Emirates NBD Earns Pioneering Double Platinum in Smart Building Tech

Emirates NBD has landed a rare double win, becoming the first bank anywhere in the world to secure both WiredScore Platinum and SmartScore Platinum certifications. Quite a mouthful, I know, but these two labels are essentially the gold standard for digital connectivity and smart-building technology. The honours apply to the bank’s new Group Head Office in Dubai and its fresh KSA Head Office in Riyadh, both of which have been designed to fit neatly into the UAE and Saudi visions for smarter, more sustainable cities by 2030.

For anyone not familiar with these certifications, WiredScore looks at how well a building is wired up for fast, reliable internet and whether its digital backbone is ready for whatever the future throws at it. SmartScore, on the other hand, digs into how cleverly the building uses tech—from energy efficiency to user experience—to improve daily life for people inside. I reckon both labels are becoming a bit of a badge of honour for any serious organisation these days.

Emirates NBD says the double achievement reflects its push to be a “data-first” bank, making sure its staff work in places that can genuinely keep up with modern demands. Eman Abdulrazzaq, the Group’s Chief Operating Officer, noted that the certifications support wider transformation efforts around customer experience, workforce efficiency and sustainability. She also highlighted how these ambitions align with the broader human development goals in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, especially as both countries lean heavily into their 2030 plans.

On the flip side, WiredScore’s CEO William Newton called the bank’s approach “a masterclass” in future‑ready buildings, praising the partnership for setting an industry benchmark. And believe it or not, WiredScore’s global experience now spans more than a billion square feet of certified real estate, which gives some weight to its standards.

What stood out to me—thinking back to some of the early-day startups I’ve met through Arageek—is how often founders complain that connectivity issues are a bit of a faff in older office buildings. So seeing major institutions push the envelope like this might, hopefully, set off a positive domino effect across the region’s property landscape. Smart spaces don’t just look good; they genuinely change how teams operate… well, I mean, when they’re done right.

Emirates NBD, with more than nine million customers across 13 countries, has long positioned itself as a digital-forward bank. Around 97% of its transactions already happen outside branches, which gives you a clue about the direction it’s heading. The new certifications simply reinforce that trajectory—even if the paperwork around them is probably a tad tedious, as one might imagin.

For a region that’s rapidly embracing advanced digital infrastructure, this milestone feels spot on. And if it nudges more companies to upgrade their buildings rather than sticking to outdated setups, I’ll be chuffed to bits.

🚀 Got exciting news to share?

If you're a startup founder, VC, or PR agency with big updates—funding rounds, product launches 📢, or company milestones 🎉 — AraGeek English wants to hear from you!

✉️ Send Us Your Story 👇

https://en.arageek.com/send-us-your-story-or-a-news-tip