Oman Arab Bank

What Oman Arab Bank does

Oman Arab Bank S.A.O.G. (OAB) is a Sultanate of Oman-incorporated joint stock commercial bank established in 1984 following the acquisition of Arab Bank's Omani branches, listed on the Muscat Stock Exchange under ticker OAB. The bank operates one of Oman's largest physical distribution networks — 65+ branches plus 123+ ATMs, ITMs, and cash deposit machines — and serves retail, corporate, SME, high-net-worth, and Islamic banking segments through dedicated sub-brands (Elite, Advantage, Tumouhi, Alizz Islamic).

The product portfolio spans interest-bearing assets (Al Dar home loans, Markabati auto loans, personal loans, project finance, trade finance), deposit and savings products (current, fixed deposit, Hasaad prize-linked savings, multiple youth/segment variants), cards (credit, debit, prepaid, corporate, the first-in-Oman Visa Infinite Privilege Metal), and wealth management (Elite priority banking). Digital channels comprise OAB Online for personal and corporate internet banking, a mobile app, SoftPOS merchant payments, iSend international remittances to 50+ countries, and five digital trading platforms for Muscat Stock Exchange brokers launched with the Financial Services Authority. The bank is majority-owned by Oman International Development and Investment Company (Ominvest, 51%) with Arab Bank PLC holding 49%, providing access to Arab Bank Group's 600+ branches across five continents.

Revenue is generated primarily through net interest income on lending, fee and commission income across cards, trade finance, remittances, and wealth management, plus treasury and capital markets activity (including a US$400 million AT1 bond listed on the London Stock Exchange in June 2026). The bank reported OMR 34.3 million in 2025 net profit, ranks 7th among MSX-listed Omani banks, and carries a BBB- foreign currency credit rating from Capital Intelligence upgraded in March 2025. Strategic activity in 2025-2026 — including a OMR 50 million rights issue, AT1 issuance, new product launches, SME ecosystem expansion, and digital partnerships with Thawani, AFS, Oman Housing Bank, and EVO — signals a deliberate capital and capability buildout aligned with Oman Vision 2040.

Name

Oman Arab Bank

Legal name

Oman Arab Bank S.A.O.G.

Website

https://oman-arabbank.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Oman Arab Bank is an Omani commercial bank established in 1984, majority-owned by Ominvest (51%) with Arab Bank PLC (49%), serving retail, corporate, SME, HNWI, and Islamic banking customers through 65+ branches, 123+ ATMs, and digital channels across the Sultanate of Oman.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Banking

NAICS

Commercial Banking (522110), Depository Credit Intermediation (5221), Credit Card Issuing (52221), Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (522)

SIC

State Commercial Banks (6022), Personal Credit Institutions (6141)

akta.pro primary industry

Islamic SME & Commercial Banking (FSABAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Islamic Deposit & Account Products (Current/Savings/Investment Accounts) (FSABAGAI), Shariah-compliant Financing Products (Murabaha, Ijara, Tawarruq, Istisna, Salam) (FSABAGAH), Islamic Transaction Banking (Cash Management & Treasury Services) (FSABAGAF)

Keywords

• Retail banking services
• Corporate banking finance
• Islamic banking products
• SME lending services
• Digital payment solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Ruwi

