ila News

The digital mobile-only bank introduces its much anticipated credit cards offering industry-first features and a host of exclusive benefits through a seamless, end-to-end digital user experience journey.

30 November 2021: ila Bank, Bahrain’s fast-growing digital, mobile-only bank, has launched a unique Credit Card proposition, designed to cater to today’s discerning customers and enrich their lifestyle experiences with a world of exclusive benefits, rewards and offers, through a fully digital user experience via the ila banking app. Staying true to its innovative DNA and customer-centric focus, ila’s unique Credit Card comes in two forms, ‘ila Blue’ and ‘ila Switch’, in response to the lifestyle needs and spending behaviors of all user segments, aligned with its brand promise to continuously deliver – “Banking that reflects you”.

Commenting on the much-awaited launch, Nada Tarada, Head of Business & Customer, ila Bank said: “We are thrilled to bring to the market versatile Credit Cards like no other, customized to transform the lifestyles of today’s experience-centric generation. We carefully listened to and assessed our customers’ needs, wants and spending behaviours to create an unmatched credit card offering, giving users greater convenience, absolute transparency, full in-app control and a world of exciting benefits and rewards.”

Unmatched credit card attributes
From their sleek design, exclusive benefits & rewards to the entirely digital application process and in-app control center, ila’s Credit Cards are a class of their own. The ‘ila Blue’ caters to customers, looking for greater value, rewards and discounts, and offers a 1% cashback on all transactions up to a maximum of BHD 100 monthly. While the ‘ila Switch’ targets those looking to transfer their outstanding credit card balance to ila to avail its unique offers, rewards and discounts. As part of a limited offer ending 1st March 2022, customers can transfer their existing credit card balances with other institutions to ‘ila Switch’ at 0% interest for six months. The ‘ila Switch’ also offers a 1% cashback on all transactions up to a maximum of BHD 50 monthly. ila’s credit cards come with no annual fees.

World of exclusive benefits, rewards and prizes
In addition to cashback rewards, the ‘ila Blue’ and ‘ila Switch’ credit card customers will be eligible to enter a monthly draw for a chance to win one ounce Gold Bars for each BHD 1 spent using the credit card, at a minimum total spend of BHD 50. They will also have access to unrivalled partner offers and tailored benefits that reflect their lifestyles needs and aspirations.

In Bahrain, ila credit card users can access an extensive selection of handpicked offers, including discounts at top-of-mind brands iMachines and D. Haus; fashion outlets Beverly Hills Polo Club, Aldo and Athlete’s & Co; dining and beverage discounts in Gulf Hotel and trending coffee baristas CAF, illy Café and Costa Coffee; entertainment and leisure discounts at the Royal Golf Club, Cinépolis Cinemas, Padel Park and Gravity, and lifestyle packages at Bahrain National Life Assurance (bnl) and Denso Service.


Globally, ila credit card holders can access Mastercard’s attractive benefits, including access to 25+ airport lounges; premium membership for shipping with MyUS.com; 20% discount on Uber; cashback on Booking.com and Cleartrip.com and exclusive European Shopping Village offers.

The full list of offers is available on the ila Bank website www.ilabank.com/Offers 

“Everyone from travelers, foodies, to serial shoppers can unlock a wide array of attractive benefits, rewards, cashback and prizes that enhance their lifestyle experiences and maximize value-for-money. The ‘ila Blue’ and ‘ila Switch’ are the first of our Credit Card product suite, and we will soon bring to market additional credit card products as we continue to evolve alongside our customers.” Nada Tarada added.

Fully digital, seamless user experience and interface
ila customers can complete the entire credit card application process and track their application status via the ila banking app, without the need for physical bank statements or signatures. Upon receiving an ila credit card, users will have full control of their credit card experience, including the ability to set their pins, track their spend and automate payments through the ila banking app.

Commenting on the unique digital user experience, Mohamed Al Qassab, Head of Digital Experience, ila Bank said: “Our users and their experience are really the focus of everything we do at ila Bank. After collecting customer feedback throughout our digital touchpoints and in-person focus groups, we determined what an ideal credit card experience would look like for them. So, we leveraged the latest technologies to not only digitize the entire user journey but address our customers’ pain points.

“Through ila’s digital lens, we have reimagined the classic credit card product to enable users to better manage their spending, automate their monthly payments, and personalize their credit card experience to their liking, ultimately benefiting their credit history and creating the ideal experience,” he concluded.

Since its inception in November 2019, ila has continuously raised the bar for digital banking innovation in Bahrain and the region. Co-creating alongside its users, ila has released 20+ app upgrades and maintained excellent app ratings of 4.5/5 in Apple Store and 4.6 in Google Play. The digital mobile-only bank has recently been crowned “Best Consumer Digital Bank” and “Best Mobile Banking App” in Bahrain as part of Global Finance’s 2021 World’s Best Consumer Digital Banks Awards in the Middle East.