Commercial Bank has won an award at the recent MasterCard Innovation Forum held in Kuala Lumpur for its Manchester United Titanium MasterCard, the bank said in a statement.
The bank said the Manchester United Titanium MasterCard was awarded for being the most innovative affinity product across the entire Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.
Commercial Bank is the exclusive financial services partner in Qatar of Manchester United. The partnership offers a range of Manchester United financial products, including a current or savings account with a debit card and two types of Manchester United credit cards.
All Manchester United cardholders enjoy a 10% discount at Manchester United stores and online, plus holders of the Manchester United Titanium MasterCard are automatically enrolled into Commercial Bank’s market leading reward points programme.
With Commercial Bank rewards, customers can book flights to any destination with any airline and with no blackout dates or can redeem their reward points for instant discounts at Qatar’s leading retailers: IKEA, 51 East, Sharaf DG, and Damas, among others.
Commercial Bank’s Manchester United Titanium MasterCard was awarded the most innovative affinity product after industry leaders recognised that in developing the product, Commercial Bank showed a strong understanding of consumer needs, which delivered a highly-impactful payment solution, ultimately driving strong business results through innovation.
Since the launch of the Manchester United partnership with Commercial Bank, customers were given the opportunity to access a world of benefits not available elsewhere in the
marketplace.
This included Commercial Bank’s hosting of a fan event with Manchester United legends in Doha to watch a live game, offering once-in-a-lifetime VIP trips to watch Manchester United play at Old Trafford with access to watch Manchester United first team players train, offering exclusively-signed Manchester United memorabilia, and places for their children to participate in a first-of-its-kind, free, Manchester United Soccer Camp held in Doha.
Dean Proctor, executive general manager (consumer and private banking), said, “We are extremely delighted to win such a prestigious award from MasterCard, which is in recognition of the innovative product that Commercial Bank brought to market with our Manchester United Titanium MasterCard. Our exclusive partnership with Manchester United was a first in the Qatar marketplace, allowing Commercial Bank to provide customers an opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the world’s most famous sporting brands.
“The Manchester United branded debit and credit card designs were also the first-of-its-kind in Qatar and with the benefits that accompany our products, it truly demonstrates our spirit of innovation and our desire to make everything possible for our customers. Our co-branded credit and debit cards with Manchester United have surpassed all our forecasts and more importantly has met with significant positive customer feedback. We thank MasterCard Worldwide for their support in helping to ensure the products we launched were considered to be the best in class.”
Pankaj Kathuria of MasterCard Worldwide said, “We are proud to be associated with the team involved in the launch of the Manchester United Titanium MasterCard and our congratulations go to Commercial Bank on winning this award for
innovation.”
Manchester United’s Group managing director, Richard Arnold, said: “Winning this award for the Manchester United Titanium MasterCard demonstrates exactly why the club is in partnership with Commercial Bank. Its ability to create an award winning product not only offers our fans an excellent financial product, but also brings them closer to the club they support. On behalf of Manchester United, I congratulate Commercial Bank on winning this prestigious award.”
Commercial Bank officials with the innovation award from MasterCard.