HQ country

Oman

HQ region

Middle East

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Interest Income: Primary revenue stream from interest earned on loans including home loans (Al Dar), car loans (Markabati), personal loans, and corporate lending. The bank extends credit to retail and corporate customers generating interest income as the core banking revenue driver.
2. Fee and Commission Income: Transaction fees, service charges, credit card fees, ATM withdrawal fees, account maintenance charges, and trade finance fees. This includes international remittance fees (iSend service) and digital banking transaction fees.
3. Wealth Management and Premium Banking: Revenue from Elite priority banking services including relationship management fees, premium card issuance fees (Visa Infinite Privilege Metal Credit Card), and preferential product pricing.
4. Corporate and Investment Banking: Fees from project finance, trade finance, treasury services, and cash management solutions for corporate clients.
5. Capital Markets Operations: Revenue from capital market activities including bond issuances and listing services. The bank issued a $400 million AT1 bond listed on London Stock Exchange.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Oman Arab Bank is a full-service commercial bank providing retail/personal banking (accounts, consumer loans, cards, digital banking), corporate and project finance, trade finance, treasury and cash management services, SME banking under the Tumouhi platform, premium priority banking under the Elite program, and Sharia-compliant banking through the Alizz Islamic brand. Revenue is generated primarily through interest income from lending, supplemented by transaction fees, service charges, and wealth management fees across the bank's 65+ branches and digital channels in Oman.

Product overview

Oman Arab Bank (OAB) is a full-service financial institution in the Sultanate of Oman offering a unified but multi-brand product portfolio spanning retail, premium, SME, corporate, and Islamic banking. Its retail banking suite is anchored by OAB Online (personal and corporate internet banking) and Mobile Banking apps, supplemented by SoftPOS for mobile merchant payments, ITM/ATM self-service infrastructure, iSend international remittances, IBAN generation tools, and the Tawasul complaints channel. Deposit products include the Elite premium program (with a free-for-life Visa Infinite Privilege Metal Credit Card), the Advantage retail package, the Hasaad prize-linked savings scheme, and multiple savings/current account variants. Lending products cover Al Dar Home Loans, Markabati Auto Loans, Personal Loans, and Travel Loans. Card products include Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Prepaid Cards, and Corporate Cards, supported by the OAB Rewards loyalty program. The SME segment is served through the Tumouhi platform — combining financing solutions with training, mentoring, and capacity-building programs — while Alizz Islamic provides Sharia-compliant banking products under a separate brand. Corporate banking encompasses Project Finance, Trade Finance, Treasury Services, and Cash Management, complemented by digital trading platforms and Direct Debit. OAB's corporate card and merchant services include SoftPOS and Thawani QR-code payment integration. The bank also accesses capital markets via its US$400 million AT1 bond listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Alizz Islamic: Islamic banking products and services offered by Oman Arab Bank
• Elite
• Tumouhi
• Advantage

Products and services

• Elite Priority Banking Premium priority banking service for high net worth individuals offering dedicated relationship managers, Elite service centers, free-for-life Visa Infinite Privilege Metal Credit Card, unlimited airport lounge access, personal concierge, and preferential pricing on deposits and loans.
• Advantage Retail Banking

Quantifiable outcome

• AT1 bond oversubscribed 2.75x with $1.1 billion orderbook, demonstrating strong investor confidence
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, minor and core.

