Access to Arabia installed the first SMS notification system ASP model for Arab Financial Services (Bahrain)

Arab Financial Services (AFS) the largest payment card processor in the Middle East and Access to Arabia (A2A) the region’s leading eBanking solutions provider have launched a unique system for SMS notification on credit card related activity. This system is available to the customers of more than 60 banks who are currently customers of AFS. These customers will be able to access a secure Web site to subscribe themselves to a wide variety of alerts on their credit card transaction.

“In an age where credit card fraud risks are mounting, AFS took a leading role in providing end users with up-to-date and timely transactional information any time and any place.” Said Mr. Adnan Maskati AGM -- Business Development, AFS. A2A implemented the system in an Application Service Provider (ASP) model, where each participating bank can offer its customers a unique Web page with customized features. This allows the different banks to keep their own identity and to differentiate themselves from others.

“Despite the maturity of SMS messaging services in our region, financial institutions are still skimming the surface when it comes to fully utilizing this promising medium for delivering time-critical financial information to their clients.” Said Mr. Nabil Halaseh, General Manager of Access to Arabia. The system will achieve the following for AFS customers: reduced credit card fraud risk, improved level of customer support and an additional revenue stream.