Afghan United Bank

What Afghan United Bank does

Afghan United Bank (AUB) is a privately held, Sharia-compliant Islamic commercial bank founded on October 4, 2007, and headquartered in Kabul, Afghanistan. The bank is licensed by the Central Bank of Afghanistan (DA Afghanistan Bank) and registered with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and it operates under the supervision of an internal Board of Sharia. AUB serves individual retail customers, corporate and business clients, government and institutional entities, and Hajj/Umrah pilgrims, addressing a stated customer base of 71,000+ across 34 provinces through 50+ branches, 120+ ATMs, and 260+ digital agents.

The product portfolio spans Islamic personal accounts (Individual Qard Current Account, Barakat/Mudarabah Savings, Special Child Saver, Payroll), corporate accounts, and Sharia-compliant financing (Murabaha for working capital and inventory, Financial Ijarah leasing, Bank Guarantees, and Lines of Credit). Digital banking services include a 24/7 internet banking portal, iOS and Android mobile apps, SMS alerts, QR code-based deposits and withdrawals, and a unified mobile money platform integrated with M-Paisa, M-Hawala, My-Money, and Aurum. Card products comprise Master Titanium All-in-One, Master Titanium Debit, Master Titanium Hajj & Umrah, Visa Gold Prepaid, and the AfPay instant-issuance card. The core banking platform is Oracle Flexcube, with compliance tooling that includes sanctions screening, Safe Watch Profiling, and large cash transaction reporting.

AUB's revenue mechanics are predominantly transaction-based and Sharia-compliant: Murabaha markups, Ijarah rentals, bank guarantee fees, lines of credit pricing, card transaction and interchange fees, and MoneyGram international remittance commissions (AUB is MoneyGram's sole authorized partner in Afghanistan). Recurring subscription revenue comes from savings/deposit accounts and digital alert services. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer and direct-to-SME/enterprise through branches, ATMs, agent banking, mobile and internet channels, and global card networks (MasterCard, Visa).

Name

Afghan United Bank

Legal name

Afghan United Bank

Website

https://afghanunitedbank.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Afghan United Bank is a Sharia-compliant Islamic commercial bank founded in 2007 in Kabul, serving 71,000+ retail, corporate, and government customers across Afghanistan. It operates 50+ branches, 120+ ATMs, and 260+ digital agents in 34 provinces on Oracle Flexcube, offering Islamic financing, cards, and MoneyGram-based remittances.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Islamic Commercial Banking

NAICS

Commercial Banking (52211), Depository Credit Intermediation (5221), Savings Institutions and Other Depository Credit Intermediation (522180)

SIC

National Commercial Banks (6021), State Commercial Banks (6022), Functions Related To Depository Banking, Nec (6099)

akta.pro primary industry

Islamic SME & Commercial Banking (FSABAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Shariah-compliant Financing Products (Murabaha, Ijara, Tawarruq, Istisna, Salam) (FSABAGAH), Islamic Deposit & Account Products (Current/Savings/Investment Accounts) (FSABAGAI), Islamic Retail Banking (FSABAGAA), Islamic Transaction Banking (Cash Management & Treasury Services) (FSABAGAF)

Keywords

• Islamic commercial banking
• Sharia-compliant banking
• Personal banking accounts
• Corporate financing services
• Digital payment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kabul

HQ country

Afghanistan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Islamic Financing (Murabaha): Profit-sharing sale where seller discloses acquisition cost with markup. Provides working capital and financing for goods, inventory, and raw materials.
2. Financial Ijarah (Leasing): Sharia-compliant leasing contract for property, plant, office automation, and vehicles with rental payments leading to ownership transfer.
3. Bank Guarantees: Sharia-compliant guarantees (Bid, Performance, Advance Payment, Retention) issued based on Wakala or Kafala for lawful businesses.
4. Line of Credit: Preset borrowing limits for personal and business customers with flexible pricing for diverse financial needs.
5. Card Services: MasterCard and Visa card services including debit cards, prepaid cards, and Hajj/Umrah cards with ATM, POS, and online transaction capabilities.
6. Money Transfer Services: Global money transfer through MoneyGram partnership and domestic transfers via M-Paisa, M-Hawala, and My Money.
7. Payment and Settlement Services: Doorstep banking, telegraphic transfers, salary payments, tax payments, bill payments (electricity/water), and cheque collection services.
8. Deposit Accounts: Qard current accounts, Mudarabah savings accounts (Barakat Account), and payroll accounts with Sharia-compliant structures.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Afghan United Bank is a Sharia-compliant Islamic commercial bank providing personal and corporate banking products including savings/current accounts, Islamic financing (Murabaha, Ijarah), bank guarantees, and lines of credit. The bank delivers digital banking services through internet banking, a mobile app, QR code-based agent network, and MasterCard/Visa card products, alongside money transfer services via MoneyGram and domestic mobile money operators.

