The world's most innovative financial technology providers are heading to MEFTECH 2017 with new technology and guidance for leaders of MENA banks on how to adapt to meet the needs of their modern digital customers. MEFTECH is the region's premier financial technology conference and exhibition taking place in Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on March 13-14. Among the dozens of companies heading to the UAE capital for the event are Dosrum, Compass Plus and SunTec, who will each showcase innovative technology that harnesses the power of social media and personalized customer experience solutions - in line with the region's growing online presence. With the latest global statistics on digital and social trends illustrating that the fastest growth in use and ecommerce is in the MENA region, the hotly anticipated digital solutions are expected to be in high demand from the MEFTECH audience, which will be made up of the most influential financial executives in the Middle East. With latest research showing Middle Eastern consumers increasingly purchasing through mobile devices, Dorsum's Botboarding platform, a BaaS (Bot-as-a-Service) smartphone solution, has made it simpler for financial institutions to converse with current and prospective clients in a fast and comfortable way. The natural-language communication tool is built upon Facebook Messenger, which opened up its platform for developers in April 2016. It uses traditional customer data gathering and user profiling technology to help banks differentiate their offerings from competitors, while also opening up new personalized opportunities to acquire customers via direct searches or Facebook ads. Imre Rokob, Business Development Director of Dorsum Co. Ltd, said: "We think that mobile customer experience is the key to successfully executing bank's growth strategies and open new avenues to increase customer acquisitions, from the initial customer interaction through to the care of existing customers." Another influential provider coming to MEFTECH is Compass Plus, the electronic payment software provider. It helps build and manage all-scale electronic payment systems that generate new revenues and improve profits for its customers. Alexey Osipov, EVP and MEA Managing Director at Compass Plus, said: "TranzAxis will equip payment processors, financial institutions and payment service providers with the tools to create market relevant products and services. "All Compass Plus products are scalable and flexible to meet the requirements of FIs – they can also be used for multiple institutions and are multi-currency. The technology offered by Compass Plus assists FIs by maintaining a centralized operation while providing localized products and services for the region." SunTec has a proven track record of helping one of the leading banks in UAE achieve 7% rise in average customer revenue. Its Xelerate solution helps banks transform their digital offerings by placing customers at the focal point; capturing the customers' needs and providing flexible and personalized solutions in real-time while bearing in mind the market requirements. A spokesperson for SunTec said: "There is a huge demand for smart technology driven banking products in the region with financial institutions facing multiple challenges due to the growing burden of international regulations." Dozens of innovative financial technology solutions will be displayed at MEFTECH. Board level guests from some of the leading banks in the region, including FGB, ADIB, Qatar Islamic Bank and Bahrain Islamic Bank, have already confirmed their attendance. — SG
