Al Fardan’s customers can now send money not just to bank accounts, but also to mobile wallets and cash pickup points in 87 countries.

UAE-based Al Fardan Exchange has partnered with Thunes, a global company dealing in cross-border payments, to enable its customers to make seamless payments to 87 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America.

Through this partnership, Al Fardan Exchange’s business and retail customers can make instant payments directly through more than 75 of its physical branches across the UAE not just to bank accounts, but also to mobile wallets and cash pickup points in their home countries, enabling recipients to receive money in their local currency.

Businesses and individuals will know exactly what they’re paying upfront, and will be able to track the status of their transactions in real time. The new services tap into growing customer demand for alternative payments.

Hasan Fardan Al Fardan, CEO at Al Fardan Exchange, said, “We are thrilled to partner with Thunes, a globally renowned institution that powers payments for the world’s fastest-growing businesses. As a customer-centric organisation, we are always focused on providing seamless end-to-end experiences for our customers.

“This collaboration with Thunes will further digitise our payment services and help boost our business growth strategy.”

Simon Nelson, SVP Thunes (MENA), said: “Al Fardan Exchange is a top-tier player and one of the most respected remittance and money exchange companies in the region, so this is an important partnership for us. The ability to make instant payments is becoming more and more critical in the current environment, and we hope that our technology will make a difference and help people feel more connected with their families.”