AT&T's IP virtual private network services already connect many of SWIFT's global customers to its secure financial messaging services in other regions worldwide.

"Our agreement with AT&T ensures that we will be able to better serve our customers in the region by providing alternative ways to connect to SWIFT and greater resiliency of the technical infrastructure. This is important to SWIFT because the region's banks, financial institutions and corporates are growing and business continuity remains a primary focus," said Sido Bestani, Head of Middle East & North Africa, SWIFT.

AT&T is a preferred network provider to SWIFT and has competitively provided IP virtual private network services to SWIFT's global customers, including leading financial institutions, since 2002. Since then, many of the world's leading financial institutions have signed agreements with AT&T for IP VPN services across more than 1000 locations worldwide.

"AT&T has consistently provided a high level of service to SWIFT's customers for more than ten years and this agreement is a natural extension of our relationship with SWIFT as it continues to serve the banking and financial services market," said Andrew Edison, Regional Vice President, Europe Middle East and Africa, AT&T.

Dubai is AT&T's regional hub for the Middle East and Africa. AT&T provides multinational companies operating in the Middle East and Africa with access to an advanced portfolio of IP virtual private networking services as well as hosting, security and worldwide connectivity.