Muscat, November 29, 2018: Oman Arab Bank (OAB) recently conducted its Hasaad draw for the month of October, at its Head Office in Ghubra. The draw saw 83 winners from across the Bank’s branch network receiving OMR 500 each, together with one winner of OMR 20,000 as part of the Monthly Elite Draw and another winner of OMR 20,000 as part of the Regional draw for the Bank’s branches in the Shariqya region.

Commenting on the draw for October, Rashad Al Sheikh, Deputy General Manager of Retail Banking at OAB said, “With the draw for the month of October behind us, we are now in the homestretch of the Hasaad Savings Scheme for the year. There are however 169 prizes yet to be won in the final two months of the draw, which will come to a close with the year-end draw set to take place in the first half of January 2019.”

Hasaad Savings Scheme in its current edition offers the Bank’s clients across all regions and branches a chance to win one of several valuable prizes on a monthly basis. These prizes come as part of the Bank’s monthly draws, alternating between OMR 1,000 and OMR 500 per winner every month, across all branches. Regional Prize Draws, which will see one winner of OMR 20,000, conducted once every two months over the course of the year. The Hasaad Savings Scheme will also include 12 dedicated prize draws for Elite account holders with one winner of OMR 50,000 every quarter and one winner of OMR 20,000 for every month in between.

“On behalf of OAB I would like to congratulate each of the winners of the October Hasaad Savings Scheme draw; as well as encourage our other customers to continue saving so as to maximise their chances of winning in the final two months of the Hasaad Savings Scheme for this year,” added Rashad.

Oman Arab Bank is one of the first banks to be established in Oman with a rich and proud history. Today, the bank operates a nationwide network of 65 branches and representative offices and 150 ATMs spread across the Sultanate. OAB also provides a complete range of financial products and services for Retail and corporate banking clients.

Muscat, 08 November 2018: Oman Arab Bank announced that it has successfully closed unsecured perpetual subordinated bonds value of OMR 42,553,000 as Additional Tier 1 Capital with an issue price of RO 1.000 per bond, comprising the nominal value, and an interest rate of 7.5% per annum.

The Bank issued the bonds at a value of OMR 35 million with a green shoe option of OMR 15 million and was managed by Ubhar Capital (U-Capital), who acted as the financial advisor, issue manager, and lead arranger. These bonds attracted a significant number of investors, which in turn prompted the bank to increase the placement size by about 22% from its initial size; a clear reflection of the level of trust and confidence investors placed in the Bank.

Commenting on the success of the issue, Rashad al Musafir, the CEO of the Bank said, “The outcome of the bonds issue was as expected. The positive financial results, asset quality, and risk profile have contributed to the Bank’s strength. In addition, the close relationship of the Bank with a wide range of investors has also had a positive impact. On behalf of the Bank, I would like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to all the investors who have placed their trust in us. They are the cornerstone of our journey towards greater success.”

The interest payment for the Bonds will be payable semi-annual in arrears to the holders of these bonds at the date of interest payment. The issue was approved by the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) and Capital Market Authority (CMA). It is listed in the bonds segment of Muscat Securities Market (MSM).

Total Assets of Oman Arab Bank as of 30 September 2018 was OMR 2.28 billion and the total equity was OMR 307 million before the bond issuance. The bond issuance has resulted in an increase in equity to OMR 349.6 million and the total Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) improved from 14.09% to 16.03%.

Oman Arab Bank is proud to have achieved the highest Omanisation percentage within the banking sector, nearing 96%. It is also one of the first banks to be established in Oman with a rich and proud history. Today, the bank operates a nationwide network of 65 branches and representative offices and 150 ATMs spread across the Sultanate. OAB also provides a complete range of financial products and services for Retail and corporate banking clients.

Muscat, October 30, 2018: As part of its ongoing support and development of human resources, Oman Arab Bank (OAB) has announced the successful completion of the third batch of its ‘Ta’heal’ staff training programme. The programme was designed specifically for the Bank’s service employees. The third edition of this program was launched during the period from September 9 to 13, 2018 and was aimed at qualifying and developing the employee’s skills and capabilities; in turn, helping offer them better opportunities at the Bank in the future.

