Al Rajhi Bank (ARB) is the first foreign Islamic bank to join the MEPS Shared ATM Network. The MEPS switch for ARB customers is scheduled to be activated by the third quarter of 2009. “The service will provide an extended auto teller machine reach and access for 8,367 of our customers,” said ARB chief executive officer Ahmed Rehman in a statement on Wednesday. Concurrently, he said, the MEPS would enhance its reach through this connection to Saudi Arabia. “The link makes the 1,400 ATM's available in the country to MEPS member bank customers,” he added. According to Ahmed, Malaysian pilgrims in Makkah and Medina would thus not have to carry much cash with them during the journey as they can access the ATM network in Saudi Arabia. ARB signed a memorandum of understanding with MEPs or the Malaysian Electronic Payment System (1997) Sdn Bhd (MEPS). ARB Malaysia was represented by Ahmed and MEPS by its group managing director Datuk Mohd Hata Robani. Ahmed said this latest partnership reaffirms ARB's commitment to its stakeholders in providing convenience for its customers. Meanwhile, Mohd Hata stated that the partnership with ARB is in line with MEPS vision of a future where customers can make ATM transactions effortlessly regardless of their location. To date, MEPS has establihed cross-border links in Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and China. MEPS takes pride in being the payment network switch in Southeast Asia with the most cross
