Muscat. 1 July 2026. Oman Arab Bank (OAB) announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Sulaiman Al Harthi, recently participated in strategic leadership sessions hosted by Arab Bank in Amman, Jordan. The sessions brought together senior executives and banking leaders from across the region to exchange perspectives on the evolving financial landscape, emerging opportunities, and the future of banking in the Middle East.

 

The engagement reflects the longstanding relationship between Oman Arab Bank and Arab Bank, built on shared values, mutual trust, and a common commitment to supporting sustainable economic growth and financial sector development across the region.

 

The strategy sessions provided an important platform for dialogue around key industry priorities, including digital transformation, customer experience, sustainable finance, operational resilience, and regional economic trends. Discussions also explored opportunities for deeper collaboration and knowledge sharing to support the continued advancement of the banking sector.

 

The participation comes shortly after Arab Bank’s support of Oman Arab Bank’s successful Additional Tier 1 (AT1) capital issuance, reinforcing the strength of the relationship between the two institutions. The landmark transaction marked an important milestone in Oman Arab Bank’s capital management strategy, further strengthening the bank’s capital position and supporting its long-term growth ambitions.

 

Commenting on the occasion, Sulaiman Al Harthi, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Arab Bank, said, “Our participation in these strategic sessions reflects the value of strong regional partnerships and the importance of collaborative thinking in shaping the future of banking. We are proud of our longstanding relationship with Arab Bank and deeply appreciate their support in our recent AT1 capital issuance. Such partnerships play a vital role in strengthening financial institutions, fostering innovation, and enabling sustainable growth across the region. As the banking industry continues to evolve, ongoing dialogue and cooperation among regional leaders will remain essential to creating long-term value for our customers, shareholders, and the wider economies we serve.”

 

Oman Arab Bank remains committed to strengthening regional partnerships and leveraging strategic collaborations that support innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth, while continuing to deliver value-driven banking solutions to its customers and stakeholders.

 

 

 

Muscat. 9 June 2026. Oman Arab Bank has launched the enhanced edition of its “Tumouhi 2026” training program as part of its ongoing efforts to support startups, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and strengthen their readiness for growth, expansion, and long-term sustainability.

 

The program falls under the broader “Tumouhi” platform, which the bank introduced several years ago as a comprehensive umbrella offering tailored banking and financing solutions, along with development initiatives and capacity-building programs dedicated to this vital sector.

 

The launch of the program’s new edition reaffirms the bank’s commitment to its role as a development partner for SMEs by combining financial support with capability building, knowledge-sharing, and guidance, thereby empowering entrepreneurs and enhancing the contribution of their businesses to economic development.

 

This year, the program underwent a comprehensive enhancement in both content and delivery, ensuring alignment with the rapidly evolving business environment and the changing needs of startups, micro, small and medium enterprises at various stages of growth. It has been designed to provide a holistic development experience centered on practical training, professional mentorship, managerial and financial skills development, and institutional readiness for growth and expansion.

 

The value of the program extends beyond training alone. It provides participants with access to a comprehensive ecosystem of opportunities, connections, and expertise, enabling them to engage with industry experts, strategic partners, and fellow entrepreneurs while benefiting from a supportive environment that broadens their horizons and enhances the growth and sustainability of their businesses. This further reinforces Tumouhi’s position as an integrated platform for empowerment and development.

 

Commenting on the launch, Sulaiman bin Hamad Al Harthi, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Arab Bank, said:

 

“Since the launch of the Tumouhi platform, we have been committed to ensuring that it serves as more than just a banking initiative. We envisioned it as a comprehensive ecosystem that supports and empowers entrepreneurs and SMEs through tailored financial solutions, development initiatives, and capacity-building programs. The launch of the enhanced Tumouhi 2026 training program reflects this commitment and translates our vision of supporting promising businesses and enabling them to achieve sustainable growth that meets the demands of the future.”

 

Al Harthi added:

 

“Through this edition, we aim to deliver a comprehensive participant experience that goes beyond traditional training by connecting participants to a network of expertise, relationships, and opportunities that support business growth and enhance readiness for the next stage of development. Throughout this journey, we look forward to recognizing outstanding participants, celebrating their achievements, and creating additional opportunities and value-added benefits that contribute to the growth, impact, and sustainability of their businesses.”

 

Al Harthyiemphasized that startups, micro, small and medium enterprises are among the most important drivers of economic growth, innovation, and job creation, noting that investing in their development and enhancing their readiness for growth is a direct investment in the future of Oman’s economy.

 

The program attracted strong interest from businesses across various sectors. Following an open registration process through digital platforms, applicants underwent a rigorous evaluation and interview process, resulting in the selection of more than 50 promising businesses to join the new edition of the program.

 

Over the coming months, participants will embark on a comprehensive development journey featuring specialized training modules, interactive workshops, and mentoring sessions aimed at enhancing managerial and financial skills, strengthening growth planning capabilities, and improving overall business performance.

 

The bank also commended the efforts of the Oman SME Academy, the program’s training partner, for its valuable contribution to the design and delivery of the training content, ensuring that it addresses participants’ needs and supports the achievement of the program’s objectives.

 

Through Tumouhi, Oman Arab Bank continues to develop an integrated ecosystem of services and initiatives dedicated to SMEs, driven by its belief in the sector’s vital role in supporting economic diversification, enhancing national competitiveness, and reinforcing the bank’s position as a trusted partner for growth and success at every stage of the business journey.

