Zand, an AI-powered digital bank in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Huru, a Central Bank of the UAE-regulated entity holding Stored Value Facilities, and Retail Payment Services and Card Schemes licenses, have partnered to enable easier financial access for the unbanked and underbanked in the UAE.
This partnership is designed to enable eligible customers to open a zero-balance account and virtual IBAN1 on the Huru app, using just their Emirates ID2. With this account, users can seamlessly receive their salaries and funds via the UAE Funds Transfer System. Under Zand’s BIN sponsorship arrangement, Huru will provide users with Visa ATM cards3 that offer one free ATM withdrawal per month, allowing them to save more, and spend less on fees and charges. Users can also access comprehensive digital financial services, including local and international money transfers, bill payments, savings tracking, and more, from the Huru app. This partnership reinforces Zand’s commitment to Fintechs like Huru, that drive financial inclusion and support financial independence and advancement for an underserved community.
Zand CEO Michael Chan said: “Zand is committed to driving innovation in the region, and empowering inclusive finance to contribute to the digital economy. We are pleased to partner with Huru through our card and payments infrastructure, including our IBANs and BIN sponsorship, to help deliver solutions that are both innovative and inclusive.” Huru CEO Abhimanyu Girotra said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Zand, as we continue our mission to expand financial access for the unbanked and underbanked. With Zand, we are able to provide IBANs with no minimum balance requirement to this integral community in the UAE, along with Visa ATM cards, and a host of other smart financial features. This collaboration plays a major part in helping us shape financial services to be more equitable and accessible for all.”
The partnership reflects both parties’ commitment to driving innovation and advancing financial inclusion in the UAE, in alignment with the Central Bank of the UAE’s Financial Infrastructure Transformation program.
