OAB Organizes “Iftar Saem” Initiative in Support of Charity

OAB Organizes “Iftar Saem” Initiative in Support of Charity

Muscat: As part of its commitment to fostering a culture of charity and humanitarian work, Oman Arab Bank (OAB) successfully organized the Iftar Saem initiative this year in the Wilayat of Muttrah. This initiative is part of the bank’s annual Ramadan activities, aimed at encouraging generosity and embodying the virtues of the holy month.

This program is an integral part of OAB’s comprehensive corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, designed to create a lasting positive impact. It encompasses support for local communities and charitable work, as well as the development of programs and services and the introduction of innovative solutions that drive the growth of Oman’s private sector. Additionally, it enhances customer service and facilitates access to financial services for all segments of society, including individuals with disabilities.

The active participation of OAB employees in the Iftar Saem initiative and other community programs reflects their strong commitment to social responsibility and charitable work, which remains a core priority for the bank.

Sulaiman Al Harthi, CEO of OAB, stated: “OAB takes great pride in its track record of impactful and innovative CSR initiatives, which reinforce its leadership as a distinguished financial institution in Oman. The bank not only contributes to the advancement of the banking sector but also plays a vital role in volunteerism and social work. Our goal is to make a tangible, positive impact in accelerating the achievement of national objectives for sustainable human and economic development. This broad vision of corporate social responsibility is a fundamental pillar of our banking excellence strategy, which OAB has upheld throughout its distinguished journey.”

“Throughout the year, OAB organizes a diverse range of charitable, humanitarian, and volunteer programs that promote the values of solidarity and social cohesion. During the holy month of Ramadan, the bank takes pride in its impactful initiatives, including waiving outstanding debts for dozens of affected customers, continuing its annual Eid exhibition to support the growth of Omani small and medium enterprises, and launching various other community-driven initiatives.”

Al Harthi added: “As a leading financial institution in Oman, OAB recognizes the power of collaboration in achieving corporate goals. That is why we encourage our employees to share ideas and contribute creative solutions that make a meaningful difference in the lives of all segments of society. We extend our sincere gratitude to our team of volunteers from the bank, who has dedicated their time and effort with great commitment to organizing and ensuring the success of the Iftar Saem initiative, along with other events and activities that reflect the deep-rooted Omani values of generosity and giving.”

From February 24 to March 31 Oman Arab Bank Launches Ramadan 2025 Markabati Car Loan Campaign with Flexible Terms and Instant Approvals

From February 24 to March 31

Oman Arab Bank Launches Ramadan 2025 Markabati Car Loan Campaign with Flexible Terms and Instant Approvals

Muscat – In a move that reflects its commitment to providing innovative financial solutions to its customers, Oman Arab Bank has announced the launch of its special Ramadan Markabati Car Loan campaign. The initiative aims to meet the needs of individuals and families by offering flexible financing terms and competitive interest rates.

 

The digital campaign for the “Markabati” car loan from Oman Arab Bank started on February 24 and will continue until March 31. The bank offers flexible repayment terms of up to 10 years, helping improve personal financial management and saving time and effort. It also provides customers with the opportunity to obtain financing for purchasing new or used cars with attractive interest rates, reaching some of the lowest rates in the market, contributing to easing the financial burden on customers during the holy month of Ramadan.

 

The campaign also targets customers with existing car loans by offering easy refinancing options to help reduce interest costs and improve loan terms.

Commenting on the campaign, Mr Juma Al Fulaiti, Deputy Head of Retail Banking at Oman Arab Bank, stated:
“We are committed to meeting the needs of our customers by providing innovative and accessible financing solutions. With the spirit of Ramadan in mind, this campaign offers individuals and families the opportunity to purchase or upgrade their vehicles or even refinance their current loans under improved terms.”

The campaign targets individuals aged 21 to 65, including young professionals, first-time car buyers, and families looking to upgrade their vehicles. The bank is also focusing on customers who wish to refinance their current car loans to benefit from better interest rates and reduced financial burdens.

Oman Arab Bank’s Ramadan Markabati Car Loan offer will be available from February 24 to March 31, allowing customers to take advantage of these competitive offers and enhance their financial experience.

This year’s Ramadan car loan campaign highlights Oman Arab Bank’s continued commitment to empowering customers with the right financial decisions, providing them with tailored financial solutions that meet their aspirations. It also reinforces the bank’s dedication to offering the best facilities and products in the banking sector.

