As the largest bank in Algeria, BADR manages the country's largest banking network with 290 agencies and 40 branches. The implementation is a significant milestone in the continued modernisation of the nation's payments infrastructure.

BASE24 will enhance the bank's ATM and POS network transaction processing via improved customer service and world-class reliability. The deployment will significantly improve time to market for BADR's new card products and support the demands of a growing card base. ACI is also helping BADR completely modernise its network of branches, helping the bank develop dedicated in-branch areas for customers to make transactions via ATMs.

"Leveraging ACI's innovative technology and the company's trusted reputation for service excellence, we are giving our banking infrastructure a complete overhaul," said Mahmoud Mansoura, director of electronic payments at BADR. "Our customers will be able to perform automated transactions at our branches and will also benefit first hand from reduced waiting times, increased service reliability and, for the first time, support of debit and credit cards with local merchants."

"By offering a modern banking cards operation and complying with the EMV mandate, we are meeting our objectives to provide a high level of customer service while raising the standard for consumer banking in Algeria," said Farouk Bouyacoub, president of BADR. "We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with ACI as we continue to play a leading role in the modernisation of Algeria's payments industry."

BADR will leverage BASE24 to deploy new functionality including support for EMV and multi-currency capability, improving customer service and reducing the risks associated with credit and debit card fraud. The bank is running BASE24 on an HP NonStop platform.

"BASE24 will enable BADR to reach outstanding levels of reliability, modernising its core banking structure and delivering a new level of service to its local customers," said Richard Launder, managing director at ACI Worldwide (EMEA). "BASE24 will run a secure payments system to BADR's entire ATM and POS network, on a platform that can seamlessly integrate other products within the ACI Commerce Framework."

In addition to its BASE24 deployment, BADR is also installing ACI Card Management System software to efficiently manage its expanding cardholder base. A new national POS card was introduced in February 2005, and BADR expects its existing cardholder base of more than 20,000 domestic cards will expand to around half a million within the next 12 months. ACI Card Management System is a complete solution that will enable BADR to issue cards, maintain account information, track card usage and set ATM/POS transaction limits. It will also be used to provide PIN processing, card production and online enquiries and reporting.