Banks in Oman

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Overview of Banks in Oman

As per Moody’s Investors Services, the approach of the banking system in Oman has turned from stable to negative. Moody's Investors Services believe that the creditworthiness of the banking system in Oman should evolve, and they expect that it will drastically improve in the next 12 to 18 months.

Another reason why the approach of Oman’s banking system seems negative is that real GDP growth is expected to decline. The real GDP growth in 2015 was 3.3%, and Moody expects the growth to decline in 2016 and 2017.

Overview of Banks in Oman

Structure of Banks in Oman

There are a total of 19 banks in Oman. The banking system can be divided into three particular sectors.

The first sector is the local commercial sector which most of the banks in Oman fall under.
The second sector is the foreign bank sector, where the branches of different foreign banks have opened offices in Oman.
The third and last one is a specialized sector that only two specialized banks lie under.

There are a total of 17 local commercial banks and foreign banks. And the local banking sector is controlled by the Central Bank of Oman, which regulates interest rates and issues bonds and notes.

In the year 2015, the total combined assets of the banks of Oman amounted to US $73 billion, which happened to be the smallest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

List of Top 10 Banks in Oman

Bank Muscat
Bank Dhofar
National Bank of Oman
Alizz Islamic Bank
Oman Arab Bank
Bank Nizwa
Ahli Bank
Bank Sohar
Beirut Oman Bank
HSBC Oman

Let’s look at each of these most prominent banks in detail –

#1. Bank Muscat:

The focus of this bank is on retail banking, treasury, investment banking, asset management, and private banking. It was established in 1982. The head-quarter is situated in Muscat. Around 3024 people work here. In the year 2020, the total assets of this bank were OMR 163.48 million. In the same year, this bank's revenue and net income were OMR 12.60 billion.

#2. Bank Dhofar:

It It was founded in 1992. The head-quarter of this bank is situated in Muscat. In the year 2020, the total assets of this bank were OMR 12.60 million. In the same year, the net income of this bank was OMR 163.4 billion. The focus of this bank is on retail banking, treasury, investment banking, and corporate banking. This bank manages around 58 branches of Bank Dhofar, ten Maisarah Islamic Banking branches, and 645 ATMs, 49 CDMs, and 5 FFMs

#3. National Bank of Oman:

It was established in 1972. The head-quarter of this bank is situated in Muscat. This bank is the first local bank of the Sultanate. Around 1500 people work here. In the year 2020, the total assets of this bank were OMR 3.77 billion. In the same year, the net income of this bank was OMR 18.15 million. The focus of this bank is on retail banking, commercial banking, funding center, and wholesale banking.

#4. Alizz Islamic Bank:

It was founded in the year 2012, just five years ago. The head-quarter of this bank is located in Ruwi. In the year 2019, the total assets of this bank were OMR 673.66 billion. In the same year, the operating income of this bank was OMR 10.0 million. It is an Islamic bank. And the focus of this bank is on retail banking, treasury, and corporate banking. It manages a network of seven branches in Oman.

#5. Oman Arab Bank:

The focus of this bank is on four segments – retail banking, support, Islamic banking, and unallocated functions. It was established in 1972. The head-quarter is situated in Al-Ghubra, Muscat. Around 1500 people work here. In the year 2016, the total assets of this bank were OMR 3.30 billion. In the same year, the total income of this bank was OMR 14.17 million.

#6. Bank Nizwa:

It was founded in the year 2012. The head-quarter of this bank is located in Muscat. Around 330 employees work here. In of this bank were OMR 1.25 billion. In the same year, the net income of this bank was OMR 11.07 million. The focus of this bank is on three segments – retail banking, corporate banking, and treasury & investment banking. The bank has a network of 11 branches across the Sultanate of Oman.

#7. Ahli Bank:

It was founded in the year 1983, around 34 years ago. The head-quarter of this Top bank in Oman is located in Muscat. Around 762 employees work here. In the year 2020, the total assets of this bank were OMR 2.82 billion. In the same year, the net income of this bank was OMR 23.97 million. The bank works in two segments – first in retail banking and then in corporate banking, treasury, and investments. The bank has a network of 20 branches across the Sultanate of Oman.

#8. Bank Sohar:

It was established in the year 2007, around ten years ago. Around 875 employees work here. The head-quarter of this bank is situated in Muscat. In the year 2020, the total assets of this bank were OMR 3.75 billion. In the same year, the total income of this bank was OMR 20.0 million. The focus of this bank is on retail banking, wholesale banking, government and project finance syndication, treasury, Islamic banking, and investments. It manages around 27 commercial banking branches and 5 Islamic banking branches.

#9. Beirut Oman Bank:

It is one of the top banks in Oman. It was established in the year 2006, around 11 years ago. It is a branch of the Bank of Beirut, Lebanon. It manages Muscat, Sohar, Ghubrah, and The Wave. It has employed around 150 people. In the year 2020, the total assets of this bank were US $14.14 billion. In the same year, the total income of this bank was US $ 227.0 million.

#10. HSBC Oman:

It is one of the oldest foreign banks. It was founded in the year 1948, around 69 years ago. The head-quarter of this bank is located in Seeb. Around 900 employees work here. In the year 2020, the total assets of this bank were OMR 2.48 billion. In the same year, the net income of this bank was OMR 8.21 million. The bank works in four segments – commercial banking, retail banking and wealth management, and global banking & markets.