Delivering on its promise of banking excellence with a focus on increased efficiency and customer excellence, Bank Sohar has signed an agreement with Oman National Engineering and Investment Company (ONEIC) to facilitate e-payment to a wide range of third party service providers through Bank Sohar mobile application, bringing greater convenience to customers with transactions including utility payments, school and university fees, as well as PASI insurance dues.

Mr Ahmed Al Musalmi, CEO of Bank Sohar and Dr Rashid Mohammed Al Ghilani, CEO of ONEIC, signed their new partnership agreement on 21st October 2018 at the bank’s headquarters in Ruwi, Muscat.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr Ahmed Al Musalmi, said, “In its endeavour to be the most customer centric bank in Oman, Bank Sohar continues to established partnerships that contribute to its mission for banking excellence, in this case extending our success in digitization by collaborating with ONEIC to bring added convenience to customers’ transactions. The bank’s current strategy is heavily focussed on customer-centricity for both the retail and business segments in a robust commitment to raise the range, value, and quality of services available. Technology plays a pivotal role in modern banking and partnerships in-line with the growth of our e-channels comprise an important step as we work to further digitize the bank’s facilities”.

Established in 1978, ONEIC brings a lot of expertise and value on the table. The company has established a strong Utility Services Department dedicated to the management of bill production and the collection of receivables, now being enabled through Bank Sohar’s Mobile Banking app.

Dr Rashid Mohammed Al Ghailani, CEO of ONEIC, commented, “Our partnership with Bank Sohar echoes the vote of confidence we are receiving from leading organisations in multiple sectors. ONEIC is excited to see the new e-payment option in place as one spearheaded by an aspiring digital banking leader. We pride ourselves in the facilitation of seamless and secure transactions without any requirement for the bank’s customers to share their personal information to offer greater peace of mind. Bank Sohar will in-turn bridge the gap by receiving direct transfers from customer accounts as an organisation that champions digitisation in the delivery of added-value services which benefit local communities”.

The bank’s partnership with ONEIC comes to extend its existing e-channels, which encompass SMS and Internet Banking services, in addition to its mobile banking app for Android and iOS devices.

Mr Mujahid Said Al Zadjali, DGM of IT and Alternate Channels at Bank Sohar, said, “Our new facility allow customers to manage their finances with greater ease and from a single tailor-made platform that is demonstrative of the bank’s commitment to innovation and growth in digital leadership. This app-based development has focussed on providing a smooth end user experience as we facilitate payment for a wide range and growing number of third parties in Oman including water and electricity bills of various service providers, as well as school and college tuition fees. Removing the time consuming paper-based processes will no-doubt prove to be of great use and convenience to our customer base nationwide”.

Partnering with ONEIC builds on Banks Sohar’s strong profile of digitation initiatives, which recently saw the successful launch of Oman’s banking sector first eco-friendly interactive e-statements. All of these initiatives fall under a larger campaign to enhance service efficiency across all delivery channels in line with the changing modern lifestyles of customers. The campaign has already seen proactive initiatives such as extended working hours on weekday evenings and weekends at Oman Avenues Mall in Muscat, a ‘5-minute promise’ for opening new accounts nationwide, approval on personal and housing loan applications within 24 and 72 hours respectively, and issuance of new retail credit cards within 24 hours with more exciting initiatives in the pipeline.

For more information on Bank Sohar visit www.soharinternational.com or call 24730000. You can also follow the Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sohar.intl, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/sohar_intl or join the conversation on Twitter @sohar_intl.