Al Hilal Bank has launched its Money Station branch in Dubai, introducing the Middle East’s first-ever drive-thru teller system that allows customers to carry out their transactions within the comfort of their own cars.
“Our focus has been from day one on innovation in our products and services,” said Mohamed J. Berro, group chief executive officer of the Islamic bank. “This is a full comprehensive banking solution through drive-thru.”
Similar to the concept of a gas station, the money station allows its customers to attain their needed services without having to step foot out of their comfort zones.
“There are tellers outside that serve these customers that come through the money station,” he said. “They do their complete banking transactions while in the car. There is an actual customer service that finalizes their requirements.”
Customers park beside one of three paralleled money stations, all of which are designed to give the familiar feel of filling up petrol. Once parked, a teller appears on a small screen, ready to attend to the required service. All documents that need to be handed to the teller are placed in a tube, and then sent up a slot through the click of a button. The documents are sent back to the customer through the same slot.
Berro added: “Dubai is a city that has always been at the forefront of innovation, and I think this is another addition that fits very well within the DNA of Dubai.”
Although tube-banking has been used in the United States, this is the first time it has been implemented in this region, with the company pointing to increased competition within the banking sector as one of the key reasons for the launch.
“Competition has been very healthy within the UAE. Competition drives … better service, drives better products, better prices from the consumer or to the banking population,” he said. “This is why the banking sector in the UAE is recognized as a very advanced banking sector globally.”
“This [technology] is the first in the Middle East and we are proud for that,” he said. “This is yet another innovative action that the bank has done to continue to position [itself] as a modern, innovative, Islamic Bank.”