Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) announced the opening of its new Sahara Centre branch in Sharjah, bringing the bank's UAE-wide network to a total of 69 branches. The new branch, DIB's 14th in Sharjah, offers customers a full suite of banking services. Dr. Adnan Chilwan, Deputy CEO - Chief of Consumer and Wholesale Banking, Dubai Islamic Bank, said: "The continued expansion of DIB's UAE-wide branch network is a central plan of our long-term customer acquisition strategy. Ensuring branches are located near our existing and potential customers has made a significant contribution to DIB's impressive growth in its core operations in 2011, and will continue to do so as we look towards the remainder of the year." Rashid Mahboob, Head of Mass Market, Dubai Islamic Bank, said: "The opening of the Sahara Centre branch is in response to the growing needs of customers in Sharjah." "Moreover, this branch reflects the increasing demand from customers for even easier and more convenient banking services. In light of this, DIB will continue with a strategy of opening more branches in malls as they allow customers to conveniently combine banking with shopping activities." he concluded.