Dubai: Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) has launched UP by CBD, a new mobile banking platform designed specifically for micro and small businesses, offering entrepreneurs a fully digital banking experience from business setup through to daily financial management.The platform combines mobile account opening with access to business credit, payroll services, transfers and savings solutions within a single app.Launched in collaboration with ecosystem partners including the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the platform integrates directly with the Dubai Unified Licence (DUL), helping business owners move seamlessly from company registration to bank account activation.Faster banking for startupsCBD said the new platform is designed to remove many of the traditional barriers faced by entrepreneurs when establishing a business.Key features include:Fast digital onboarding through verification and integration with the Dubai Unified Licence and other trade licence authorities.Instant access to a business credit card to support early-stage cash flow and operational expenses.Zero-balance business accounts with flexible subscription options, removing minimum balance requirements for startups and small businesses.Access to transfers, payroll and savings tools through a single mobile platform.Supporting Dubai's D33 agendaDr Bernd van Linder, Chief Executive Officer of CBD, said the launch reflects the bank's commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses across the UAE."UP by CBD signals our long-term commitment to supporting business owners at every stage of their journey, helping them move more quickly from business setup to operation while contributing to the continued growth of Dubai's entrepreneurial ecosystem."He added that the collaboration with DET supports the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to strengthen Dubai's position as a leading global business destination.Designed around entrepreneurs' needsDhiraj Kunwar, General Manager of Retail & Business Banking at CBD, said the platform was developed specifically to address the challenges faced by small business owners."Business owners need to get their business up and running, access funding when they need it, and manage their finances with ease," he said."By integrating directly with the Dubai Unified Licence and combining fast onboarding with instant access to a business credit card, we are helping entrepreneurs move seamlessly from business setup to operation."Broader ecosystem supportBeyond banking services, entrepreneurs using UP by CBD will also gain access to wider support initiatives through partnerships with DET, including programmes such as Dubai Founders HQ and SME in a Box.CBD said the new platform combines the agility of a mobile bank with the security and regulatory framework of an established financial institution, leveraging the bank's more than 50 years of experience in the UAE market.The launch forms part of CBD's broader strategy to support entrepreneurship, accelerate business formation and strengthen Dubai's growing startup ecosystem.
