Bank of Sharjah has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Emirates Face Recognition (EFR), a UAE-based technology provider specializing in facial recognition, biometric verification, and digital solutions.

The agreement was signed during AI Everything Abu Dhabi, with Mr. Sridhar Karlapudi, COO of Bank of Sharjah, and Mr. Zack Charkas, CEO of Emirates Face Recognition, in attendance, alongside senior executives from both organizations.

The partnership reinforces Bank of Sharjah’s commitment to advancing its digital banking capabilities and delivering secure, convenient, and seamless customer experiences. Through EFR’s facial biometric and digital technologies, Bank of Sharjah will be able to streamline customer identification and verification journeys, supporting a more efficient and frictionless digital banking experience. Bank of Sharjah has gone live with EFR-powered facial authentication for fund transfers, with plans to expand to additional services. The technology is already seeing rapid customer adoption.

The collaboration also supports Bank of Sharjah broader digital transformation objectives, including the enhancement of its upcoming Mobile Banking App and Web journey, with a focus on instant account opening, digital services, and automated KYC updates. By leveraging advanced verification technologies, customers will be able to access and complete key banking services digitally, reducing the need for branch visits and creating a more convenient customer journey.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Sridhar Karlapudi, COO of Bank of Sharjah, said:

“We are proud to partner with an innovative national company like Emirates Face Recognition, which shares our ambition to deliver efficient, secure, and seamless banking solutions. This partnership represents an important milestone in our digital transformation journey and reinforces our commitment to innovation, customer-focused security, and delivering a superior digital banking experience.”

MR. Zack Charkas, CEO of Emirates Face Recognition, said:

“We are delighted to partner with Bank of Sharjah and support its digital transformation journey. Through EFR solutions, we aim to help organizations streamline critical customer journeys, strengthen security, and deliver seamless digital experiences. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to innovation and creating long-term value for customers and businesses in the UAE.”

The partnership builds on EFR’s experience in supporting financial institutions and other organizations with digital transformation, customer onboarding, and authentication solutions. EFR’s technologies are designed to help organizations simplify complex processes, improve operational efficiency and deliver secure, user-friendly digital experiences.