Product overview

Afghan United Bank operates as a Sharia-compliant Islamic commercial bank offering a comprehensive suite of banking products and services. The bank provides personal accounts (Individual Qard Current Account, Barakat Account, Modaraba Saving Account, Special Child Account, Payroll Account) and corporate accounts (Corporate Qard Current Account) alongside Islamic financing products (Murabaha, Financial Ijarah, Banking Guarantee, Line of Credit). Digital banking services include Internet Banking, Mobile Banking App, SMS Alerts, QR Codes, and Mobile Money integration with multiple MNOs. Card offerings comprise Master Titanium All in One, Master Titanium Debit, Master Titanium Hajj & Umrah, VISA Gold Prepaid, and Afpay cards. Additional services cover money transfers (MoneyGram, domestic transfers), payment services (Doorstep Banking, Telegraphic Transfer, Utility Bill Payments), and ATM network access across 50+ branches.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Individual Qard Current Account A profit and loss-free Islamic banking account designed to meet individual banking needs, providing secure money storage with 24/7 access.
• Corporate Qard Current Account A profit and loss-free Islamic banking account designed for corporate banking needs, allowing fund access while adhering to Islamic finance principles.
• Barakat Account Mudarabah saving account that is a partnership contract between the Bank and the Client for fixed-period investment with profit credited at maturity.
• Modaraba Saving Account Mudarabah saving account offering partnership-based profit distribution for customers wanting easy access to funds while earning profit according to Islamic banking rules.
• Special Mudarabah Child Saver Account Mudarabah saving account designed to financially safeguard children with high profit rates based on Mudarabah partnership principles.
• Payroll Account Salary accounts opened under employer contracts for distributing employee salaries through the bank, with no minimum balance or closing charges requirements.
• Murabaha Financing Islamic financing product where the seller discloses acquisition cost and markup, designed for working capital and financing goods, inventory, and raw materials.
• Financial Ijarah (Leasing) Sharia-compliant leasing contract for property (land, plant, vehicles, office automation) with rental payments leading to eventual ownership transfer under Ijarah wa iqtina arrangement.
• Banking Guarantee Sharia-compliant Bank Guarantees (BGs) based on Wakala or Kafala, including Bid, Performance, Advance Payment, and Retention Guarantees.
• Line of Credit (LoC) Preset borrowing limit for personal and business customers with flexible pricing, quick service delivery, and strong competitiveness to meet diverse financial needs.
• Internet Banking 24/7 online banking platform offering account access, fund transfers, payment processing, standing instructions, and downloadable transaction history in PDF and CSV formats.
• SMS Alerts Real-time SMS and email notification service for account transactions, providing security alerts and account activity updates.
• AUB Mobile Banking App Mobile application for secure, convenient banking at fingertips, enabling balance checks, fund transfers, bank-to-wallet transfers, and mobile top-up.
• QR Code Banking Digital banking service through QR codes enabling fund withdrawals, deposits, and third-party deposits facilitated by 260+ agents across 34 provinces.
• Mobile Money Services Digital payment system integrating Mobile Money Operators (MNO) under a unified platform for storing, sending, and receiving money via mobile phone.
• Master Titanium All in One Card International MasterCard combining ATM, POS, and online transaction capabilities with multi-currency support, contactless payment, and weekly limit of 2000 USD/150,000 AFN.
• Master Titanium Debit Card Premium international debit card with ATM and POS functionality, EMV chip technology, multi-currency support, and monthly limit of 6000 USD/500,000 AFN.
• Master Titanium Hajj & Umrah Card Special MasterCard designed for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims with financial convenience and security features, global acceptance, and 3D Secure protection.
• VISA Gold Prepaid Card Chip-based contactless prepaid card not linked to bank account, with instant issuance, daily limits of 1500 USD for ATM and 3000 USD for online transactions.
• Afpay Instant Card Instant issuance card for AUB customers providing immediate access to funds through AUB and other bank ATMs via APS, usable only domestically at local POS terminals.
• MoneyGram International Transfers Global money transfer service through MoneyGram with international coverage and secure transactions available at all AUB branches and sub-agents.
• Doorstep Banking Facility providing cash deposit, withdrawal, and cheque deposit services at customer doorsteps through an agent network across all districts and provinces.
• Telegraphic Transfer Domestic and international money transfers from account holders to beneficiaries through wire system.
• Pay As per ID Cash-based transaction service using permissible IDs (Tazkira, passport, ID card, or telephone number) for customers in areas without physical branches.
• Salary Payments Service Corporate service for processing employee salaries within 24 hours, including to accounts at other local banks and to employees without bank accounts via Pay As per ID.
• Utility Bill Payments Service for paying electricity and water bills at AUB branches, available to both AUB customers and walk-in customers.
• Tax Payment Service Service enabling customers to pay taxes and customs duties at any AUB branch with or without holding an account, at reasonable charges.
• Cheque Collection Service Service for depositing and collecting local and international cheques into customer accounts.

