^{Money Guide for Expatriates in the UAE} Take control of your financial journey digitally

Why self-service banking matters?

Living abroad comes with unique financial responsibilities: sending remittances, managing multiple currencies, and staying on top of bills and savings. Traditional banking methods often involve delays and paperwork. Self-service banking eliminates many of these hurdles by offering:

1. 24/7 access to essential services
2. Multilingual interfaces for easier navigation
3. Faster processing of routine requests
4. Reduced dependency on in-person visits

What are self-service requests?

Self-service requests are banking actions you can complete independently through mobile apps or online platforms. These include, but not limited to:

1. Account services
   • Open or close accounts
   • Request a cheque book
   • Update contact details
   • Find your unique customer ID
   • Share and download IBAN
   • View account transactions
   • Request for paper statements
2. Loan management
   • Request deferments
   • Obtain clearance letters
3. Funds transfers
   • Send money locally or internationally
   • Bill payments
4. Fixed deposits
   • Change maturity instructions
   • Redeem fixed deposit
5. Card services
   • Activate a card
   • Block a card
   • Replace a card
   • Set or reset PIN
   • Change billing cycle
   • Increase or decrease card limit
   • View card transactions
   • Convert to installment plans
   • Request supplementary cards
   • Credit shield activation
   • Request for credit balance refund
   • Foreclose payment plan
   • Change supplementary card limit

Benefits of self-service banking:

1. Convenience
   No need to visit a branch or wait in line. Services are available anytime, anywhere.
2. Speed
   Requests like cheque book issuance, IBAN generation, card activation, card blocking or statement downloads are processed instantly.
3. Transparency
   Real-time status updates, transaction histories, and fee breakdowns.
4. Security
   Biometric logins and encrypted transactions protect user data.
5. Cost savings
   Digital remittance services often offer better exchange rates and lower fees than traditional methods.

What are the most popular self-service requests?

1. Checking account balances and transaction history
   This remains the most frequently used feature, as users want quick access to their financial status.
2. Transferring funds between accounts or to other users
   Peer-to-peer transfers and internal account movements are highly valued for their speed and ease.
3. Managing debit and credit cards
   Includes activating cards, setting spending limits, blocking or unblocking of cards and reporting lost or stolen cards.
4. Paying bills and setting up recurring payments
   Consumers appreciate the ability to automate utility, telecom and credit card payments directly from the app.
5. Mobile wallet integration and usage
   Especially popular among younger and tech-savvy users, mobile wallets are used for contactless payments and digital storage of card information.
6. Applying for new products
   While more complex, some banks offer streamlined self-service applications (e.g., loans, credit cards) for financial products.
7. ATM and branch locator tools
   Helps users find nearby services without calling or visiting a website.
8. Setting alerts and notifications
   Customers often customise alerts for low balances, large transactions or bill due dates.

Tips for using self-service banking:

1. Keep your app updated for the latest features and security patches.
2. Use biometric login for faster and safer access.
3. Set alerts for transactions and low balances.
4. Save digital copies of important documents like statements.