Leading Lebanese bank SGBL signed today a new partnership agreement with global payments technology company MasterCard. The event took place at Biel, Le Panorama, in the presence of SGBL’s Executive Management and the Commercial and Marketing teams, along with MasterCard’s top representatives and media.
In a world where digital innovation has transformed the banking landscape, pushing banks to move to electronic and mobile payment, this 5-year collaboration will pave the way for the development/adoption of electronic payment in Lebanon, promoting the move towards a cashless economy.
Philippe Dubois, Deputy CEO of SGBL, said: “We are delighted to join forces today with MasterCard as this collaboration will enable us to bring the latest innovation to our customers (…). One of SGBL’s core values is Innovation. And as the leading relationship bank, we strive to constantly improve our customers’ experience by working together to adapt our solutions, practices and relationships to tomorrow’s requirements and to our clients’ needs. Today, this partnership comes as a testimony of our common goal to enhance customer experience in line with evolving market trends.”
Raghu Malhotra, President, Middle East and Africa at MasterCard, said: “Consumers across the region are seeking simpler and more innovative ways to pay. They also demand better rewards and benefits and the ability to make payments anywhere, at any time. MasterCard’s wide-ranging collaboration with SGBL will allow us to bring our global expertise and technologies to provide citizens in Lebanon with faster, safer and more convenient ways to pay – across devices and channels. The agreement represents a further opportunity for MasterCard to drive the use of electronic payments in Lebanon and, above all, accelerate the country’s move towards a cashless economy.”
The agreement will further extend beyond technology and products as MasterCard will provide a broad range of training, technology and marketing support to SGBL’s employees.
Georges Saghbini, SGBL’s Deputy General Manager & Group CFO, stated: “SGBL has always been at the forefront of technology, witnessing an important growth throughout the year. Our main priority is to offer the highest level of service and driving innovation to our customers the fastest possible, by constantly providing new, innovative, safe and smart payment solutions. In line with our tagline “Lets’ get things moving”, we are moving forward today with this partnership that brings our collaboration with MasterCard to a new level”.
Mr Saghbini further exclusively unveiled SGBL’s new Rewards Program, a one-of-a-kind innovative service that will soon be launched on the market, offering unbeatable advantages to SGBL cardholders.
Finally, two highlights of the evening were the MasterCard Surprise Box where all guests tried their luck and 25 lucky guests won SGBL gifts cards worth from $200 to $500, followed by a dazzling entertainment show by Michel Fadel and his band.