The Card and Payments Awards Middle East 2026

Category Finalists 2026

As we celebrate the 2nd Edition of The Card & Payments Awards Middle East,

here is the shortlist for 2026.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SHORTLIST BROCHURE

Best Achievement in Sustainability

100% Recycled and with visual notch credit and debit cards

Company name (will be published)

Al Baraka Islamic Bank

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

As part of the bank's ongoing sustainability goals, we proudly revamped our cards—utilizing 100% recycled materials for debit cards and 90% for credit cards. In collaboration with Visual Notech, these eco-friendly designs ensure accessibility for blind users, promoting a greener future for all.

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banking cards made from recycled material

Company name (will be published)

Kuwait Finance House

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Kuwait Finance House (KFH) was the first bank in Kuwait to introduce banking cards made from recycled material, initially launched in 2023 This initiative reflects KFH’s commitment to limiting the environmental impact of its business operations by replacing virgin plastic with recycled plastic in all banking cards.

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Carbon Footprint Calculator

Company name (will be published)

Mashreq

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Mashreq Carbon Footprint Calculator, powered by Clarity AI (ecolytiq) and seamlessly integrated into Mashreq Mobile, empowers users to track, monitor and offset the environmental impact from their card transactions. By combining carbon analytics with curated sustainable projects, it turns awareness into action, helping customers make informed choices and support verified.

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Best App User Experience (CX Initiative)

Aura Weyay Prepaid Card

Company name (will be published)

Alshaya International and Weyay Bank - Kuwait

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Launched in January 2025, the Aura Weyay Prepaid Card merges Weyay Bank’s digital platform, Alshaya’s Aura rewards, and Mastercard’s network to deliver seamless, youth-focused banking. With instant onboarding, sleek in-app management, and lifestyle rewards, it redefines prepaid UX—driving 16,000+ issuances and USD 4.5M spend within months of launch.

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Blue Rewards App

Company name (will be published)

Blue Rewards & Al - Futtaim Group

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Entry Description (will be published)

In 2025, Blue transformed its app experience through a complete UI and UX redesign and the launch of Blue AI, the region’s first AI lifestyle advisor, delivering a simpler, more personalised, and value-driven customer experience.

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Existing to Bank- In-App Card Sales

Company name (will be published)

Mashreq

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Integrated digital onboarding journey of Mashreq enables seamless cross-selling between Credit Cards and Mashreq Neo CASA accounts, delivering best-in-class Mobile App experience by unifying two traditionally separate journeys into a seamless, customer-centric process. Automated eligibility checks, real-time decisioning, and instant data transfers across systems reduce friction and increase product penetration.

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FAB Personal Finance Management – Smart CX for Payments

Company name (will be published)

First Abu Dhabi Bank

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Entry Description (will be published)

FAB’s Personal Finance Management (PFM) delivers digitally enhanced experience within the FAB Mobile App, enabling customers to track spending, set budgets, get contextual personalized alerts, and manage payments seamlessly. It removes friction, improves transparency, and empowers smarter financial decisions for everyday transactions

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Mobile application based authentication to combat SMS based fraud

Company name (will be published)

Citibank UAE

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

To combat rampant SMS-OTP based fraud, Citibank UAE pioneered in UAE’s retail banking space the introduction of app-based authentication where transactions on 3D secure websites, Citi’s internet banking transactions, and phone banking transactions are all authenticated via customer clicking on a push notification sent on the banking application.

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Best Application of AI or ML in Financial Services

End-to-End Voice-Enabled Agentic Payments

Company name (will be published)

Aldar Properties PJSC

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Aldar launched the region’s first end-to-end voice-enabled agentic payments capability. The first transaction saw a customer pay real estate service charges on the Live Aldar app using their voice and personal AI agent, shifting payments from “click to pay” to “it’s already handled”; making them faster, smarter, and almost invisible.

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Risk-Based Transaction Scoring for Frictionless In-App Journeys

Company name (will be published)

Mashreq

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Mashreq pioneered the region’s first fully automated, paperless credit card onboarding journey, issuing cards instantly without manual intervention. Powered by two Machine Learning engines for employer verification and name screening, the process achieves an impressive 85% Straight Through Processing rate, delivering speed, security, and a frictionless customer experience.

