Pursuant to the CBK's instructions

Ghadeer Al-Awadi

KUWAIT: Driven by its mission to introduce the best banking solutions for customers and in support of the Central Bank of Kuwait instructions and regulations that urge banks to provide tailored services for people with special needs, NBK has dedicated 6 fully-equipped branches in various governorates to accommodate people with special needs.

NBK's Head of Branches, Ghadeer Al-Awadi stated that the bank is committed to develop inclusive banking services that cater to all segments, including customers with special needs; whether the blind, deaf or people with physical disability. That's why 6 branches were fully equipped as per the highest international standards to welcome and accommodate customers with special needs from the moment they arrive until the moment they leave.

Awadi added that the bank currently offers designated services in all branches for this segment, like: reserved and clearly marked parking spaces, as well as wheelchair friendly access to the branch and ATMs. Yet, NBK has recently implemented additional services and measures across selected branches, which are: Fahaheel Al-Saheli, Mubarak Al-Kabeer, Cinema Salmiya, Saad Al-Abdullah, Rehab and Head Office to further support our customers with special needs.

Besides, the 6 branches are managed by a team of well-trained staff to communicate in sign language, in addition to services for the visually impaired and disabled customers such as Braille printing facilities inside the branch, iPads providing speech to text functionality for visually-impaired, easily accessible safe deposit boxes, and debit and credit cards with photo functionality for easy identification, when requested.

Moreover, NBK's ATMs are equipped with Braille keypads and a headset jack for voice guidance commands to assist customers in conducting their transactions privately, as well as employing extra security measures inside the ATM room to guarantee customers' safety and personal wellbeing at all times.

Awadi concluded by affirming that this step stems from the bank's strict adherence to CBK's latest instructions and regulation to equip one branch in each governorate to serve people with special needs, as well as translates NBK's mission to deliver world-class banking services that cater to all segments.