Visa joins hands with NBAD and Card Tech
Dubai |By Sharna Nunan | 05-10-2001
Gulf News Online

Visa International has rolled out its first-in-the-Gulf Visa smart card programme combining full issuer and acquirer functionalities, along with National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) and Card Tech Ltd (CTL).

"The National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Visa International and Card Tech Ltd have joined hands to launch the first complete smart debit/credit programme, with full issuer and acquirer functionalities, in the Arabian Peninsula, Visa announced yesterday.

By incorporating 'chip' technology into its banking strategy, NBAD is giving its cardholders and retail merchant base the highest level of payment card security available, said Iain Jamieson, regional head for new technologies at Visa.

"Not only will the Visa smart card give NBAD customers the ability to use the latest in payment card technology and take advantage of the extra security features contained on the chip, it will also allow cardholders to become familiar with the 'vehicle' that will undoubtedly carry all banking applications of the future."