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Best Benefits or Loyalty Scheme

Aura NBK Co-brand Credit Card

Blue Rewards - The Lifestyle App

Dukhan Bank Cashback Programme

Emirates NBD Darna Visa Credit Card – First-of-its kind lifestyle loyalty cobranded card in Abu Dhabi

Emirates NBD U By Emaar Credit Card – Region’s first retail conglomerate cobranded card

Emirates Skywards

FAB Bonus Rewards

Mashreq Vantage: Empowering Customers with Instant, Digital Rewards

noon One Credit Card: Loyalty That Delivers Real Everyday Value

The American Express Middle East Membership Rewards Program - More Ways to Pay

Best Credit Card or Credit Facility

Amazon Emirates Islamic Mastercard World Credit Card

Best Credit Card Category – Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card

Blue FAB Credit Card

BSF Alfursan Visa Infinite Credit Card

BSF Lifestyle MasterCard Credit Card

Citi Ultima Credit Card

Darna-Emirates NBD Credit Card: When Everyday Spending Becomes a Lifestyle Story

DIB SHAMS Covered Cards – The Only Card You Need

Emirates Islamic Skywards Black Credit Card

Emirates NBD SHARE credit card – the ultimate lifestyle companion in UAE

Tabby Visa Card

Warba Bank Dual Chip World Elite Mastercard - Your Way For Cardless

Best Cross-Border Payments Initiative

Anjali, Dmello, Nium and Emirates NBD Expand Real-Time Cross-Border Payments Across the Middle East

Hadi, Maalouf, The Emirates NBD Wholesale Travel Solution

Shakthi, Sirirathne, The Success of Emirates NBD Credit Card Cross Border Payments

Tom, Stuart, Verto

Best Customer Service

Alfardan Exchange: Beacon of Customer Experience

Digital Servicing Capabilities on Mobile App

Emergency service on mobile application’s login page to stop it all

Warba Bank – Elevating Customer Experience Through Innovation and Direct Engagement

Best Early-Stage or Future Payments Initiative

Aani and Jaywan acceptance enablement on ecommerce.

FAB Rewards Active Credit Card: Wearables and Wellness Rewards

Mashreq Corporate Credit Card

QuickTopUps — Borderless Payment & Digital Commerce Platform

Best Industry Innovation

ALPHA Youth Proposition

Best Industry Innovation: Tap to add card+ PIN

Global First FAB Fitness Payment Ring & McLaren Wearables

Instant One-Click digital credit limit increase (CLI) for credit cards

State-of-the-art pioneering device binding technology to fortify customer security

Warba Bank Dual Chip Contactless World Elite Mastercard - Your Way For Cardless

Wellness Rewards: Turning Steps Rewards powered with STEPPI and Collinson

“sAxess: Biometric Blockchain Security by s.Technology and IDEMIA Secure Transactions

Best Marketing Campaign

Bon Appetit - 10 Days. 10 AED . 1 delicious experience

Building Network International's First Always-On SME Acquisition Engine

Citi Ultima. Fly on your terms

FAB McLaren Racing with Mastercard

Mashreq Cards Scratch & Win Campaign

Play It Like Pep: Whatever the Play, Pay with Emirates NBD Card

The Amazon Emirates Islamic Mastercard Credit Card

‘Spin the Wheel’ with FAB’s Bonus Rewards

Best Payment Facility

Jaywan Visa co-badged debit cards

Tabby Visa Card

Best POS Solution

Best In-person Payments Solution

Geidea Unified POS: The Middle East’s Leading All-in-One Point of Sale Solution

Wireless Integrated POS Solutions for Smart Mobility & Public Services

Best Pre-Paid Product or Programme

Aura NBK Co-brand Prepaid Card

Aura Weyay Co-branded Prepaid Card

Blue Mall Gift Card – Smart Prepaid Ecosystem

KFH Reward Prepaid Card

Revolutionizing Customer Engagement with Personalised Video Messaging and Seamless Backend Integration

Rize Youth Banking Solution for Helwan University Students Based on CaaS

UEFA Co-Branded card

Best Product Design

Aura Weyay Co-brand Prepaid Card

Company name (will be published)

Alshaya International and Weyay Bank

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

The Aura Weyay Co-brand Prepaid Card, launched in January 2025, combines Weyay Bank’s digital-first design ethos with Aura’s lifestyle identity and Mastercard’s innovation. Its bold, minimalist aesthetic and sleek digital interface create a seamless, empowering experience for Kuwait’s youth—merging style, technology, and purpose in every interaction.

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Blue FAB Credit Card & App Design System

Company name (will be published)

Blue Rewards, Al-Futtaim Group

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

The Blue FAB Credit Card merges refined aesthetics with digital synergy, combining premium materials and brand motifs in physical design with an intuitive, visually aligned app interface, creating a seamless, trust-driven user experience that reflects Al-Futtaim Group’s values.

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Citi Ultima Credit Card

Company name (will be published)

Citibank UAE

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Citi Ultima is an all-metal premium credit card for affluent UAE customers valuing luxury and refined craftsmanship. Its brushed graphite finish, minimalist front and precision cut create a distinctive aesthetic. This design elevates the payment experience reflecting Citi’s premium positioning and the lifestyle expectations.

