Warba Bank Wins 'Life Changing' Award

In a new regional achievement that reinforces its prestigious position in the Islamic banking sector and corporate social responsibility, NBK announced its win of the “Changing Lives in the Community Award” from the Card and Payments Awards Middle East, for its innovative “Basma” campaign launched in collaboration with “Dabdoub,” the premium gaming platform.

Mouhannad Al-Burhami, Director of Product Development and Customer Segments, accepted the award on behalf of the bank at the regional awards ceremony in Dubai, attended by a select group of senior leaders from the banking, technology, and financial sectors in the region.

Commenting on the exceptional recognition upon receiving the award, Al-Burhami stated, “Standing on the podium and receiving this regional award is a great source of pride and honor for the entire NBK family. This prestigious regional accolade is a living testament to the correctness of our strategic direction and a testament to our delivery of empowering developmental experiences that go beyond traditional banking to touch on deeper human and societal issues.”

Al-Burhami added, “Our goal at the bank has always been to contribute to empowering people and society and creating unique value. The campaign embodied our core values of innovation, collaboration, and social responsibility. We aimed to demonstrate how our everyday bank cards can transform into tools that make a real difference in others’ lives and bring smiles to the faces of our orphaned children on their happy Eid days.”

The “Basma” campaign achieved remarkable success and widespread community engagement during the holy month of Ramadan. Its concept encouraged NBK customers holding VISA cards (including Visa Signature, Visa Platinum, and prepaid cards) to use their cards for purchases at cooperative and consumer stores during the blessed month, in partnership with the orphanage under the Ministry of Social Affairs.

The bank donated 10% of the total value of customers’ purchases to buy Eid al-Fitr gifts for orphaned children via the “Dabdoub” platform, with no additional cost or deductions for the customer. The bank covered all costs entirely, allowing customers to contribute to charity automatically and seamlessly during their daily shopping.

In this context, Al-Burhami clarified, “During Ramadan, many initiatives focus on food baskets and iftar meals. However, at NBK, we wanted to complete the message of giving with a different human dimension that evokes joy and happy memories for orphaned children on the morning of Eid. True giving is not limited to meeting basic needs; it extends to making this precious group feel that they are an integral part of society.”

This victory underscores NBK’s commitment to its vision of opening opportunities through unique values and its mission to provide empowering experiences and sustainable growth. It also highlights the bank’s role in integrating financial technology and bank cards with community programs, aligning with Kuwait Vision 2035 and the bank’s strategy for sustainable growth and social responsibility.

The “Changing Lives in the Community Award” highlights initiatives that use payment and card technologies to support communities and charitable activities. The list of winners globally and regionally included institutions that successfully innovated fundraising methods and supported humanitarian causes through smart payment solutions.

Al-Burhami stated, “We consider this award an additional incentive for us to continue developing banking products and services that integrate digital innovation with positive social impact, reaffirming our enduring commitment to being the best financial and community partner for our customers.”

The Cards and Payments Awards are among the most prominent specialized recognition events in the payments and financial services sector in the region. They are evaluated by an independent jury panel comprising a select group of experts, and aim to honor outstanding initiatives, innovations, and successful experiences in the fields of financial technology, credit cards, corporate social responsibility, and innovative solutions that contribute to the development of the payments industry and serve society.