Al Hilal Bank, a 100 percent government-owned Islamic bank, is using state-of-the-art digital pens developed in the UK to revolutionise its document-based field and office operations, making it the first bank in the ME region to use this technology.

Other technologies used by the bank include thumb verification, instant card issuance and digital certification to ensure the highest level of security in banking transactions and enhanced customer satisfaction.

Launched in June 2008, Al-Hilal Bank provides its customers with accessible Shariah-compliant banking solutions.    

The digital pen is currently being used by its direct sales team as well as office staff involved in credit finance, finance operations, and sales coordination, a statement from the bank said.

The device includes a camera and a GPS that digitalise and automatically import the written documents to the bank’s systems. Al Hilal personnel write on a specially-printed copy of a particular document with the digital pen, which automatically records the handwriting in its memory.

The recorded ink is then downloaded and matched with the image of the original document. It also creates a new, exact copy of the handwritten document in PDF format, just as if it had been scanned or photocopied. The digital copy can then be easily saved, sent, archived, copied, deleted or retrieved depending on the bank’s requirements, it said.

The digital pen technology facilitates the movement of captured customer data along with all supporting documents and photos through secured lines to any Al Hilal branch.

The bank can then process the request and swiftly reply back. By using the integrated digital system, the bank instantly digitises its workflows while cutting document-related costs. The system was provided by Abu Dhabi–based BSTechnologies, the statement said.

“Our digital pen–based system reflects our commitment to using technology to increase services and convenience for our customers. Al Hilal Bank intends to adopt more digital systems offered by industry leaders such as BSTechnologies in line with our efforts to tap modern tools for the convenience of our mutual customers,” said Mohamed Zaqout, head of personal banking, Al Hilal Bank.

“It is a cutting-edge technology that reduces client waiting time, improves the management of business workflow queues, and drives down the costs involved in forms processing. The technology is so simple and natural so it can be instantly and effortlessly used by young and old alike,” said Abdullah Al Kaabi, CEO, BSTechnologies.

BSTechnologies is a part of the Bin Salem Holding Group and is a partner of Abu Dhabi–based Smart Technologies, the exclusive distributor of the digital pens used by Al Hilal Bank in the region.

It provides services to various sectors including banking, health care, government, telecom, as well as other enterprises that require instant and cost effective digitisation of their existing paper workflows, the statement said.

Al Hilal Bank is fully owned by the Abu Dhabi Investment Council, the investment arm of the Government of Abu Dhabi. It currently has 21 local branches and 112 ATMs across the UAE as well as three overseas branches in Kazakhstan, it said. – TradeArabia News Service