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Exclusively for Top Private Banking Clients – Invitation Only Card

Company name (will be published)

Mashreq

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

The Mashreq io Credit Card is a premium, invitation-only offering designed for Mashreq’s most distinguished Private Banking clients. It combines luxury, exclusivity, and tailored privileges to match the refined lifestyle of UHNW individuals.

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FAB Royale

Company name (will be published)

First Abu Dhabi Bank

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

The gold-plated metal card that blends luxury with symbolic meaning. Inspired by the goldfish—long associated with abundance, transformation and joy—the card represents growth, evolution and aspiration. Its distinctive aesthetic, premium materials and storytelling approach elevate it beyond a payment instrument into an icon of exclusivity.

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Flash Cash

Company name (will be published)

Mashreq Bank

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Flash Cash, inspired by UAE’s cashless vision, offers instant cash with a permanent credit card limit via seamless, paperless onboarding. With attractive rates, it delivers real-time financial access, affordability, and flexibility—empowering customers with the speed they need, the cost they want, and the convenience they deserve.

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Harrods Visa Infinite Credit Card

Company name (will be published)

National Bank of Kuwait

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

The NBK Harrods Visa Infinite Credit Card combines iconic luxury design with seamless digital functionality. Developed in partnership with global retailer, Harrods, the card delivers a premium aesthetic experience supported by advanced digital banking features, appealing to high-net-worth customers who value exclusivity, elegance, and convenience.

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IDEMIA Secure Transactions x AAFAQ: Crafting Smart Metal Art World Elite Card

Company name (will be published)

IDEMIA Secure Transactions ft. AAFAQ

Logo (will be published)

IDEMIA AFAQ high res 1.pdf

Entry Description (will be published)

Designed by IDEMIA Secure Transactions; AAFAQ World Elite Smart Metal Art Reflective card combines refined metal craftsmanship with a minimalist, timeless aesthetic. The metal–PVC hybrid structure, tactile finishes, and reflective detailing elevate the premium card experience while reinforcing brand confidence, trust, and long-term relevance.

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Best Security or Anti-Fraud Development

Digital-powered war on Fraud via Anti-fraud suite of features

Company name (will be published)

Citibank UAE

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Citibank UAE has developed using best practices from across the Citi universe and in consultation with the Central Bank of UAE, a powerful suite of fraud combating digital features implemented across its mobile application and website to ensure customer security optimization and also achieving enhanced and seamless customer experience

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EFR integration & Moody’s Integration

Company name (will be published)

Mashreq

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Mashreq’s industry leading position in safeguarding its card clients against the risks of Card-Not-Present transaction frauds by introducing new forms of authentication via device binding, a risk-based framework to facilitate low-risk transactions as frictionless, as well as secure biometric authentication for high-risk transactions, while moving away from SMS OTPs.

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Emirates NBD Real-Time Intelligence-Driven Card Fraud Monitoring Unit

Company name (will be published)

EmiratesNBD Bank PJSC

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Emirates NBD excels in fraud control, balancing prevention with a seamless customer experience through innovative, automated, next-generation machine learning platforms for real-time behavioral analytics and proactive threat interdiction across all card channels. This approach has been recognized by card schemes (Visa and Mastercard), demonstrating confidence and security.

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FAB & DF Credit Card Fraud Controls – OTP & Tokenization for Secure Payments

Company name (will be published)

FAB

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

FAB’s revolutionized card-security controls by introducing in-app OTP authentication and advanced tokenization, replacing legacy SMS methods, and mitigating SIM-swap risks. This modernized framework aligns fully with CBUAE directives while delivering measurable reductions in fraud and elevating customer confidence in secure digital banking.

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FlyDubai & Chargebacks911: UDMS Eliminates Fraud, Reduces Chargebacks and Transforms Airline Payments

Company name (will be published)

Chargebacks911

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

FlyDubai adopted Chargebacks911’s UDMS to transform fraud and dispute operations, replacing manual systems with a unified platform that cut manual effort by 95 percent, reduced dispute cycles to 42 days, increased win rates to 59 percent and prevented one million dollars in significant fraud losses.

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i2c AI-Driven Fraud Risk Management Solution for Next-Gen Financial Security

Company name (will be published)

i2c

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

i2c’s AI-driven fraud risk management solution is embedded within its unified payments platform and applies real-time machine learning at transaction authorization to provide a cutting-edge defense against financial fraud, including card-not-present fraud, identity theft & account takeover, and digital payment abuse across active payment programs.

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Best Service to Business

American Express Middle East Corporate Payment Solutions

Company name (will be published)

American Express Middle East

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

American Express Middle East Corporate Payment Solutions enable organizations to manage spend with visibility, control, and efficiency. Our tools streamline T&E, procurement, and supplier payments. Designed for global enterprises and regional businesses alike, the Corporate Payment Solutions help reduce operational costs while helping to inform decision-making.