 

 

 

Oman Arab Bank S.A.O.G. (“OAB” or the “Bank”) announced on 18 May 2026 the mandate of a group of financial institutions in connection with a proposed benchmark fixed rate resettable U.S. dollar-denominated Regulation S Additional Tier 1 perpetual non-call 5.5-year capital securities issuance, subject to market conditions.

The Bank has mandated Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Arab Bank plc, Arqaam Capital, Citigroup, Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Kamco Invest, Oman Investment Bank, Standard Chartered and Ubhar Capital as Joint Global Coordinators, Joint Lead Managers and Joint Bookrunners to arrange a global investor conference call and a series of fixed income investor calls commencing on 18 May 2026.

The proposed issuance forms part of the Bank’s broader strategy to actively manage and optimise its capital structure, support long-term growth objectives, and further strengthen its regulatory capital base.

Commenting on the announcement, Sulaiman Al Harthi, Chief Executive Officer, said:

“The proposed issuance reflects Oman Arab Bank’s continued commitment to prudent capital management and maintaining a strong and diversified funding profile. The mandate of leading financial institutions reflects continued confidence in the Bank’s financial strength, strategic direction, and long-term growth prospects.

Proceeding with this transaction amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty and challenging market conditions further demonstrates the resilience of the Bank and the strength of the broader Omani banking sector.”

The proposed issuance is expected to further support the Bank’s capital optimisation strategy and remains subject to market conditions.

For further information, please contact:

investor.relations@oab.om

 

 

Oman Arab Bank hosted a media briefing to mark the successful listing of its US$400 million Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bond on the London Stock Exchange on 2 June 2026, highlighting a significant milestone in the Bank’s capital management journey and reaffirming its strong position within regional and international financial markets. The event brought together representatives from local media and key stakeholders, providing insights into the transaction, its strategic importance, and the strong investor confidence demonstrated throughout the issuance process.

The AT1 bond, structured as a perpetual non-call 5.5-year instrument with a fixed resettable coupon of 6.75 percent, was successfully issued amid heightened geopolitical tensions and challenging market conditions across global capital markets. Despite the prevailing volatility, the transaction attracted substantial investor interest, generating an orderbook exceeding US$1.1 billion and achieving an oversubscription of approximately 2.75 times. During the briefing, Oman Arab Bank highlighted how the transaction supports the Bank’s long-term capital optimization strategy while further strengthening its capital position and enhancing financial flexibility to support future growth objectives.

The Bank also noted that the issuance achieved pricing at 6.75 percent, approximately 50 basis points tighter than the initial pricing guidance, reflecting strong confidence from regional and international investors in Oman Arab Bank’s credit fundamentals, financial resilience, strategic direction, and the overall strength of the Omani economy. The successful listing on the London Stock Exchange further expands the Bank’s presence within international capital markets and reinforces its ability to access diversified funding sources while maintaining prudent capital management practices.

Speaking during the press conference, Sulaiman Al Harthi, CEO of Oman Arab Bank, said: “The successful completion and listing of this AT1 issuance represents a major milestone for Oman Arab Bank. Achieving such strong demand from regional and international investors, particularly amid challenging market conditions, reflects the confidence the investment community places in the Bank’s strategy, governance, financial resilience, and long-term vision.”

He added: “This transaction was not only about raising capital. It was a strategic step aligned with our long-term capital optimisation plans and our ambition to further strengthen Oman Arab Bank’s regional and international market positioning. The successful listing on the London Stock Exchange places OAB among a select group of regional financial institutions accessing global capital markets with confidence and credibility.

 

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to a number of people. To our shareholders — Arab Bank Group and Ominvest — whose strategic support and confidence in OAB has been unwavering. This transaction would not have been possible without the credibility that comes from having shareholders of their quality. To our customers and partners, whose loyalty and trust are the foundation of everything we do. To the Central Bank of Oman, whose regulatory framework provides the stability that makes transactions of this kind possible. To the Financial Services Authority, whose guidance and support were instrumental in the successful completion of this issuance. To our joint lead managers — Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Arab Bank, Arqam Capital, Citigroup, Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Kamco, Oman Investment Bank, Standard Chartered and Ubhar Capital — for their professionalism and commitment throughout this process.”

The transaction attracted participation from a broad and diversified investor base across regional and international markets, underscoring continued confidence in the Bank’s long-term prospects and its ability to navigate evolving market conditions successfully. Through initiatives such as this, Oman Arab Bank continues to strengthen its position as a leading financial institution in the Sultanate of Oman, committed to supporting sustainable growth, delivering long-term value to stakeholders, and contributing to the continued development of the national financial sector.

 

 

 

 

 Reflecting her commitment to innovation and excellence in customer engagement, Ms. Sumaiya Al Riyami, Head of Customer Experience at Oman Arab Bank, was honored with the “Woman Leader in Customer Experience Engagement Award” during the 15th Annual Al Mara’a Summit & Awards 2026.

 

The recognition reflects Sumaiya Al Riyami’s leadership in advancing customer-centric strategies and enhancing service excellence across the Bank’s operations and banking channels. Through her role, she continues to drive initiatives focused on strengthening customer engagement, improving customer journeys, and transforming customer insights into impactful strategic initiatives.

 

As Head of Customer Experience, Sumaiya Al Riyami plays a key role in embedding a culture that places customers at the center of the Bank’s strategic priorities. She has contributed significantly to the development of customer experience governance frameworks and cross-functional collaboration efforts that support the delivery of seamless and innovative banking experiences.

 

Her leadership reflects a strong commitment to institutional transformation, service innovation, and building long-term customer trust through meaningful and sustainable engagement. The award further reinforces Oman Arab Bank’s ongoing commitment to enhancing customer experience standards and empowering leaders who contribute to delivering excellence across the organization.