Branching out is just part of being a banker

The Life: Rami Nizar Joudah details what his day is like as the head of branches and Islamic banking at United Arab Bank in Sharjah.

Rami Nizar Joudah . Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

Rami Nizar Joudah is the head of branches and Islamic banking at United Arab Bank in Sharjah. He talks about what he does all day while connecting with clients and staff across 14 branches.

Before sunrise

Normally I am up before the sunrise. After my prayers and other daily chores, I work out a little for staying active for the rest of the day. Dropping my kids to school every day keeps me in a good mood despite work pressures.

8am

In case I am not travelling, I arrive at work. My work is not confined to my office only. As I have to be with my team across 14 branches all over the UAE. I keep visiting them on a regular basis. My broad responsibilities include driving the business through the branches, ensuring seamless customer service, updating the staff at branches with the latest developments in the bank and on the products and services. In addition to looking after the branches, I am also responsible for Islamic banking business.

Late morning

In retail banking we have a small and well-knit team. It's a very informal set up. So we keep meeting and sharing all through the day. Apart from this, I do have meetings with various functions within the bank, staff at branches and with our customers. I have to ensure that all the support functions, systems and procedures, policies and products are directed towards growing business of the bank.

Lunch

On a working day, it's always a quick bite in the office. However, I love to have a working lunch outside with my branches' staff or with the customers once in a while.

After lunch

My day revolves around business and branches. My first priority is to stay in touch with my team who are free to call me any time for any kind of support or issues. Business planning, work-related discussions and review of progress reports generally take place in the afternoons.

Late afternoon

There's no time to wind up the work. Each day comes with new challenges. One has to live up to the expectations of the people one is working with. I do not work according to the official hours. [Before leaving work] I ensure that nothing is pending with me that might hamper business or customer service at branches.

Evening

I go home in a light mood with a clear conscience. There's no fixed time to get back home. However, as soon as I get back home, I spend some time with my family and love playing with my kids. Sometimes, I take my family out for dinner and for shopping. Going for bowling makes me feel relaxed and release pressure.

11pm

I make it a point not to go to bed very late as it affects my working the next day and the kids also have to go to the school. By 11pm, I generally go off to sleep.

* Neil Parmar