About Oman Arab Bank

Oman Arab Bank is one of the first banks to begin operations in the Sultanate, boasting a long history of achievements. Today, the bank operates a wide network of 65 branches and representative offices, along with an extensive network of 152 ATMs across the Sultanate. Oman Arab Bank provides a comprehensive range of banking products and services to its retail, corporate, and investment clients.

OAB Launches Initiative to Waive Debts of Struggling Borrowers

OAB Launches Initiative to Waive Debts of Struggling Borrowers

 

Muscat: In a move that reflects its commitment to social responsibility and support for the financial stability of the community, Oman Arab Bank (OAB) has launched a pioneering initiative to waive outstanding debts for a number of its distressed customers. This initiative is part of the bank’s ongoing efforts to promote economic development and alleviate financial burdens on individuals facing challenging economic circumstances.

Through this initiative, the bank aims to empower affected customers to regain financial stability and start anew with better opportunities for economic security. This step also reflects the bank’s vision of building a sustainable relationship with its customers, founded on trust and mutual support, contributing to economic and social growth in the Sultanate of Oman.

Commenting on the initiative, Sulaiman Al Harthi, CEO of OAB, stated: “At OAB, we believe in standing by our customers during difficult times. This initiative reflects our firm commitment to supporting the community and fostering sustainable development. Through this effort, we aim to ease the financial burdens of those most in need—individuals who have faced unforeseen circumstances that have affected their ability to repay. We emphasize the importance of solidarity and cooperation between financial institutions and society in fostering a more stable and equitable economic environment.”

This initiative aligns with the bank’s strategy to enhance financial sustainability by providing innovative solutions to support customers and ease their financial burdens. These solutions include loan restructuring, partial debt forgiveness, and installment deferrals during religious occasions, among other measures. Such efforts contribute to improving individuals’ quality of life and strengthening the local economy in alignment with Oman’s economic and social development goals.

Al Harthi added: “As a leading institution in Oman’s banking sector, OAB embraces a broad approach to social responsibility, encompassing all aspects of comprehensive and sustainable development. The bank is committed to engaging with the community and its customers through participation in events, forums, and exhibitions, as well as supporting NGOs, charitable organizations, volunteer work, and awareness campaigns.”

Since the launch of Oman Vision 2040, OAB has been actively aligning with its objectives by accelerating its transformation into a modern banking institution focused on digital services and enriching the customer experience. The bank has introduced a variety of innovative initiatives and programs to develop national talent and leadership, supporting career growth and fostering the success of entrepreneurs in self-employment and business ventures. Additionally, OAB has significantly expanded its initiatives to contribute to the advancement of healthcare and education services, as well as the overall development of the financial and banking sectors.

The CEO of OAB expressed his delight at the bank’s strong community recognition and the prestigious awards it has received in appreciation of its innovative and advanced services. He also highlighted the bank’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR), emphasizing its role as one of the leading institutions supporting various CSR programs that create a lasting impact on community development.

OAB is one of the leading banking institutions in the Sultanate of Oman. Since its establishment over five decades ago, the bank has achieved a series of milestones, keeping pace with the evolution of the banking sector both locally and internationally while actively contributing to sustainable economic development in the country.

CAPITAL INTELLIGENCE RAISES OMAN ARAB BANK’S LONG TERM FOREIGN CURRENCY RATING FROM “BB+” TO “BBB-”

CAPITAL INTELLIGENCE raises OMAN ARAB BANK’S LONG term

foreign currency rating from “BB+” to “BBB-”

 

 

19 March 2025: Muscat, Oman:  Oman Arab Bank (OAB) announced that the international credit rating agency, Capital Intelligence Rating (CI), has raised the Long-Term Foreign Currency Rating (LT FCR) and Short-Term Foreign Currency Rating (ST FCR) to “BBB-” and “A3” respectively, from “BB+” and “B”. The outlook for the LT FCR has been revised to Stable from Positive. CI has affirmed OAB’s Bank Standalone Rating (BSR) of ‘bb+’ with a Stable outlook, Core Financial Strength (CFS) rating of ‘bbb-’, and Extraordinary Support Level (ESL) of Moderate. The upgrade follows a similar action on Oman’s sovereign ratings.

 

Commenting on the report, Sulaiman Al Harthi, Chief Executive Office of Oman Arab Bank said, “This upgrade reflects OAB’s sound financial metrics and well-established franchise supplemented by the strengthening of Oman’s economic fundamentals and prudent fiscal management. It also considers the introduction of the new banking law earlier this year, which is expected to enhance the operating environment and support the digitisation within the banking sector”.

