Your Emirates ID can double up as ATM card

Aref Al Ramli, head, Electronic Business and Innovation, Mashreq Bank, demostrates the use of Emirates ID to withdraw cash while Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Mashreq CEO (second from right), and Saeed Abdullah Al Ghafli, Director-General, Emirates ID Authority (extreme right), look on.

Mashreq Bank customers can now open accounts, pay their bills, update their personal information and withdraw and deposit cash by just showing their Emirates Identity card.

Mashreq has become the first UAE bank to fully integrate its ATM systems with the Emirates Identity Authority.

Now, when using a Mashreq ATM, the customer's existing bank cards will appear on the ATM screen, allowing them to choose from a number of options including cash withdrawal, local and international transfers and cheque book and statement requests.

Additionally, the new feature will allow customers to instantly update their passport and visa details to the bank without having to visit a branch. According to Mashreq, the move will also eliminate 70 per cent of current data entry processes when joining the bank, as an Emirates ID reader will instantly record personal information into the bank's electronic forms, ensuring the accuracy of data and preventing unnecessary rejections during new account openings.

Mashreq CEO Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair said the move is in line with the UAE's shift towards nationwide "smart" infrastructure, spearheaded by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai."It started with Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid, when he announced we wants to have a smart government," he said.

"UAE ID took advantage of this ... they had a vision to incorporate all other services."

"When I got my ID, I never thought an ID would replace an ATM," he added.

"I never thought my ID will allow me to withdraw money, to deposit money, to update my personal information, to (pay) any government entity, or Etisalat."

Dr Saeed Abdullah Al Ghafli, Director-General of the Emirates ID Authority, said he foresees all UAE banks adopting the Emirates ID once the systems are in place.

"The Central Bank needs to up-date all the machines and the net-work. But this will be possible," he said.

Dr Al Ghafli noted that in the future, Emirates ID cards will also be used for a variety of other important day-to-day tasks, which was a stated objective of the UAE's 2014-2016 strategic plan.

"We think the Emirates ID cards have big potential," he said. "There are so many cards. Health cards, driver's licences ... in future, an Emirates ID will suffice. At air-port e-gates - you will be able to use an Emirates ID at all the air-ports in the UAE.

/KT