Business

A Closer Look at Qi Card’s Range of Financial Services

Published

4 months ago

August 19, 2024

Credit: Qi Card

Since starting in 2007, Qi Card has become a significant player in Iraq’s financial services. The Iraqi Electronic Payment Systems and Rafidain Bank founded Qi Card, which has changed how financial services operate in Iraq. It offers a variety of services that have impacted the financial industry.

Biometric ID Cards: Enhancing Security

Qi Card introduced biometric ID cards, setting a new standard for secure transactions in Iraq. These cards use fingerprint-based authentication, which helps prevent fraud and identity theft. Users can access their funds and complete transactions safely and efficiently.

Qi Card’s biometric ID cards have transformed financial inclusion in Iraq. As of 2024, Qi Card serves over twelve million clients, including government employees, pensioners, and private sector workers. Bahaa Abdul Hadi, the founder of Qi Card, said, “Our biometric technology has improved security and enhanced the user experience, making financial services accessible to more Iraqis.”

Comprehensive Mobile Application: Qi Services

Qi Card’s mobile application, Qi Services, is vital to its offerings. The app allows users to check balances, transfer money, and accept payments—all from their smartphones. This easy-to-use platform helps customers manage their finances effortlessly.

One standout feature of the Qi Services app is its integration with Western Union. This partnership makes it easy for users to send money internationally, which is essential for the Iraqi diaspora, as it allows them to send money home quickly and securely.

Salary Distribution and Loan Disbursement

Qi Card is crucial for distributing salaries to government and private sector employees. This service guarantees that employers pay wages on time and securely, reducing the administrative burden on employers and providing employees with a reliable way to receive their pay.

Since 2018, Qi Card has disbursed over $4 billion in loans to more than 800,000 citizens. These loans support small businesses and individuals, contributing to economic growth. The use of multi-biometric identification makes sure that these loan disbursements are secure and accessible.

Strategic Partnerships: Expanding Reach and Capabilities

Qi Card has formed strategic alliances to enhance its service offerings. Its partnership with Asiacell and Digital Zone aims to streamline digital transactions and promote financial inclusion in Iraq. These collaborations combine the strengths of each partner to offer more comprehensive services to users.

In a significant move, Qi Card launched the ‘superQi’ app in partnership with Alipay. This app integrates various financial services, including e-commerce capabilities, making it a one-stop solution for users. Bahaa Abdul Hadi noted, “The ‘superQi’ app marks a significant leap in providing comprehensive, advanced financial services to our users, setting a new standard in the region.”

Commitment to Financial Inclusion

A key goal of Qi Card is to enhance financial inclusion. It provides access to financial services to previously underserved populations, including displaced migrants. Qi Card is filling critical gaps in the financial system, making sure that more Iraqis can participate in the formal economy, and promoting broader economic growth.

Qi Card continues to innovate with products like travel card and credit facilities, which cater to the diverse needs of Iraq’s population and provide tailored solutions that enhance financial accessibility and convenience.

Future Prospects and Industry Impact

Iraq’s fintech sector is expected to grow significantly, with an estimated annual growth rate of 20% for 2024-2025. Qi Card is well-prepared to lead this growth with its strong technological foundation and strategic partnerships. The company’s innovative solutions and comprehensive services will likely attract more users.

While Qi Card has achieved considerable success, challenges remain. Regulatory changes and technological advancements, such as blockchain and AI, present both risks and opportunities. Qi Card’s ability to adapt and innovate will be crucial in navigating these changes and maintaining its leadership in the market.

Qi Card’s range of financial services highlights the company’s innovative spirit and dedication to enhancing financial inclusion in Iraq. Through advanced biometric technology, a comprehensive mobile application, strategic partnerships, and a focus on underserved populations, Qi Card is transforming the financial terrain in Iraq.

As the company continues to grow and evolve, its impact on Iraq’s economy and the global fintech industry will be significant.

Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

Published

5 days ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.