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• MoneyGram International Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfghan United Bank is the sole authorized partner of MoneyGram International Inc. to facilitate international remittances, both inward and outward. Through MoneyGram, customers can send/receive money using their National ID (Tazkira) or Passport with minimal documentation. This service is available at all AUB branches and sub-agents.
• MasterCardcoreTechnology or IntegrationMasterCard partnership for issuing international debit cards (Master Titanium All in One, Master Titanium Debit Card, Master Titanium Hajj & Umrah) accepted at ATMs and POS worldwide for online and in-store transactions.
• VisacoreTechnology or IntegrationVisa partnership for issuing VISA Gold Prepaid Card with global acceptance for ATM withdrawals, POS transactions, and online purchases.
• Aurum Afghanistan Mobile Money ServicessupportingTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Aurum Mobile Money Company providing robust mobile money platform for secure and efficient digital payments, enabling users to conduct cashless transactions and manage finances on the go.
• Afghan Besim My Money Company (My-Money)supportingTechnology or IntegrationIntegration for quick money transfer system through My-Money AWCC W2B & B2W transactions, enabling customers to send and receive money through mobile within Afghanistan.
• mHawala (Etisalat)supportingTechnology or IntegrationIntegration for quick money transfer system through M-Hawala Etisalat W2B & B2W transactions, enabling customers to send and receive money through their mobile within Afghanistan.
• Oracle (Flexcube)coreTechnology or IntegrationOracle Flexcube is the state-of-the-art core banking system invested in by AUB, enabling comprehensive suite of financial products and services for personal banking, business services, and specialized financial products.
• APS (ATM Switching)supportingTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with APS for ATM switching, enabling AfPay Instant Card holders to withdraw money from AUB and other bank ATMs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• First MicroFinance Bank Afghanistan (FMFB-A): Afghan microfinance institution offering deposit and small-ticket lending services. Competes with AUB for mass-market retail customers and SME financing in lower-tier provinces.
• Pashtany Bank: State-owned Afghan commercial bank with nationwide branch presence. Competes with AUB particularly in government-related banking, salary distribution, and large corporate accounts.
• Bank-e-Millie Afghan (Afghanistan International Bank): Established Afghan commercial bank providing deposit accounts, lending, and trade finance services. Direct competitor in the Afghan commercial banking market with comparable product breadth and branch network.
• Kabul Bank: Historic Afghan commercial bank with retail and corporate banking operations. Competes with AUB for SME financing, deposits, and government salary distribution mandates across Afghanistan.
• Azizi Bank: One of Afghanistan's largest private commercial banks, offering similar retail, corporate, and trade finance products including Islamic banking services. Direct competitor for customer deposits, Murabaha financing, and nationwide branch coverage.

Others

• MoneyGram International: Strategic partner and core remittance infrastructure provider to AUB. Comparable as a transactional remittance platform; AUB's exclusivity arrangement makes MoneyGram a critical ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad: Established Malaysian Islamic commercial bank with comprehensive Sharia-compliant product suite. Comparable Islamic banking product mix and serves as a regional benchmark for Islamic banking scale and innovation.
• Dubai Islamic Bank: UAE's flagship Islamic bank offering full Sharia-compliant retail, corporate, and investment banking. Comparable Islamic product taxonomy and a benchmark for governance, digital banking, and Shariah board structure.

Regional players

• Bank Alfalah: Large Pakistani commercial bank with cross-border presence including remittance corridors into Afghanistan. Comparable in money-transfer business model and emerging-markets banking.
• Meezan Bank: Pakistan's largest Islamic bank, offering full Sharia-compliant retail and corporate banking. Comparable Islamic product architecture (Murabaha, Ijarah, Mudarabah), relevant as a regional benchmark for Islamic banking scale and digital deployment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/afghanunitedb

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Afghan United Bank