Mastercard & Bankiom unite to issue virtual prepaid cards across GCC region

Mastercard partners with Bankiom
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By Shilpa Annie Joseph, Official Reporter
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Mastercard, a global technology company, is partnering with Bankiom, a UAE-based lifestyle banking app, in order to introduce digital payment cards across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman.

This partnership marks a significant stride in Mastercard’s ongoing commitment to advancing digitalization in the payments landscape throughout the region.

Amnah Ajmal_Etisalat by e& Egypt_Mastercard partnership
Amnah Ajmal
Executive VP,
Market Development EEMEA,
Mastercard

“As we move into a more digital world, building productive synergies with multi-market, agile fintech partners such as Bankiom is crucial. The GCC alone has one of the world’s highest rates of internet penetration at 98 percent of the region’s population. Our partnership will help us leverage our innovative payment solutions to drive digital and financial inclusion across the region.”

Mr. Danny Abla, Founder of Bankiom, said that, “Bankiom is a building a digital bank for that moment in your life where you want to live life to the max, and we’re calling it PuraVida. Think of it as a subscription to the ‘good life’.”

“Our mission is to spread happiness through financial services, so partnering with Mastercard, especially with their Priceless brand, was a no-brainer for us. We both share the same mission and we both share the same passion to deliver amazing, memorable life experiences for our customers,” Mr. Abla further added.

Launched in 2022, Bankiom has more than 30,000 verified users and is growing at 20 percent per week, with a target to hit 1 million within three years. Bankiom, through PuraVida and in collaboration with Mastercard, is tapping into the evolving needs of a vibrant, tech-savvy generation and empowering them to live life to the fullest, as per the statement.

Related: Qatar Financial Centre rolls out Ask QFC to bolster customer engagement

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