 

He added, “The affirmation of OAB’s Bank Standalone Rating (BSR) and Core Financial Strength (CFS) demonstrates OAB’s strong financial results in 2024, the continued support of our major institutional shareholders and the favourable deposit mix, with share of CASA funds contributing to more than half of total deposits in 2024. We have also had the loan-loss reserve coverage ratio reaching the highest level seen in five years. This demonstrates our strong franchise in both the conventional banking and the Islamic banking, via our fully owned subsidiary Alizz Islamic Bank, the second largest fully-fledged Islamic bank in Oman”.

OAB Celebrates Its Achievements and Strengthens Competitiveness by Offering the Best Services

OAB Celebrates Its Achievements and Strengthens Competitiveness by Offering the Best Services

Sulaiman Al Harthi: The Efficiency of Our Team is the Cornerstone of Success and Enhancing Customer Experiences

 

Muscat, 12 March 2025:

Oman Arab Bank (OAB) held its annual meeting, a yearly tradition celebrating the successes achieved through the innovative contributions of its team and employees. The event also served as a platform to prepare for a new year filled with achievements and to sustain the exceptional performance the bank has attained through continuous advancements in digital products, solutions, and customer service.

The celebration featured a variety of activities, including visual presentations highlighting the bank’s 2024 achievements, the “Takaful” Employee Support Fund, and the “Idikhar” program, which ensures employees’ financial well-being. The event also included an inspirational session, entertainment segments, competitions, and prize draws that brought joy to the attendees.

During the event, winners of the annual Excellence Employee Performance Awards and Long-Service Awards were honored.

Recognizing creativity and passion as key drivers of success within senior management—and as an incentive to overcome challenges—Mr. Rashad Al Zubair, Chairman of OAB, announced the launch of the Chairman’s Excellence Award. The award features six main categories: Customer Experience Excellence, Innovation Excellence for Creative Minds, Efficiency Excellence, Risk Management Excellence, Goal Achievement Excellence, and Growth Mindset Excellence.

In his speech during the event, Sulaiman Al Harthi, CEO of OAB, stated:

*”Through our hard work and commitment to our vision at OAB, we continue to overcome challenges and strengthen our leadership in the Omani banking sector. We firmly believe that the efficiency of our employees, our teamwork, and our shared dedication are the foundations for achieving greater success, enhancing performance, and delivering enriching experiences to our customers.

Today, we celebrate one of our most significant achievements, our fruitful collaboration in realizing strategic goals and driving long-term growth. We are making steady progress toward a promising future by investing in our human capital, developing their professional and personal capabilities, and fostering a culture of achievement.

In 2024, we accelerated this progress by expanding training resources to develop the skills and competencies of our employees. Our “Ruwad Al Arabi” leadership development program continues to gain both local and international recognition as one of the most successful human capital investment initiatives. The program targets 330 employees from the bank and its strategic partners.

Additionally, in 2024, we organized 374 training programs attended by over 10,000 employees, delivering nearly 25,000 training hours. OAB also remains committed to enhancing workplace appeal and providing the best possible services to its employees.”

Al Harthi added: “Our annual gathering is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements and strengthen the partnership among team members across various departments and levels. It serves as a platform to exchange creative ideas that will drive the bank’s success in the next phase.

Our ability to innovate competitive products, excel in operational processes and services, advance digital transformation, expand digital channels, enhance brand impact, and effectively manage and develop talent will be key to our continued growth.”

OAB is moving toward the future, strengthened by several key factors that reinforce its leadership in driving the evolution of the banking sector in Oman. These include its long-standing banking legacy, extensive accumulated expertise, exceptional ability to innovate and enhance the added value of its services, as well as its active contribution to national economic growth and a global presence spanning 28 countries.

OAB Collaborates with FSA to Launch Five Digital Trading Platforms, Enhancing Investment Opportunities

OAB Collaborates with FSA to Launch Five Digital Trading Platforms, Enhancing Investment Opportunities

Muscat: 11.3.2025

Reinforcing its leadership in innovation and advanced financial solutions, Oman Arab Bank (OAB) played a key role in collaboration with the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to launch five digital trading platforms for licensed brokerage firms on the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX).

These platforms are part of broader financial sustainability initiatives aimed at facilitating and stimulating investment, driving comprehensive digital transformation in the Omani capital market, and expanding investor access to local markets.

Through this strategic partnership, OAB continues to play a leading role in fostering financial sector growth and promoting investment in the capital market. Recently, the bank introduced a suite of advanced digital services, including collection solutions via virtual accounts, which enable clients to manage cash flows more efficiently by opening virtual accounts. These solutions enhance transparency, simplify the tracking of outstanding amounts for each project or product, and significantly streamline financial transactions among institutions operating in the financial sector.