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Blue B2B Partner Performance Engine

Company name (will be published)

Blue Rewards, Al-Futtaim Group

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Blue’s Merchant’s Portal gives businesses seamless access to AI driven offer management, real-time analytics, and customer targeting tools that reduce acquisition costs, increase engagement, and drive measurable ROI—all within a unified loyalty ecosystem.

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Emirates NBD Business Card Fraud Monitoring & Spend Protection

Company name (will be published)

EmiratesNBD Bank P.J.S.C.

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Emirates NBD delivers 24x7 real-time fraud monitoring for card clients, combining advanced analytics, expert review, and proactive decline management to protect business spends, minimize disruption, and recover lost revenue while maintaining industry-leading authorization rates.

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Telr Split payments & Telr Incepta

Company name (will be published)

Telr

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Telr continues to redefine fintech innovation with two groundbreaking solutions: Telr Split Payments, which automates complex payouts for marketplaces with real-time accuracy and seamless reconciliation, and Telr Incepta, an all-in-one business platform offering over 50 integrated services that empower SMBs to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and scale effortlessly.

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Best Technology Integration

AECB Income , EFR integration , Moody’s Integration

Company name (will be published)

Mashreq

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Mashreq revolutionized digital onboarding through advanced technology integration-combining Emirates Facial Recognition for secure verification, Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB) income analytics for intelligent credit assessment, and Moody’s-powered automated business verification. This unified framework enhanced accuracy, reduced turnaround times, and set new benchmarks for seamless, secure, and data-driven digital banking experience.

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Emirates NBD Wholesale Travel Payment Solution

Company name (will be published)

Emirates NBD

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Emirates NBD Wholesale Travel Payment Solution is an enhanced Virtual Corporate Credit Card platform designed to enable travel companies (TMCs/DMCs/OTAs) to securely and efficiently make embedded global B2B supplier payments (hotels, airlines, digital marketing etc.), with superior commercial terms. We were the First Regional Bank to launch such a solution.

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Geidea: A Unified Omnichannel Payments Stack with Seamless POS-to-Cloud Integration

Company name (will be published)

Geidea

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Geidea delivers a fully integrated omnichannel technology stack enabling POS, SoftPOS, online payments, tokenization and alternative payment methods through one backend. With sub-2-second transactions, unified merchant portal, APIs/SDKs and real-time reporting, Geidea eliminates complexity, increases conversion and unlocks scalable growth for 500,000+ Middle Eastern merchants.

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Tap to add card+ PIN

Company name (will be published)

National Bank of Kuwait

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

NBK became the first bank in the GCC and Middle East to launch Tap to Add Card + PIN, seamlessly integrating NFC hardware recognition, secure PIN authentication, and Apple Pay tokenization to enable customers to add their card to Apple Pay instantly through a single, intuitive tap-and-confirm experience.

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Changing Lives in the Community

Basmah Ramadan Campaign: Bringing a Smile to the Orphans.

Company name (will be published)

Warba Bank - Kuwait

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Warba Bank’s Basmah Ramadan Campaign donated 10% of customers’ grocery spending to gift Eid toys to orphans in Kuwait. In partnership with Kuwait Food Bank and Dabdoob, the initiative transformed everyday spending into meaningful charity, supporting vulnerable children and strengthened the bank’s social responsibility during Ramadan.

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Tahawesha: Empowering Rural Women Through Digital Financial Inclusion

Company name (will be published)

eNovate

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Tahwisha is a tailored digital payment service built based on village savings and loan associations model, designed for female breadwinners in rural Egyptian communities, helping them improve their financial well-being and supporting them in starting and growing small businesses to secure a stable and sustainable source of income.

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Financial Inclusion Award

Tabby Visa Card

Company name (will be published)

Tabby

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

A reimagined daily spending card made to flex. With no issuing or annual fees, shop anywhere Visa is accepted, get up to 40 days to pay, and split purchases into up to 8 monthly payments with no interest or hidden fees—an accessible and inclusive alternative to traditional credit cards.

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Tahawesha: Empowering Rural Women Through Digital Financial Inclusion

Company name (will be published)

eNovate

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

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Verto

Company name (will be published)

Verto

Logo (will be published)

Entry Description (will be published)

Verto is a leading cross-border payments platform enabling UAE businesses to trade seamlessly with global markets - particularly the fast-growing and underserved UAE-Africa corridor. Through a unified tech platform, Verto allows businesses to convert, hold, receive, and send payments across 49+ currencies, eliminating the friction historically associated with emerging-market trade.

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Click to view the Category Finalist Brochure 2026

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