In line with the Bank’s vision “To serve you better, everyday” and commitment to providing the best services and facilities to all segments of customers, Bank Muscat, the leading financial service provider in the Sultanate of Oman, celebrated the inauguration of Sohar mega branch in Al Batinah North Governorate. The new branch is inclusive of exceptional features and a full suite of banking services and facilities catered to meet the needs of Bank Muscat’s individual and corporate customers. The new branch was inaugurated under the patronage of His Excellency Mohammed bin Suleiman Al Kindi, Governor of Al Batinah North, and in the presence of Sheikh Waleed bin Khamis Al Hashar, the CEO of Bank Muscat, and a number of executives and officials from the public and private sectors.
During the inauguration ceremony, all attendees were taken through an introductory tour during which, they were introduced to the range of banking service and facilities provided to customers at the branch. They were also introduced to the sections and modern features of the new branch which reflect the Bank’s dedication to keeping pace with the current and future developments in the Sultanate’s banking sector. The Sohar mega branch represents a typical example underscoring the Bank’s commitment to implementing strategic plans set to enhance financial inclusion and extend the Bank’s network of branches, aiming to fortify customers’ banking experience and contribute to the prosperity of the economic landscape in the country.
Considering that the Bank’s branches represent the main point of contact with customers from across the Sultanate, Bank Muscat ensured that the new branch is equipped with qualified and experienced staff servicing customers. The new branch is built in a distinctive and spacious area alongside the main street in Sohar, and it features modern designs, safety standards, and infrastructure aiming to better serve its customers from individuals (enabled for disabled customers as well) and corporates. The mega branch provides a comprehensive suite of services and products provided through desks customized to serve customers applying for home financing “Baituna” and “Sayyarati” financing, and other desks for “Najahi” Business Banking, “Asalah” Priority Banking, and Private Banking & Wealth Management customers.
Speaking on the inauguration of the new branch, Abdulnasir Al Raisi, General Manager, Personal Banking, Bank Muscat, said:” Sohar mega branch is a typical and unprecedented example of the strategic steps taken by the Bank to enhance its branch network across the country. The new branch is designed with the best business safety and security standards and is equipped with the latest technologies that keep pace with the recent developments to ensure that all segments of customers are easily served according to their diverse needs.”
Abdulnasir Al Raisi added: “Bank Muscat will continue implementing its strategy of widening its branch network and embracing innovation throughout the course of business practices in commitment to its vision “To serve you better, everyday.” I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bank Muscat’s staff for their dedication to work and embracement of the Bank’s vision when serving its customers and contributing to enriching their banking experience. I would like to thank all our customers for their trust and patronage to the Bank”
On the online banking services, Abdulnasir Al Raisi added that the Bank’s network of branches distributed across the Sultanate features modern technologies enabling fast and efficient transaction processing. The Bank is also pioneering in implementing advanced technologies and digital systems with high security standards for transaction processing, indicating that the field of information technology plays a pivotal role in developing the manner businesses are run, which results in the Bank’s customers and referrals enjoying an enhanced and unique banking experience. Hence, Al Raisi pointed out, the new branch is equipped with self-service machines including ATMs, CDMs, multi-use machines, account statement printers run by a team of experts in the field.
Adding to the various banking services available at the branches distributed across the Sultanate, Al Raisi explained that Bank Muscat’s Internet Banking and Mobile Banking platforms have become a primary choice for over 1.8 million users of these channels to initiate transactions and avail the offerings provided to them. Furthermore, the Bank has over 850 ATMs, CDMs, and multi-use machines distributed across the Sultanate and that customers may also use to complete their transactions. Bank Muscat continues to develop its digital and online platforms to keep pace with the increasing number of users and to ensure a strategic implementation of innovative and better customer-serving channels in line with the Bank’s vision and the digital transformation perception within Oman vision 2040.
Taya Bait Sabeea, Deputy General Manager, Interior Regions, Bank Muscat, highlighted that the Sultanate’s Governorates are highly populated and they witness great development and growth in many commercial sectors. Likewise, North Batinah is characterized by a large population density and commercial and economic growth. Hence, Bank Muscat has taken proactive steps to keep pace with these developments in the Governorate through expanding its network of branches currently reaching 14 branches to ensure customers’ easy and fast access to various services. Considering that it is close to multiple governmental institutions and the free zone area, the Bank takes pride in the number of branches in Sohar counting 4 branches, backed with dedicated teams to introduce customers to the Bank’s various services and solutions.
It is worth noting that Bank Muscat has recently inaugurated multiple branches where customers are serviced with a full range of banking services and products. The newly inaugurated branches are in Al Hail, Al Amerat, and Al Khoudh 6. The Bank has also celebrated the opening of several Asalah centers and relocation of some branches equipped with modern designs and features. Hence, the Bank today represents the first choice of over 2.5 million customers who have been enjoying the services offered to them. Bank Muscat takes immense pride in its network of branches reaching a total of 181 branches. Of these branches, 5 branches are dedicated to corporate customers, 27 branches are dedicated for Meethaq’s Islamic Banking customers, and over 850 ATMs and CDMs are available across the Sultanate.