Dubai eGovernment to offer ePay to Union National Bank clients

Union National Bank (UNB), one of the leading domestic banks in the UAE, has announced a tie up with Dubai eGovernment to offer the direct debit payment facility to account holders of the bank who can now pay for various Dubai Government services and private sector services in real time as their accounts are directly debited with immediate updation in records.

The direct debit service is part of Dubai eGovernment’s ePay initiative and is based on a proven and secure payments platform. It facilitates direct debit payments for businesses and individuals from their accounts, through self-initiated, bank-authenticated online banking channels, using the standard Internet banking infrastructure of banks. UNB account holders can now initiate payments online through the service provider website and the final authentication will be carried out by the bank online.

In 2006, the Dubai eGovernment Payment Gateway (ePay) generated about AED 55 mln in ePayment transactions, while the first half of 2007 (January to June) has already generated AED 39 mln, showing the increasing popularity of ePay.

Union National Bank – which has over 250,000 customers – is the second bank after Commercial Bank of Dubai to offer the direct debit facility to its customers. Dubai eGovernment is currently finalizing procedures to introduce the service for other major banks in the UAE.

Dubai eGovernment’s payment gateway service is being used by government departments such as Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA), Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Department of Civil Aviation, Land Department, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, eTQM College, Tejari, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, Index Holding, Arabian View and Al Bayan Subscription.