The new branch named ‘Manama Souq branch’, is twelfth in the Bank’s existing network of branches across the Kingdom of Bahrain, and is located on Al-Khalifa Avenue close to Bab Al-Bahrain landmark, Ashraf’s and Kanoo Travel.
Ithmaar Bank is pushing ahead, with full force, towards the full implementation of an aggressive business expansion programme that has already seen the Bank expanding its network, improving its delivery channels and introducing new, customer-focused products and services.
The opening of the Manama Souq branch coincided with the advent of the holy month of Ramadan. The Manama Souq, located in the heart of the city, is one of Bahrain’s oldest marketplaces, with numerous traditional and modern shops that sell a wide variety of items for people from all income groups.
“The location of the new Ithmaar Bank branch close to the business is a great convenience,” said A. Rahim Abdulla Mohammed, an Ithmaar Bank customer. “Having a full-service retail bank with a 24-hour ATM service, just few paces from the shops, is a hassle-free and time efficient way of banking”.
The ATM at the branch, like other recently installed Ithmaar ATMs around Bahrain, accepts real-time cash deposit. Customers can deposit cash directly into their bank account at any time of the day or night, with instant balance updating. It does not require any envelopes and writing-in the amounts – just total convenience of depositing cash in an assortment of denominations.
“There has always been the need for a bank branch at this important location. It’s a true Ramadan gift for all of us from Ithmaar,” said another Ithmaar Bank customer, Khaled Abdulla Khalifa. “Apart from other products and services offered by the Bank, business banking and SME finance is of particular interest to me, as it is the lifeblood of my business.”
The buyers and sellers in Manama Souq consist of Bahrainis as well as expatriates from Asian and neighbouring Middle East and Gulf countries. The Manama Souq is an important part of Bahrain’s cultural heritage, frequented by tourists from all over the world who want to experience the traditional setting of the marketplace.
“The newest location in our growing network of branches was strategically selected to serve customers in an important business area with huge buying and selling activity,” said Ithmaar Bank Chief Executive and Member of the Board Mohammed Bucheerei.
“The new full-service branch offers the full range of retail banking products and services. I am pleased to announce that four more branches are scheduled to open later in the year at other key locations in the country,” he said.
“The opening of Ithmaar Bank’s Manama Souq branch underscores the Bank’s continuing commitment to remaining as close as possible to its customers and to delivering a convenient, secure and customer-friendly service,” Bucheerei added.