Bank Nizwa launches ‘branch-on-wheels’ mobile financial unit

Oman's Bank Nizwa has introduced its "branch-on-wheels," a mobile financial unit, in an effort to share Shariah-compliant banking with more customers. 

With a goal of introducing the product line offered by an Islamic bank, the mobile unit will travel throughout Oman providing a variety of products and services over the next six months. Some services offered by the mobile unit include initiating new accounts, activating debit cards, receiving account balances and statements and depositing cash and checks.

The mobile unit will travel from Muscat to Al Dakhiliyah, Al Sharqiya, Dhofar, Al Batinah and Al Buraimi. The team within the unit will also have consultations with customers to educate them on how to lead financially secure lives.

“The introduction of our first branch-on-wheels is part and parcel of our strategy to deliver greater convenience and accessibility to existing and potential customers,” Bank Nizwa CEO Jamil El Jaroudi said. “We strongly believe that the traditional teller counter experience is a trend that is changing fast; therefore, we are progressively offering unique and innovative solutions. Most importantly, we are continuing our efforts to raise awareness on Islamic banking and bring it to the doorsteps of our growing customer base across the sultanate.”

The mobile unit is just part of Bank Nizwa’s product line expansion of accessible banking solutions. The financial entity also provides an exclusive mobile banking app and Dial My Balance service. 

“Our main objective in launching the Bank Nizwa Truck is to be more mobile and offer our products and services to communities across the sultanate,” Asad Batla, head of consumer banking at Bank Nizwa, said. “Our customers regularly access banking services through branch visits, online banking (and) mobile banking but now they are about to experience high tech on wheels. Our team of experts on the road offers financial consultations on how they can benefit from this growing industry in their day-to-day lives.”

“In addition to the customer-related benefits, the new service will help us better understand market needs and demands for future branch locations and services,” Batla said.