Commenting on the ‘Ta’heal’ programme, Adil said, “Providing our staff with every possible opportunity for career growth has always been a key point of focus for the Bank. ‘Ta’heal’ is just such a programme that, right from its very inception in August last year, was designed to target service employees, as part of the Bank’s approach in providing career growth opportunities to employees at all levels. It was aimed at providing our employees with the necessary skill sets and knowledge to take their performance to the next level, and ensure that they are keeping pace with all updates in the banking field.”

The programme was focused on several topics such as CASA, problem-solving, and visa cards. It also offers employees a better understanding of their individual role in achieving the goals of the institution, the role of the institution itself in assisting with their development in their areas of work, as well as introducing the principles of internal communication, teamwork, and institutional loyalty.

Oman Arab Bank is proud to have achieved the highest Omanisation percentage within the banking sector, nearing 96%. It is also one of the first banks to be established in Oman with a rich and proud history. Today, the bank operates a nationwide network of 65 branches and representative offices and 150 ATMs spread across the Sultanate. OAB also provides a complete range of financial products and services for personal banking, corporate, and investment clients.

Muscat, October 08, 2018: Highlighting its commitment to offer the best financial solutions and customer experiences across the Sultanate, Oman Arab Bank (OAB) has announced the opening of its newly relocated flagship branch in Salalah. The new customer-focused branch is conveniently located at the Salalah Commercial Centre, and is the first of its kind ‘Financial Souq’ in the region, with U-capital and National life housed in the same building. It will deliver the highest levels of convenience and enhanced banking facilities to the Bank’s customers in Salalah.

The branch opening took place on October 03 and was held under the auspices of HE Sheikh Salim bin Oufiet Al Shanfari. The event was attended by Rashad bin Mohammad Al Zubair, the Chairman of OAB, together with Rashad Al Musafir, CEO of OAB, and other senior members of the Bank management and staff. Also in attendance were several of the Bank’s VIP customers from the region.

Commenting on the launch of the new branch, Rashad bin Mohammad Al Zubair said, “Over the course of the past five years, OAB has been successful in executing its transformational strategy that aims at positioning the Bank among the top preferred banks by the customers. Our ongoing branch transformations across the country are a part of this strategy, one that is aimed at providing our customers with a unique banking experience focused on convenience, comfort, fast response times, efficiency, and optimal use of the very latest in banking technology. These new transformed branches are thoroughly unique and unlike anything found elsewhere in Oman.”

“This event marked the second transformed branch that we have opened this year, the first being the Sur branch that we opened a few months back. As with the other branches that have undergone this change, this revamped flagship Salalah Branch features our new design philosophy, with beautiful yet subtle colours and a stylish modern design. It also features the very best in technology and products, together with personalised levels of service, generous size, spacious layout, and a large parking area. That being said, this is the very first branch that has been designed as a ‘Financial Souq’ with several features and facilities never before seen in any of our branches to date. As a result, this new branch will elevate the banking experience for our customers in Salalah to an entirely new level,” added Rashad Al Musafir.

As with the previous relocated branches, the new Salalah branch features OAB’s enhanced brand identity with a refreshed look and feel; identical to the two flagship branches opened last year by OAB, in Qurum and Barka respectively, and the one launched in Sur earlier this year. Aesthetically, its design inspiration has been taken from the ‘Omani Skyline’, wherein the white symbolises Omani architecture, browns denote the sand deserts, grey referencing the mountains, and the blue glass overhangs representing the sky.

The sleek, modern, and streamlined look is augmented by a number of features and systems introduced as part of the new transformed branches. This includes the introduction of a new meet and greet facility with a streamlined queuing system, private advisory spaces with moving monitors for more personal interaction, together with digital signature pads and ID card readers within the advisory station design.

