Innovative Solution to Provide Convenience for Employers and Employees
February 28, 2018
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Manama, Bahrain

AFS, the region’s leading FinTech enabler, and payment services provider, and Al Salam Bank-Bahrain, one of the pioneering Shari’a-compliant banks in the Kingdom, have signed an MOU with Lanterns Lounge and Restaurant group to roll out a Digital Payroll Program benefiting both the group as well as its employers. This is in line with the government’s initiative to ensure a wage protection system for employees of the Private Sector announced recently. Mr. Anwar Murad, First Deputy  CEO of Banking at Al Salam Bank and Mr. B Chandrasekhar, CEO of AFS  and Mr. Sanjeev Kapur, Director of Lanterns were present at the signing  at Al Salam Bank headquarters in Bahrain.
Mr. Anwar Murad, First Deputy CEO at Al Salam Bank-Bahrain said at the signing ceremony, “We had entered into a strategic partnership with AFS to introduce a digital payroll solution in the Kingdom of Bahrain earlier, in line with the government’s initiative announced recently. The program has been specifically designed to facilitate a large number of employers with a more convenient, automated and secured payment solution to credit employee salaries directly in their prepaid accounts.  Employees will also enjoy the benefits of withdrawing cash from ATMs in Bahrain or abroad, point-of-sale (POS) purchases at retail outlets, online shopping purchases and outward remittance.”
Mr. Anwar Murad further added, “We are excited to provide this solution to the Lantern’s group who have been customers of our bank for some time. This is a stellar example of our capability to work with industry leaders to develop unique payment solutions that offer customers a convenient, flexible and secure option for conducting payment transactions.”
B Chandrasekhar, CEO of AFS added, “Our Partnership with Al Salam Bank is a great opportunity to provide a cost-efficient and secure digital payroll program.  This is another step on Bahrain’s path towards a digital cashless society and financial inclusion.”
 
He added, “This will be particularly helpful for employees of Lanterns empowering them with access to financial services, and control over their expenses, and security to access their funds. As they will get paid electronically, they will have access to statements and multi-lingual customer support. Lanterns group will no longer need to process cash salaries and this new solution will help them immensely in terms of managing their payroll on a monthly basis. The solution is portal based and gives access to the employer to upload the salaries on a monthly basis directly with ease.”
Sanjiv Kapur, Director of Lanterns further added “This is a very innovative solution and we are happy to be the first corporate for this initiative. We will be now have the ability to transfer directly into the employees pre-paid cards and no longer require to manage cash on an ongoing basis, all at a minimal cost. Our employees too will be happy to have this facility which can be used in multiple locations. We look forward to a continuous relationship with both AFS and Al Salam Bank.”



Mr B Chandrasekhar, CEO, AFS, Mr. Anward Murad, First Deputy CEO, Al Salam Bank and Mr. Sanjiv Kapoor,
Director, Lanterns Lounge & Restaurants along with the AFS, Al Salaam and Lanterns team at the signing ceremony.