The National Bank of Egypt (NBE) has been granted utility model patent No. 30868 by the Egyptian Intellectual Property Authority for its innovative "Mobile Banking Unit" project, becoming the first Egyptian bank to obtain a utility patent in this field, in a new step that reflects its commitment to innovation and to serving its customers.

The patent was presented at a special ceremony at NBE's headquarters, attended by NBE CEO Mohamed El-Etreby, Dr. Hisham Azmy, Chairman of the Egyptian Intellectual Property Authority, and the relevant teams from both sides. NBE was also awarded the authority's Shield of Excellence.

El-Etreby said the achievement reflects the bank's vision of investing in intellectual property as strategic assets no less important than physical ones, making it the first brand to obtain such a patent since the launch of the Egyptian intellectual property strategy. He added that the bank continues to develop unconventional solutions that reinforce its leadership and strengthen its role in sustainable economic development.

El-Etreby stressed that NBE's strategy is aligned with Egypt Vision 2030 to achieve economic empowerment for citizens and widen the base of people benefiting from banking and financial services. He noted that the mobile banking units are in line with the Central Bank of Egypt's new direction on setting up points of presence outside traditional branches, to encourage geographic expansion and deliver services across all of Egypt's governorates.

This reflects the bank's leadership in launching this service model in the Egyptian banking sector. It implements the bank's strategy of diversifying its branch formats to meet the needs of its various customer segments and reach places where customers gather, in pursuit of financial inclusion through both traditional and electronic banking services. It also builds on the bank's plans to expand and diversify its branch models in support of digital transformation and financial inclusion by reaching all customer segments. The model has also been fitted with innovative mechanical equipment to serve Egyptians with disabilities.

For his part, Dr. Hisham Azmy praised NBE's pioneering role across banking and its standing as a model for initiatives that have a major impact on the lives of Egyptian citizens. This, he said, is reflected in the bank's commitment to supporting intellectual property initiatives and its belief in their important investment role in Egypt's economy. He urged all brands in Egypt to make use of what the Egyptian Intellectual Property Authority offers, noting that it plays a major role in strengthening Egyptian industry and encouraging local products in various fields.

NBE launched its mobile banking units in 2021 in the New Administrative Capital to serve people working there until the banking sector's first branch opened, which NBE opened in the Government District in 2022. The units provide integrated banking services to citizens in various areas, including opening accounts, carrying out financial transactions, offering banking advice and promoting financial awareness, especially in remote areas that may be hard to reach through traditional branches.

The bank has also launched new mobile branches under the name "Midi Bus", a new model of mobile banking unit that tours governorates and remote villages to offer the same level and quality of service as its main branches, strengthening its ability to reach new customer segments and supporting financial inclusion and digital transformation.