CBD Signs Strategic MoUs at Dubai FinTech Summit 2025, Reinforces Vision for Digital-First Banking

Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD), one of the UAE’s foremost financial institutions, has cemented its position as a digital-first bank by signing three strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) at the Dubai FinTech Summit 2025. The agreements with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Nexthink, and CODE81 reflect CBD’s commitment to enhancing customer and employee experiences through thoughtful, tech-driven innovation.

As a strategic partner and exclusive sponsor of the VIP Lounge at the Summit, CBD’s participation underscores its ongoing efforts to lead in digital transformation. This marks the third consecutive year of CBD's involvement at the high-profile event, aligning with its vision to shape the future of banking in the UAE and beyond.

The MoU with Nexthink, signed by Sultan Ahmed AlMahmood, Chief Human Resource Officer at CBD, and Gireesh Ramachandran, CEO of Nexthink, will enhance employee experience using advanced digital workplace analytics and proactive IT service management tools.

CBD’s agreement with CODE81, represented by Helen Brewster, Head of Transformation and Business Management at CBD, and Nader Paslar, General Manager at CODE81, will strengthen the bank’s data and analytics infrastructure, driving forward its data-centric innovation journey.

Celebrating a decade-long collaboration, CBD renewed its technology partnership with TCS. The MoU was signed by Thomas Cherian, Chief Information Officer at CBD, and Sumanta Roy, President & Regional Head – Middle East and Africa at TCS. The new agreement reaffirms their alliance in tech service operations and sets the groundwork for future joint innovation.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Bernd van Linder, CEO of CBD, stated, “At CBD, we believe innovation must serve the customer. These partnerships reflect our drive to simplify everyday banking and accelerate our digital evolution. For over 50 years, we’ve supported the UAE’s growth and remain committed to playing a central role in building a future-ready economy.”

In addition to the signings, CBD’s leadership contributed to high-level discussions at the Summit:

• Dr. Bernd van Linder participated in a panel titled “The Next Financial Frontier: Navigating the Tech-Driven Economy”, emphasizing how AI and GenAI are transitioning from concept to reality, unlocking new industry possibilities.

• Vladislavs Mironovs, Chief Digital Officer, led a panel on “Open Finance, Open Possibilities”, highlighting collaboration between banks, fintechs, and regulators as essential for advancing innovation and financial inclusion.

• Hamayoun Khan, Head of Transaction Banking, hosted a fireside chat with the CEO of Haifin, an e& enterprise company, on “Reimagining Bank Guarantees”, discussing the need to digitize trade instruments to scale trust and impact.

CBD also hosted the GCC Fintech World Cup Qualifier ahead of the Summit, where leading startups competed for a spot in the global finals, reaffirming CBD’s role in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.

These developments reflect CBD’s alignment with the UAE’s D33 economic agenda and national ambition to build a globally competitive, innovation-driven economy.