From the first of May

Banks stop receiving documents for individuals and companies via "fax"

Awatef Al-Harmoudi: “There are more used channels, such as smart applications and online banking services.”

All banks operating in the country have stopped using the "fax" machine as a means of receiving documents for dealers, whether for companies or individuals.

According to letters sent by banks to their customers yesterday, any documents sent by "fax" will not be recognized as of next May.

The letters of the banks indicated that, from that date, they will not be able to accept any documents sent by "fax" in any of their branches, since this method will not be within the technical structure available in those branches.

The messages called on the customers to use online banking services or smart applications for the purpose of completing any transaction or submitting an application.

In response, the banking expert, Awatef Al-Harmoudi, explained to “Emirates Today” that, finally, no one is using “fax” as a means of receiving documents or requests from customers for two reasons. The second reason relates to concerns about copying the customer’s documents, meaning that there is a high degree of risk that can be avoided by using the registered mail of the customer or the company.

She added that there are more used channels such as smart applications, as well as online banking services, noting that there is no longer any need to actually use "fax", so the banks that still keep it took the initiative to cancel it, and sent introductory letters before it.

According to estimates by bankers, they told Emirates Today that the percentage of users of digital banking channels in the UAE has reached 80%, while the percentage of the country's population who use ATMs has reached 100%.

Follow our latest local and sports news, and the latest political and economic developments via Google news