areeba and Zand Bank Partner to Boost Fintech Card Programs in UAE

23 May 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates - areeba, a leading payment infrastructure provider, has collaborated with Zand Bank, an AI-powered bank licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE, to support fintechs in launching innovative card programs through a Card-as-a-Service (CaaS) model.

This collaboration enables licensed fintechs, startups, and digital-first companies to fast-track their time-to-market by leveraging Zand’s BIN sponsorship, paired with areeba’s advanced card issuing and processing capabilities. The combined solution covers the full card lifecycle, from onboarding and KYC to card issuance, transaction processing, compliance, and reporting.

“Our collaboration with Zand Bank marks a significant milestone in our mission to empower fintechs across the region,” said Maher Mikati, CEO at areeba. “By bringing together our technology and Zand Bank’s regulatory sponsorship, we’re creating a turnkey platform that simplifies the complexities of launching and scaling card programs in the UAE.”

Michael Chan, CEO of Zand Bank, commented: “Zand Bank is committed to driving fintech innovation in the region, and empowering the fintech ecosystem to thrive, accelerate, and contribute to the evolution of the digital economy. By leveraging our robust regulatory framework, including our BIN sponsorship, areeba is well positioned to enable fintechs to swiftly go to market, scale up, and succeed.”

The partnership reflects both parties’ commitment to driving innovation and financial inclusion by enabling the next generation of digital financial services.

Fintechs interested in launching prepaid card products under this new CaaS model can now benefit from a seamless integration process, reduced compliance burden, and faster go-to-market execution.