Citi and Arab Bank Partner to Offer 24/7 USD Payments for Corporate Clients

Dubai, UAE: Citi and Arab Bank have partnered to bring Citi’s 24/7 U.S. dollar (USD) Clearing service to Arab Bank’s corporate clients, enabling incoming and outgoing cross-border USD payments around the clock at selected branches.

The collaboration will leverage Citi’s global clearing network and Arab Bank’s extensive regional presence to facilitate fast, secure and seamless international payments. The initiative aims to support corporate customers operating across global markets, particularly as businesses increasingly require continuous payment services beyond traditional banking hours.

The partnership builds on an existing relationship between the two institutions, covering USD clearing, liquidity management, and trade and working capital solutions across multiple Arab Bank entities and markets.

Arab Bank’s network and subsidiaries operate in key financial centres, including Dubai, Singapore, London, Paris and Manama. By combining this regional reach with Citi’s global infrastructure, the banks aim to strengthen cross-border payment connectivity while maintaining compliance with applicable local and international regulations.

“Speed, transparency and innovation are increasingly essential for corporates and financial institutions alike,” said Emre Umut, Middle East & Africa Head of FI Sales at Citi, highlighting the importance of always-on payment solutions as global trade corridors expand and operations become more digitised.

Maram Al-Jazireh, Global Head of FI & Sustainability at Arab Bank, said the collaboration reflects the bank’s commitment to enhancing the customer experience and providing businesses with access to advanced global payment capabilities that support their evolving needs across international markets.

Citi’s 24/7 USD Clearing service is currently available to more than 300 financial institutions across over 50 markets and connects to more than 290 major clearing systems worldwide.

The collaboration represents a further step towards improving payment continuity for financial institutions in the Middle East, helping them navigate different weekend schedules and maintain stronger connectivity with global markets.