The new Salalah branch, however, is amongst the largest branch transformation projects OAB has undertaken and is also a first of its kind of ‘Financial Souq’ with U-capital and National life soon to be housed in the same building. The main branch area has six tellers and 11 customer care advisories with a seating capacity of 80 customers. It has a dedicated Corporate Services area, with capacity for three relationship managers and eight back-end staff, together with a corporate lounge area.

Commenting on the upgraded Elite facilities at the new Salalah Branch, Al Musafir said, “With the Salalah Branch we are elevating our elite services to an entirely new level. To begin with, the branch features a dedicated ‘Elite’ section with two Majlis with a total capacity of 25 customers. The ‘Elite’ section also has a dedicated coffee-lounge with restaurant-style seating, three RM Offices, and a 20-seat Elite Board Room. There is even a dedicated basement parking area for Elite customers, with a VIP lift that leads directly to the ‘Elite’ section. Together these features will provide the Bank’s VIP customers with a one-of-a-kind elegant and private experience that remains memorable.”

Lastly, the branch also has a multi-purpose space for training, entertainment, and future expansion purposes. As a result of all these changes, the branch transformation combines elements of design, form, and function and aims to elevate the customer experience as a whole resulting in better service. Furthermore, U-capital and National life will soon be opening their doors to customers in the same building, completing the Salalah branch’s transformation into a one-of-a-kind ‘Financial Souq’ in the region.

“This marks the third of a series of branches we plan on transforming and opening this year across the country. As one of our flagship branches, the new Salalah branch is amongst the largest in the country; helping us transform the banking experiences of our customers in Salalah. Given the size and capabilities of the branch, I am confident that the new branch will not just meet, but exceed our customer’s expectations; taking us one step closer to our ultimate goal of being their bank of choice in the country,” added Al Musafir.

Oman Arab Bank is one of the first banks to be established in Oman, with a rich and proud history. Today, the bank operates a nationwide network of 65 branches and representative offices and 148 ATMs spread across the Sultanate. OAB provides the complete range of financial products and services for personal banking, corporate and investment clients.

Muscat, September 26, 2018: Oman Arab Bank (OAB) has announced the appointment of Leen Al Atassi as the Head of Innovation at the Bank. In this newly established position, Leen will lead the Banks efforts in introducing innovative new ideas and initiatives that drive continuous improvement across the bank.

Commenting on the appointment of Leen, Rashad Al Musafir, the CEO of OAB said, “OAB has always been committed to attracting and developing local talent and unlocking their full potential. We always take a long-term view and aim to build the right capabilities amongst the staff that allows us to achieve a competitive edge in everything we do, as well as continue to innovate to deliver a consistently superior customer experience. Furthermore, the Bank has, over the past few years, focused on introducing innovative ideas and technologies across every facet of its operation. This is something we wish to expand on and take to the next level in the future. With that objective in mind, I am confident that Leen will be a valuable asset to the organisation in this newly established position and will help spearhead our efforts towards establishing OAB as a forerunner for innovating banking solutions in the financial sector of the Sultanate.”

Holding an MBA degree from the University of Strathclyde, a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Communications, and with a career spanning over 12 years across various financial institutions in the Sultanate, Leen Al Atassi brings with her vast levels of experience and expertise to support OAB in accelerating its strategic objectives. She has a proven record of introducing innovative strategic communication strategies, change management, and internal culture initiatives that have strengthened the brands and contributed towards the growth of organisations she has previously worked for.

Commenting on her appointment into the new role, Leen said, “I am extremely grateful to OAB for providing me with this opportunity and I am pleased to take up my new role as the Head of Innovation. I look forward to working closely with the team here at OAB to introduce new and innovative initiatives that will strengthen our core competencies and grow our business. In doing so, we aim to set ourselves apart from the competition whilst continuing to maintain the highest standards of customer service and business excellence that OAB is known for.”

Oman Arab Bank is one of the first banks to be established in Oman, with a rich and proud history. Today, the bank operates a nationwide network of 65 branches and representative offices and 148 ATMs spread across the Sultanate. OAB provides the complete range of financial products and services for personal banking, corporate and investment clients.