A Dubai South banking partnership has been established as Dubai South, the largest urban master development focused on aviation, logistics, and real estate, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye region, to support financial growth of small and medium enterprises within the development and facilitate access to banking services.
The agreement was signed by Saif Al-Ali, Director of Licensing and Free Zone Management at Dubai Aviation City Corporation, and Hamad Mohamed Zayed, Group Head of Business Banking at Emirates NBD. Under the partnership, Emirates NBD will support companies through streamlined processes for opening corporate bank accounts and tailored banking solutions designed to meet business needs.
Dubai South banking partnership Details
The collaboration aims to enhance ease of doing business within Dubai South by enabling faster access to essential financial services. Companies operating in the development will benefit from simplified account opening procedures and customized banking products aligned with their operational requirements.
Nabil Al Kindi, Group CEO of Dubai South, said the partnership reflects the development’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and SMEs. “By facilitating seamless access to essential banking services, we are enabling our business community to focus on growth and expansion,” Al Kindi stated. The collaboration supports Dubai’s broader vision to strengthen its position as a global business hub.
Emirates NBD’s Role in Regional Banking
Hamad Mohamed Zayed, Group Head of Business Banking at Emirates NBD, said the bank remains committed to delivering banking services that complement businesses operating in Dubai South. “This partnership directly contributes to Dubai’s vision to double its economy by 2033 and solidify its position as one of the top three economic cities globally,” Zayed stated.
Emirates NBD operates across 13 countries with over 9.8 million active customers. As of December 31, 2025, the bank reported total assets of AED 1.164 trillion, equivalent to approximately USD 317 billion. The group maintains 787 branches and 4,526 ATMs and self-service machines across its network.
Dubai South’s Development Focus
Dubai South is a master-planned city built around an integrated aviation and logistics economy. The development is anchored by Al Maktoum International Airport and supported by multi-modal connectivity across air, land, and sea routes. The project creates an environment for living, working, and conducting business operations.
Banking Innovation and Digital Services
Emirates NBD operates as a key participant in the global digital banking sector, with 97 percent of all financial transactions and requests conducted outside of its physical branches. The bank operates Liv, a lifestyle digital banking platform, which has attracted close to half a million users and continues to expand its customer base across the region.
The partnership between Dubai South and Emirates NBD reflects broader trends in the region toward financial services integration within major business developments. By combining streamlined banking access with the development’s infrastructure, the collaboration addresses operational needs of companies establishing operations in the aviation and logistics sectors.