• Oman AirstrategicGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2026Strategic partnership to launch exclusive Khareef cashback campaign offering OAB Credit Card holders 20% cashback on domestic flights to and from Dhofar during Khareef season. The partnership combines two trusted national brands to enhance customer travel experiences and support domestic tourism.
• EVO (Electrical Vehicle One)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2025Strategic partnership to launch electric vehicle charging infrastructure at OAB locations. Through this collaboration, OAB successfully installed its first EV charging station, reflecting the bank's commitment to sustainability and innovation.
• Arab Financial Services (AFS)strategicTechnology or Integration · 29 July 2025Significant expansion of strategic partnership for digital payment solutions. AFS, as the Middle East and Africa's premier digital payment solutions provider and fintech enabler, continues to support OAB's digital transformation and payment infrastructure.
• United Finance CompanystrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025MoU signed to advance customer-centric financial solutions through adoption of the e-Mandate facility. The collaboration aims to simplify financial processes and enable secure, automated payment solutions for recurring payments, empowering customers with greater control and convenience.
• Muscat FinancestrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025MoU to advance digital financial solutions through implementation and promotion of the e-Mandate facility. The partnership supports the evolving financial landscape in Oman by enabling more seamless, secure, and efficient payment mechanisms.
• Oman Housing BankstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Strategic partnership to provide liquidity under the Iskan program to accelerate housing finance for Omani citizens. The collaboration supports social empowerment and enhances quality of life by facilitating access to home financing.
• Oman Flour MillsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Strategic collaboration to promote Omani brands and raise awareness on local product excellence. Partnership aligns with Oman Vision 2040 objectives of supporting local industries and national economic development.
• TalabatminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Exclusive weekend discount campaign for OAB Visa credit card holders on Talabat food delivery orders. Partnership rewards customers with lifestyle benefits through one of the region's leading food delivery platforms.
• SME Development AuthoritystrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration for SME Development Training Roadshow, conducted in partnership with SME Development Authority and Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The nationwide roadshow provides training workshops for SMEs across Oman.
• Oman Chamber of Commerce and IndustrystrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in SME Development Training Roadshow alongside SME Development Authority. The collaboration supports the Tumouhi initiative by providing training venues and industry expertise for SME capacity building programs.
• Oman SME AcademystrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Training partner for Tumouhi program, responsible for designing and delivering training content. The academy ensures training addresses participants' needs and supports achievement of the program's objectives for SME development.
• Barr Al Jissah (Shangri-La)strategicGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 February 2018Long-term partnership combining OAB's Elite Banking Program with Barr Al Jissah's luxury lifestyle offerings. Benefits include preferential home financing rates, Elite banking accounts for property owners, and exclusive discounts on resort amenities and services.
• Thawani TechnologiescoreTechnology or Integration · 13 February 2018OAB functions as the banking partner for the Thawani e-payment platform, an innovative QR code-based digital payment solution. The bank acts as banking consultant to ensure compliance with Central Bank of Oman regulations, risk management, and anti-money laundering standards. The partnership enabled the launch of Oman's first e-payment app facilitating contactless transactions between merchants and consumers.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Ahli Bank Oman: Omani commercial bank offering retail, corporate, and treasury services. Direct domestic peer to OAB with similar product breadth and customer segments.
• Sohar International Bank: Mid-sized Omani commercial bank serving retail, SME, and corporate clients with a strong Sohar-region franchise. Comparable to OAB in segment coverage and domestic focus.
• Bank Muscat: Largest conventional commercial bank in Oman, offering retail, corporate, Islamic (Meethaq), and investment banking. Directly comparable to OAB across all major product lines in the same Omani market, with materially larger scale.
• National Bank of Oman: Top-tier Omani commercial bank providing retail, corporate, treasury, and trade finance services. Direct competitor to OAB in the same domestic market with overlapping product suite and branch network.
• Bank Dhofar: Omani full-service commercial bank with retail, corporate, and investment banking offerings. Closely comparable to OAB in scale, segment mix, and Omani market focus.

Broad incumbents

• Qatar National Bank: Largest MENA banking group with regional commercial, corporate, and Islamic banking franchises. Comparable at the level of operating model, product breadth, and capital markets activity (including AT1 issuance).
• Ahli United Bank (Kuwait): GCC-headquartered conventional and Islamic banking group with retail and corporate offerings across multiple markets. Useful peer for benchmarking operating model and Islamic banking positioning relative to OAB.
• First Abu Dhabi Bank: UAE-headquartered regional banking incumbent with retail, corporate, treasury, and investment banking. Comparable in scale, capital markets issuance capability, and digital transformation posture.
• Arab Bank PLC: Pan-Arab commercial bank holding a 49% strategic stake in OAB and providing access to its global network. Provides strategic, capital, and operational linkage to OAB and operates a broadly comparable product suite across MENA.

Emerging players

• Bank Nizwa: Oman's leading pure-play Islamic bank, currently acquiring OAB's Alizz Islamic franchise. Relevant peer given the corporate transaction and overlapping Islamic banking product lines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Oman_Arab_Bank
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@omanarabbankoab
• Facebookm.facebook.com/OmanArabBank
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/omanarabbank
• Instagraminstagram.com/oman_arab_bank

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments4 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Oman Arab Bank