Commercial Bank of Dubai Launches Jaywan Prepaid Cards for Retail Customers
Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) has introduced Jaywan prepaid cards for retail customers, marking the lender’s first card products under the UAE’s national domestic card scheme. The rollout adds another use case for Jaywan, which is being developed to support payment transactions through local infrastructure.
The cards are issued by CBD through a corporate arrangement and are designed for everyday retail use. According to the announcement, the launch supports the UAE’s ongoing efforts to strengthen a more self-reliant financial ecosystem by processing transactions within domestic payment rails.
Jaywan is operated by Al Etihad Payments under the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). The scheme enables financial institutions to issue debit, prepaid, and credit cards, and its acceptance extends across point-of-sale terminals, e-commerce channels, and ATM networks. The cards also support contact and contactless payments, as well as card tokenisation across major digital wallet platforms.
CBD said the launch aligns with Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33, which aims to advance a digitally enabled economy. By localising card processing, the bank is positioning the product as part of a broader shift toward improved transaction efficiency and greater payment sovereignty in the UAE.
Aisha Almazrouei, Chief Customer Officer at Commercial Bank of Dubai, said the introduction of Jaywan represents a step toward a more self-reliant financial sector in the country.
“Through the Jaywan prepaid cards, we aim to provide secure, efficient, and accessible payment solutions that meet the needs of our diverse customer base,” Almazrouei said.
CBD added that it will continue to work with regulators and technology providers to expand secure digital payment capabilities. The move comes as domestic payment schemes continue to gain attention across the UAE’s banking sector, with institutions increasingly exploring local alternatives for card issuance and processing.
Jaywan’s Role in the UAE Payments Landscape
Jaywan is part of the UAE’s broader push to enhance domestic payment infrastructure. By allowing card transactions to be processed locally, the scheme supports operational control within the country and may contribute to faster, more secure, and more efficient payment flows. For banks and consumers alike, the availability of prepaid cards under the scheme expands access to nationally supported payment products.
Industry Analysis
The launch of CBD’s Jaywan prepaid cards reflects a wider industry trend toward domestic payment schemes in the UAE. As more banks adopt locally processed cards, the market is likely to see increased emphasis on payment sovereignty, infrastructure resilience, and digital wallet compatibility. The development also underscores the growing importance of prepaid products in retail banking, particularly for customers seeking controlled, accessible, and widely accepted payment tools.
