The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) has become the exclusive banking partner of Real Madrid in the UAE. Real Madrid is the worlds’s most valuable football club in terms of revenue and holds the most record titles in the world, including FIFA team of the century and winner of the 2014 UAEFA champions league.
NBAD is the only bank outside Spain to issue co-branded Real Madrid credit and debit cards, making it an exclusive and unique offering in the UAE. NBAD-Real Madrid cards will offer customers all the privileges attached with NBAD’s premium cards; including access to airport lounges across the GCC, global concierge services, and premium NBAD Stars reward points redemmable for many airlines and other benefits.
In addition, NBAD-Real Madrid cardholders will also have the opportunity to win trips to see matches, attend training session and meet players in Madrid or Abu Dhabi. Customers will receive special Real Madrid welcome gifts upon opening an account and get automatic membership to the international “Madridista” fan club, where they will receive special newsletters from the club and enjoy special discount offers from other Real Madrid partners.
“We picked this partnership very carefully,” says Alex Thursby, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NBAD. “We share much in common with Real Madrid. Both NBAD and Real Madrid are premier brands, heritage is the foundation for both organisations and, both NBAD and Real Madrid have a history of commitment to excellence. As such we are confident our partnership will support NBAD’s continued commitment to deliver the best products in the market.”
NBAD is working in full partnership with Real Madrid to develop further co-branded products , create joint merchandise and collaborate on future programmes and events. These will be announced shortly.
“Partnering with Real Madrid is a tremendous honour for NBAD. We believe this will further strengthen both our position as a world class institution as well as build on our commitment towards customer’s preferences and lifestyle needs,” said Abdulla Bin Khalaf Al Otaiba, Senior Managing Director of Retail & Commercial – Gulf at NBAD.
“The NBAD-Real Madrid co-branded products will offer features, privileges and rewards like no other in the market, genuinely delivering utility and value to customers. We are confident the winning spirit and proven track record of both our brands will create a strong platform from which we can continue to grow and achieve our ambitious goal to be the World’s best Arab bank.”
Founded in 1968 by the royal decree of the Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, then the ruler of Abu Dhabi, NBAD is the UAE’s largest bank by market value and has been ranked one of the World’s 50 Safest Banks by Global Finance since 2009. The Global Finance magazine also named NBAD the Safest Bank in the Emerging Markets in 2013.
NBAD is the first UAE bank to surpass AED1 billion in annual net profits, a landmark accomplished in 2004; and also the first bank to surpass US$1 billion net profits, which was recorded in 2011. It is the UAE’s most profitable bank, and has the widest international network, stretching to 18 countries, across 5 continents from the Far East to Americas.
Real was founded in 1902 as Madrid Football Club. In 1920, Spain’s King Alfonso XIII bestowed Real on the club, which means royal in Spanish. Real Madrid is the world's richest football club in terms of revenue, and the world's most valuable sports team.
Domestically, Real Madrid has won a record 32 La Liga titles, 19 Copas del Rey, 9 Supercopas de España, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la Liga. Internationally it has won a record 10 European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles and a joint record three Intercontinental Cups, as well as two UEFA Cups, and two UEFA Super Cups.
