Excellence in leadership in the Middle East 2020: Emirates NBD

Emirates NBD has excelled in all elements of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic, from steps taken to protect the health of its employees to loan deferrals for its customers; but what really stands out is the bank’s commitment to its community. 

With a lockdown in place and schools closed, the United Arab Emirates’ ministry of education launched online and distanced-learning initiatives for all its schools. 

Emirates NBD demonstrated its commitment to education by donating Dh4 million ($1.09 million), along with group entity Emirates Islamic, to help provide laptops to UAE students.

The bank has also reached out to more disadvantaged members of its community and made a Dh4 million donation to a social solidarity fund against Covid-19 run by the Islamic affairs and charitable activities department in Dubai. 

Conscious of the impact of isolation on people during lockdown, Emirates has also supported its employees and the broader community. It is offering employees and their dependants access to a hotline service to qualified clinical counsellors to discuss mental wellbeing.