Commenting on this initiative, Sulaiman Al Harthi, CEO of OAB, stated:
“The launch of digital trading platforms aligns with evolving regulatory requirements in modern financial markets, aiming to enhance service quality, ensure data protection, and promote transparency. At OAB, we are committed to leading the way in financial service development and introducing initiatives that build investor confidence. Our collection solutions via virtual accounts represent a major advancement in electronic connectivity between financial institutions, strengthening financial inclusion and improving the investment landscape in Oman.”

He further highlighted:
“These virtual solutions are among the most advanced of their kind, empowering clients to manage cash flows more effectively. They facilitate seamless transactions, including investment procedures and financial transfers for buying and selling securities, securely and effortlessly between OAB clients’ bank accounts and their investment portfolios on the MSX.”

Al Harthi also emphasized OAB’s commitment to expanding strategic partnerships to drive financial sector growth in line with Oman Vision 2040. The bank recently organized a dedicated training workshop for brokerage firms in collaboration with FSA, providing them with insights into virtual account collection solutions. This initiative enhances companies’ understanding of this innovative technology, accelerating its adoption across the financial sector, attracting new investor segments, increasing trading volumes on the MSX, and reinforcing oversight and investor protection.

As a distinguished banking institution in Oman, OAB remains at the forefront of financial innovation, delivering cutting-edge banking solutions while actively contributing to the growth of the financial sector. The bank has also been instrumental in supporting efforts to upgrade the MSX to an emerging market. Notably, OAB was among the first to introduce a liquidity provider service for its listed shares on the MSX through a strategic partnership with Ubhar Capital.

OAB Hosts Workshop for Brokerage Firms on Payment and Investor Account Management

OAB Hosts Workshop for Brokerage Firms on Payment and Investor Account Management

Muscat, 5 March 2025:

Oman Arab Bank (OAB) organized an exclusive workshop for brokerage firms on its digital virtual system for managing payments and investor accounts at the Muscat Stock Exchange. Recently launched as part of OAB’s suite of advanced financial services for businesses, this initiative reflects the bank’s continued investment in enhancing its digital services and staying at the forefront of global financial technology advancements.

The workshop aimed to enhance brokerage firms’ understanding of this advanced technology, which improves transaction efficiency, simplifies fund management, and ensures regulatory compliance with secure and transparent financial practices.

Held in the presence of the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the event attracted broad participation from leading brokerage firms across the Sultanate of Oman. The event aligned with the Authority’s initiative to introduce electronic trading.

During the workshop, OAB’s team delivered a comprehensive presentation on the technology’s key features, highlighting its role in automating fund management, enhancing security, and improving operational efficiency. The system streamlines settlement processes, minimizes human intervention, and enables real-time tracking of client funds through dedicated virtual accounts while ensuring financial integrity and transparency through transaction monitoring.

The workshop also featured insightful discussions on the importance of adopting digital innovations in financial services.

Sulaiman Al-Hinai, Chief Wholesale Banking Officer at OAB, stated:
“By organizing this exclusive workshop, OAB reaffirms its commitment to supporting the development of the financial sector and sharing its expertise with brokerage firms. Our advanced financial solutions are among the most sophisticated globally and align with the evolving regulatory requirements of the Omani financial sector.”

He explained that the workshop was designed to provide financial brokers with a comprehensive understanding of OAB’s virtual solution for fund management, account settlement automation, and seamless transaction execution through direct integration between client systems and the bank’s payment system.

He added that this technology represents a major advancement in saving time, effort, and operational costs in banking and financial transactions. It adopts the latest global, simplified, and highly efficient communication system for transmitting financial messages and transactions securely and seamlessly between clients and the bank. This innovation marks a significant leap in OAB’s business services, strengthening its support for private and public sector companies in achieving growth, success, and optimal operational efficiency.

The organization of this workshop aligns with the directives issued by the FSA and reflects the bank’s leadership in advancing the banking sector. It also supports the objectives of Oman’s Sustainability Program, which aims to develop the banking and financial sector, enhance the capital market, and strengthen their role in sustainable economic development.

OAB Showcases Its Innovative Programs to Support National Talent at the Sultan Qaboos University Career Fair

OAB Showcases Its Innovative Programs to Support National Talent at the Sultan Qaboos University Career Fair

Muscat, 1 March 2025:

Oman Arab Bank (OAB) successfully concluded its participation in the Sultan Qaboos University Career Fair, held from February 17 to 19, 2025.

