within a Club whose prestige is globally recognized, and in close contact with top-tier professionals. This experience will allow her to immerse herself in a professional environment that fosters ambition, self-confidence, and personal development, both on and off the pitch.' Since its launch in 2023, Visa's She's Next initiative has empowered thousands of women across industries in Saudi Arabia, including fashion, gaming, and now sports. About Visa: Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers and businesses globally. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at About Visa, and @VisaCEMEA. About SAB: Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB) is one of the largest banks in the Kingdom, with a history in Saudi Arabia spanning over 90 years. Over the past nine decades, it has been an active partner in supporting the Kingdom's economic growth and social development. SAB is a leading corporate and institutional international bank in the Kingdom with a top Wealth & Personal Banking proposition. SAB is also a leader in in trade finance, foreign exchange, debt wholesale banking, digital service innovation, and ESG, in Saudi Arabia and the broader region. SAB offers integrated financial and banking services, including corporate banking, investment, private banking, and treasury. The bank's paid-up capital is SAR 20.5 billion, following its legal merger with Alawwal Bank on 14th March 2021, when it was formerly known as the Saudi British Bank (SABB). SAB operates under the supervision and regulation of the Saudi Central Bank and is a partner of the HSBC Group.
Tourism Breaking News
5 hours ago
- Tourism Breaking News
KSA residents embrace short Eid Al Adha getaways abroad while foreign pilgrims drive spend in Kingdom: Visa Data
Post Views: 30 According to Visa's Travel Pulse Eid Al Adha Edition, international travel by KSA residents rose by 25% compared to the same period in 2024. This growth was driven by a strong preference for shorter trips, with 69% of travelers from KSA opting for brief weekend getaways. They also made 21% more purchases abroad and spent 13% more overall this Eid, reflecting a preference to maximize the holidays with quick trips abroad. Travelers from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) took full advantage of this year's extended Eid Al Adha break, turning the six-day (June 5-10) holiday into an opportunity for cultural exploration, both at home and abroad. While many residents jetted off for short international getaways, the Kingdom also welcomed millions of foreign pilgrims during the Hajj season, driving a steady increase in travel to Saudi Arabia and spending. This Eid, international getaways became an opportunity for many KSA travelers to indulge in retail experiences. Shopping led the way across all major destinations, influencing not just how people spent, but also where they chose to go. • UAE led as the top international destination, welcoming 14% of KSA travelers and accounting for 23% of total international spend. With an average spend of $635 per card, fashion took center stage — seven of the top ten merchants were in the shopping and apparel category. Among the top brands were Dubai Duty Free Stores, Hermes, and Cartier, reflecting both a preference for convenient airport shopping and a strong appetite for luxury. Dining and entertainment were also high on the agenda. • Nine percent (9%) of travelers went to Turkey, making it the second most popular destination. It captured 15% of overall holiday spend with each visitor spending an average of $653 per card. • While UK attracted a smaller share of travelers from Saudi Arabia (6%) and overall spend (12%), it captured the highest spend per card at $839. This figure reflects the destination's premium retail appeal, with shopping leading how KSA visitors chose to spend. The Hajj season continued to play a meaningful role in Saudi Arabia's economic landscape. Compared to the same period last year, the Kingdom saw a 7% increase in the number of foreign pilgrims, who made 16% more purchases during their stay. While overall spending grew by 4% key shopping categories remained unchanged, including food, medicine, and other everyday needs, with smaller portions of spend going toward clothing and travel-related services. 'Whether it's a short break or a meaningful pilgrimage, having a simple and secure way to pay matters at every step of the journey.' said Ali Bailoun, Regional General Manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman at Visa. 'We are proud to support that through our unique data insights and seamless, reliable payment solutions, and to contribute to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 by helping create more connected, inclusive and seamless payment experiences across borders.'
Zawya
6 hours ago
- Zawya
UAE leads world in mobile shopping: Visa Acceptance Solutions
Dubai, UAE: The UAE has emerged as the world's leading market for mobile shopping, according to the 2025 Global Digital Shopping Index, UAE edition, commissioned by Visa Acceptance Solutions and conducted by PYMNTS Intelligence. Drawing on insights from a survey of 1,679 consumers and 329 merchants in the UAE, the report examines the growing role that mobile devices play in consumer behavior, providing UAE retailers insights to deliver more convenient and secure shopping experiences for their customers. Key findings: 67% of UAE consumers used their phones as part of their latest retail purchase - marking a 23% increase since 2022. UAE has the highest rate of online shopping with mobile devices, at 37%, ahead of Singapore (34.8%), the U.K. (27.6%), and Brazil (24.4%). 32% of UAE consumers surveyed used biometric authentication (such as fingerprint or facial recognition) for their latest online retail transaction, far exceeding the global average of 17%. 53% of UAE consumers want to use cross-channel shopping (across physical and digital channels and different devices), the second-highest rate globally. UAE shoppers rank among the highest worldwide in preferring rewards programs (75%), free shipping (73%), and price matching (70%). 38% of UAE shoppers made their most recent retail purchase online through a mobile phone or computer for home delivery. These trends are supported by a robust business and regulatory environment, with UAE merchants and government working closely to deliver secure, seamless, and customer-centric digital payment experiences. 'The UAE's approach shows what is possible when all stakeholders work together to build the future of commerce. Visa is delighted to contribute to the UAE government's digital commerce agenda, and we remain committed to working with local businesses and banks to introduce innovations such as Visa's Click to Pay that can deliver the digital payment experiences that today's consumers demand," said Salima Gutieva, Visa's Vice President and Country Manager for UAE. Demographics Consistently high rates of mobile shopping across demographic segments underscore just how universal the mobile-first mindset has become in the UAE. Millennials lead in mobile shopping at 73%, while Generation Z trails Generation X slightly. Baby boomers and seniors dropping off sharply, with just 18% using a mobile phone for their latest purchase. What this means for UAE businesses Retailers in the UAE can drive sales by ensuring their customers have frictionless payment and checkout experiences. Offering a wide range of payment options is crucial, as 77% of UAE shoppers say this factor influences where they shop. Also, just over one in four UAE consumers surveyed used credentials stored with the merchant for their most recent transaction, compared to 45% for the study average. These findings suggest that retailers should look for ways to make their stored credential offerings more appealing, while also providing the one-click options and biometric authentication that many UAE consumers prefer at checkout. To accelerate the digital transformation of retail, Visa is working with local partners to roll out Visa Click to Pay, which streamlines online shopping by providing advanced checkout experiences, eliminating the need to manually enter card details. At participating eCommerce platforms, consumers can simply click the Click to Pay button to complete their purchase quickly and securely use their preferred Visa card and shipping address. Visa's Click to Pay relies on tokenization as well as biometric authentication to protect consumer data. Biometric authentication is performed on the consumer's device and does not require the transfer of any biometric information. About the Report Findings are based on the 2025 Global Digital Shopping Index, which surveyed 18,468 consumers and 3,464 merchants across eight countries (U.S., U.K., Brazil, Mexico, Singapore, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE) between October and December 2024. For the UAE edition, 1,679 consumers and 329 merchants were surveyed. About Visa Inc. Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at About PYMNTS Intelligence PYMNTS Intelligence is a leading global data and analytics platform that uses proprietary data and methods to provide actionable insights on what's now and what's next in payments, commerce and the digital economy. Its team of data scientists include leading economists, econometricians, survey experts, financial analysts, and marketing scientists with deep experience in the application of data to the issues that define the future of the digital transformation of the global economy. This multi-lingual team has conducted original data collection and analysis in more than three dozen global markets for some of the world's leading publicly traded and privately held firms.
