Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), a leading financial institution, today brings its customers Apple Pay, a safer, more secure and private way to pay that helps customers avoid handing their payment card to someone else, touching physical buttons or exchanging cash — and uses the power of iPhone to protect every transaction.

Customers simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a payment terminal to make a contactless payment. Every Apple Pay purchase is secure because it is authenticated with Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode, as well as a one-time unique dynamic security code. Apple Pay is accepted in grocery stores, pharmacies, taxis, restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, and many more places.

Philip King, ADIB’s Global Head of Retail Banking, commented: “ADIB is constantly exploring ways to enhance the experience of its customers, be it through further building our digital offering or introducing safe and convenient payment methods. The introduction of Apple Pay to ADIB card holders comes at a key time when we are seeing greater demand for cashless transactions, due to new norms dictated by COVID-19 and structured around social distancing guidelines.” He added: “This new feature, in addition to our existing digital banking services, will offer ADIB card holders with a more holistic approach towards paying for their purchases, giving them greater choice and an added layer of security and convenience.”

ADIB’s digital banking offer, which form the basis of the bank’s growth strategy, has been greatly accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, witnessing a substantial growth with 75% of ADIB customers using digital channels and 97% of fund transfer happening digitally. More than 2 million mobile transactions are now initiated via the ADIB mobile banking app every month. The bank recently introduced a digital service which enables customers to schedule branch visits ahead of time, while they may also now update their key personal information online.

Customers can also use Apple Pay on iPhone, iPad, and Mac to make faster and more convenient purchases in apps or on the web in Safari without having to create accounts or repeatedly type in shipping and billing information. Apple Pay makes it easier to pay for food and grocery deliveries, online shopping, transportation, and parking, among other things.

Apple Pay can also be used to make payments in apps on Apple Watch. Security and privacy are at the core of Apple Pay. When customers use a covered card or a debit card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device, nor on Apple servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted, and securely stored in the Secure Element, an industry-standard, certified chip designed to store the payment information safely on the device. Apple Pay is easy to set up. On iPhone, simply open the Wallet app, tap +, and follow the steps to add ADIB’s covered cards or debit cards. Once a customer adds a card to iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac, they can start using Apple Pay on that device right away. Customers will continue to receive all of the rewards and benefits offered by ADIB cards.