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RAKEZ and Rakbank Launch UAE-First 60-Minute Business Banking for Entrepreneurs

By Lauren Towner · 1 October 2026

Press Release: RAKEZ and Rakbank Launch UAE-First 60-Minute Business Banking for Entrepreneurs | Featured Image by FF News

Quick Summary

How can RAKEZ businesses open a bank account quickly? RAKEZ and Rakbank have launched a UAE-first proposition allowing eligible businesses to open a Business Current Account in just 60 minutes. This initiative simplifies Business Banking UAE for entrepreneurs, offering zero minimum balance and discounted fees for the first year.

How Does the RAKEZ and Rakbank Partnership Speed Up Business Banking UAE?

Sixty-minute account opening is now a reality for eligible businesses operating within the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone. By integrating the licensing and banking workflows, RAKEZ and Rakbank have removed the traditional multi-day waiting periods that often hinder SME growth strategies. This Business Banking UAE solution is available to both new startups and existing firms looking to migrate their financial operations to a more agile provider.

  • Instant account activation within one hour of application.
  • Seamless digital integration between the economic zone and the bank.
  • Targeted support for over 50,000 companies currently hosted by RAKEZ.

What Financial Incentives Are Available for RAKEZ Businesses?

Meaningful cost savings are front-loaded into this new banking proposition to support early-stage cash flow. Eligible companies benefit from zero minimum balance requirements for the first 12 months, alongside a significantly reduced monthly maintenance fee of just AED 49. Furthermore, the partnership offers AED 1,000 cashback for businesses maintaining a modest average balance, ensuring that Business Banking UAE remains accessible and rewarding for the region's diverse industrial and commercial sectors.

  • Zero transfer fees on domestic and international transactions until October 2026.
  • AED 1,000 cashback for maintaining a 25,000 AED balance.
  • Discounted maintenance fees to lower operational overheads.

"Speed matters to businesses. Entrepreneurs and business owners want to spend their time building their companies, serving their customers and pursuing new opportunities, not waiting for a bank account to become operational." said Vishal Shah, Managing Director, Business Banking Group at Rakbank.

How Does This Move Strengthen the UAE’s Business Ecosystem?

Integrated business ecosystems are essential for attracting global investment, and this collaboration positions Ras Al Khaimah as a leading hub for industrial and commercial activity. By providing fast, efficient banking, RAKEZ ensures that its 50,000+ members can focus on pursuing growth ambitions rather than administrative hurdles. This initiative reflects a broader trend in Business Banking UAE where economic zones and financial institutions collaborate to provide a one-stop-shop experience for international and local investors.

"Enabling eligible clients to open a business account within an hour represents an important step forward in simplifying access to banking." said Ramy Jallad, Group CEO of RAKEZ.

FF NEWS TAKE:

This partnership is a masterclass in removing friction from the entrepreneurial journey. By slashing account opening times to 60 minutes, RAKEZ and Rakbank are addressing the single biggest pain point for new businesses in the region. This move significantly advances the Business Banking UAE landscape, proving that when economic zones and banks align their digital infrastructure, the entire SME ecosystem wins. It’s a bold, needle-moving standard that other regional hubs will now be pressured to follow.

Companies in this story: RAKBANK, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)

People in this story: Ramy Jallad, Vishal Shah

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