OAB’s booth attracted a large number of young visitors who expressed keen interest in exploring its pioneering initiatives, career opportunities, and innovative programs, particularly the “Ruwad Al Arabi” program, which targets university and college graduates.

OAB’s participation in the exhibition aligns with its commitment to supporting national talent and contributing to Oman’s employment objectives for youth, in line with the country’s future vision.

Essam Al Busaidi, Chief Human Resources & Administration Officer at OAB, stated: “We were delighted to participate in the Sultan Qaboos University Career Fair, a platform that connects OAB with ambitious young graduates seeking promising career opportunities and actively contributing to sustainable development in Oman. This participation highlights the bank’s role as a leading national institution in developing Omani talent and paving the way for a future filled with success for young individuals aspiring to enter the job market.”

He added: “The high level of engagement from visitors with our initiatives reaffirms our success in delivering carefully designed programs that empower professionals in the banking sector. We provide training opportunities that enable graduates and young individuals to expand their knowledge, develop essential personal and professional skills, and enhance their competitiveness in the job market. OAB remains committed to paving the way and offering comprehensive support to help them achieve their future aspirations.”

OAB has established itself as a leading institution in driving the banking sector toward a more active role in providing employment and training opportunities through various programs and initiatives. One of the most notable is the “Ruwad Al Arabi” program, designed to provide graduates with top-tier training experience, preparing them to enter the job market at the highest standards.

Oman Arab Bank Launches the “#Ramadan_Goodness” Promotion for Visa Credit Card Holders

20% Instant Discounts on Groceries at “Lulu Hypermarket”
Oman Arab Bank Launches the “#Ramadan_Goodness” Promotion for Visa Credit Card Holders

Muscat, 26 February 2025:
In celebration of the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadan and its ongoing commitment to providing innovative offers that enhance customer experiences during this holy month, Oman Arab Bank has launched the exclusive “#Ramadan_Goodness” promotion for Visa credit cardholders, in collaboration with Lulu Hypermarket chain. This offer will be available on weekends (Friday and Saturday) from 21 February to 15 March 2025. During this period, bank customers holding Visa credit cards will enjoy an instant discount of 20% on food products, with a maximum discount of 5 Omani Riyals per transaction.

This new promotional offer provides a unique opportunity for the bank’s Visa credit cardholders to enjoy a discount on their Ramadan shopping needs, either at Lulu Hypermarket branches or through online shopping, making the shopping experience more convenient and affordable.

Commenting on the #Ramadan_Goodness campaign, Mr. Jumaa Al-Faliti, Deputy Head of Retail Banking, stated: “This offer has been crafted to provide tangible added value for our esteemed customers, in celebration of the forthcoming holy month of Ramadan. May Allah bestow goodness and blessings upon all. As food and fresh produce purchases rise during this season, we aimed to gift our customers up to 20% off their purchases at the renowned Lulu stores as a token of appreciation from the bank to all our valued customers.”

Oman Arab Bank continuously strives to meet its customers’ needs by offering exclusive promotions and multiple benefits during the holy month. These benefits ease financial burdens and reflect the bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting the local community by providing ideal opportunities to contribute to the welfare of Omani families.

Oman Arab Bank was one of the first banks to start operations in the Sultanate and boasts a long history of achievements that everyone is proud of. Today, the bank operates 54 branches, representative offices and 160 ATMs across the Sultanate. The bank also offers a wide range of banking products and services through its advanced mobile app, which allows customers to open new accounts and access many other services directly from their mobile phones.

Oman Arab Bank Gears Up to Launch a New Suite of Commercial Banking Services

With the Presence of Numerous Companies and Business Owners

Oman Arab Bank Gears Up to Launch a New Suite of Commercial Banking Services

Muscat, February 5, 2025:

As part of its continuous efforts to lead the banking sector, Oman Arab Bank is set to unveil a new suite of  banking services tailored for small and medium enterprises, corporate clients, and government entities. These services will include  advanced technologies such as the Corporate Mobile Banking App, Host-to-Host, SWIFTNet, and virtual accounts.

The launch will take place on February 9 at a special event organised by the bank, which will be attended by many clients from various sectors.

Designed with a strong emphasis on security and user-friendliness, the new services will allow clients to effortlessly manage their financial operations at any time and from any location. Corporate clients will gain complete oversight and efficient management of financial transactions.

By leveraging cutting-edge technology, these services are expected to significantly reduce businesses’ operational efforts, minimize human errors, and accelerate payment and financial settlement processes with unparalleled precision.