UP by CBD launch
CBD launched UP by CBD, a mobile-first bank aimed at micro and small businesses, built around minutes-long onboarding through the Dubai Unified Licence, a zero-balance account and an instant business credit card. It went out with Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism as ecosystem partner.
- The brief
- Owners of micro and small firms in the UAE who lose time between getting a trade licence and opening a usable bank account.
- The idea
- CBD built a mobile-first bank wired into the Dubai Unified Licence, so owners apply in minutes and get an account with no minimum balance plus a business credit card issued on the spot.
- What to borrow
- Plugging into the moment a customer gets licensed catches them at the exact step where they need the product.
Case studies like this
Campaigns from other brands that did something close, matched on what each one actually did.
| Brand | Campaign | Type | Agency | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| anb | World Cup credit card campaignDigital/social · 27 Oct 2022 | Digital/social | – | 27 Oct 2022 |
| DMCC | Made For Trade LiveExperiential · 5 Aug 2026 | Experiential | – | 5 Aug 2026 |
| Sinad Holding | Aseer Trading rebrand to Sinad HoldingRebrand · 5 Jun 2022 | Rebrand | – | 5 Jun 2022 |
| Emirates | Season of RewardsIntegrated campaign · 22 May 2026 | Integrated campaign | – | 22 May 2026 |
| Sarwa | Wealth's New LookIntegrated campaign · 16 Mar 2026 | Integrated campaign | DUCKLIFE | 16 Mar 2026 |
| Dubai Parks and Resorts | Soueast x Dubai Parks and Resorts Spend & WinExperiential · 16 Dec 2025 | Experiential | – | 16 Dec 2025 |
What other banking & finance brands ran
The latest confirmed campaigns from the rest of the category, Gulf.
| Brand | Campaign | Type | Agency | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyHassad | MyHassad $1 million monthly prizeIntegrated campaign · 26 Aug 2026 | Integrated campaign | – | 26 Aug 2026 |
| Axi | Axi brand refresh and new websiteRebrand · 20 Aug 2026 | Rebrand | – | 20 Aug 2026 |
| Al Baraka Islamic Bank | Your Summer is Better with Al BarakaIntegrated campaign · 20 Jul 2026 | Integrated campaign | – | 20 Jul 2026 |
| QIB | QIB Qatar Airways Privilege Club bonus Avios offer21 Jun 2026 | – | – | 21 Jun 2026 |
| Bupa Arabia | KiswaPurpose · 14 Apr 2026 | Purpose | – | 14 Apr 2026 |
| iMarkaz Invest | iMarkaz InvestLaunch · 30 Mar 2026 | Launch | – | 30 Mar 2026 |
| National Bank of Bahrain | Eidiya new banknotes 2026Festive · 17 Mar 2026 | Festive | – | 17 Mar 2026 |
| DIB | Win up to 10KG Gold21 Jan 2026 | – | – | 21 Jan 2026 |
More from CBD NOW
| Campaign | Type | Agency | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBD NOW launchLaunch · 19 Dec 2016 | Launch | Hug Digital | 19 Dec 2016 |