Arab National Bank Adopts Cisco Advanced Technologies to Power Growth Across Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Integrated Network Enhances Access to Data Center, Security, and Unified Communications Infrastructure


RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA--(Marketwire - April 6, 2009) - Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) today announced that Arab National Bank, one of the largest financial institutions in Saudi Arabia, has selected Cisco to upgrade its branch infrastructure with an integrated wide-area network (WAN) solution.

The bank will deploy an integrated communications network comprising a comprehensive suite of Cisco's advanced technology solutions, including a WAN routing infrastructure based on the market-proven Integrated Services Router. The solution will use Cisco® Wide Area Application Services (WAAS) to accelerate branch access to data held centrally, provide high levels of security, and underpin a Cisco Unified Communications infrastructure.

This Cisco WAAS implementation is a comprehensive WAN-optimization solution that accelerates applications over the network, supports the delivery of video capabilities to the branch office and provides local hosting of branch-office information technology services. The router-integrated WAN-optimization solution will enhance customer experience and retention by accelerating access to information, and the WAN upgrade is a prerequisite for a major core banking system that Arab National Bank will be launching within a few months.

The overall WAN/LAN solution is highly scalable and will support the delivery of new services in the near future, including voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VOIP)-based unified communications. With the help of Cisco's intelligent network infrastructure, Arab National Bank will be able to maximize efficiency across its national branch network while providing best-in-class customer service.

"The upgrading of the bank's branch delivery system and customer-facing platforms enables us to answer the diverse needs of our customers," said L. John Loomis, general manager and head of information technology, Arab National Bank. "With our new network infrastructure from Cisco, we will be able to offer an enhanced suite of services to our customers and maintain our leadership position in the Saudi banking sector."

"Major banks are increasingly optimizing resources and driving business transformation using Cisco's advanced technology offerings. Arab National Bank, as one of the top 10 banks in the Middle East, is an outstanding example of this trend of increasing demands on its internal operations," said Dr. Badr AlBadr, managing director, Cisco Saudi Arabia. "Cisco is helping ANB to implement a communications infrastructure that is robust, manageable, more secure and flexible enough for dynamic requirements."

About Arab National Bank
Arab National Bank (ANB), a Saudi Joint Stock Company, is one of the top ten banks in the Middle East. Since its inception in mid 1979, ANB operates through its 161 local branches including ladies branches and sections and one branch in London, UK since 1991.

ANB offers a full range of domestic and international commercial and Islamic products and services, foreign exchange and treasury services to the retail and corporate sectors.

For further information, please visit ANB website at www.anb.com.sa

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