Manama, Bahrain, April 16th, 2013: Bahraini retail and commercial banking institution, BMI Bank today unveiled its latest service offering, catering to the affluent individual looking to receive personalized attention and tailored financial solutions from their banking partner. Prestige, the Bank's premier service proposition was launched at a dinner held at the Capital Club - Bahrain's premier private business club at the Bahrain Financial Harbor and was attended by senior officials of the Bank along with VIPs and exclusive guests. As a ticket to a world of unparalleled benefits and exclusive treatment, Prestige has been launched to cater to a fast-growing customer segment with benefits including personalized attention and lounges at the Bank's major branches.

Rolling out the service Jamal Al-Hazeem, Chief Executive Officer of BMI Bank said:

"We, at BMI Bank are pleased to introduce yet another initiative that will truly deliver on the premier banking experience, further complementing our service offering aimed to meet our clients' finest needs and lifestyle requirements. As the size and spending power of affluent consumers continue to grow along with the demand for premium service, we are glad to be able to expand our suite of deliverables to accommodate an increasingly sophisticated generation of customers, who expect more from their Bank. Backed by a team of well-trained relationship managers, along with an experienced and qualified team of service and product experts, Prestige will offer customers exclusive rates on term deposits and on our range of Salaf loans in addition to a higher per-day cash withdrawal and point of sale limit on their debit cards.

In essence it is Priority Banking at its very finest. As part of the Bank's strategy to constantly strengthen its position within the local market, this new initiative is a further reflection to our long term commitment to develop services and improve the lifestyle of our valued customers."

Benefits with Prestige include a dedicated relationship manager and service at the Bank's lounges within its branches, preferential tariffs, an exclusive signing-on-gift offering customers special hotel and dining benefits as well as discounted pricing on assets, preferential term deposit rates, fast track service, financial planning assistance, exclusive invites to special social events and a substantially increased cash withdrawal limit per day to name a few. For further details on all the current promotions and on other products and services including the terms and conditions, please visit www.bmibank.com.bh, any of the BMI Bank branches or alternatively call 17508080

About BMI Bank B.S.C. (c)
Bahraini retail and commercial banking institution, BMI Bank is a retail bank, registered in Bahrain and regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain. The Bank offers its customers a complete range of innovative and unique financial products and services through its extended network of strategically located branches and ATMs. The Bank's multi-award winning eChannels including its corporate website www.bmibank.com.bh have been honored with various prestigious awards over the past few years helping in consolidating both its position as well as perception within the country as a key retail Bank. The Bank posted a profit of USD 1.3 million for the year ended 31st December 2012, marking its sixth straight quarter of profit as well as its full-year return to profitability after a period of five years. The Bank maintains an excellent Capital Adequacy Ratio of over 18% with very strong liquidity as reported during the year ended 2012.      

BMI Bank operates an international branch in Qatar, owns and operates the Diners Club cards franchise in Bahrain, has a 21.33% shareholding in Gulf African Bank - Kenya, and has an equal stake in an Offshore Bank in the Seychelles (a joint venture with Nouvobanq). BMI Bank's shareholders include some of the strongest and most respected financial institutions across the GCC, including BankMuscat (SAOG) the flagship financial institution in the Sultanate of Oman.  With assets worth over USD 18 billion, BankMuscat (SAOG) is the leading financial services provider in Oman with a strong presence in Corporate Banking, Retail Banking, Investment Banking, Treasury, Private Banking and Asset Management. BankMuscat has the largest network of 134 branches, 409 ATM, 141 CDM's and 4500 POS terminals in Oman.

BMI Bank currently offers its local customers a range of retail products and services including savings and current accounts, a USD 1.8 million prize-winning Ayadi savings account, Visa gold and classic credit cards, a Diners Club credit card and a La Carte, a co-branded Visa credit card in partnership with Geant Hypermarket Bahrain. A newly introduced Platinum credit card offers customers the advantage of earning miles on everyday purchases that can be directly redeemed towards Gulf Air's Falconflyer program (FFPas well as a complimentary Falconflyer Silver membership. The Bank also offers customers fixed deposits, the Salaf range of personal, auto and mortgage loans and a new phone banking service that enables its customers to carry out most of their regular banking transactions in a safe and secure environment using their phones. The Bank has a strategic and exclusive service agreement with CrediMax to utilize their Point of Sales (POS) machines as well as payment gateways to accept and authorize the Bank's Diners Club cards thereby giving the brand stronger acceptance across the country. In addition to its secure credit card online repayment channel that enables customers of the Bank to pay their credit card bill online using any benefit enabled debit card, customers can also deposit real-time cash into their various accounts with the Bank using special cash deposit ATMs located at the self-service area within the Bank's branches without the need to be committed to the Bank's working hours.

In line with its ongoing commitment towards building a stronger CSR program and giving back to the community, BMI Bank has donated over BD 80,000 in 2012 towards various local charities including annual commitments to the Al Sanabel Orphans Care Center, Royal Charity Organization, American Mission Hospital's (AMH) Community Outreach Program, the Island Classic Charity Golf Tournament and Think Pink  

Bahrain, Bahrain Red Crescent Society, Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation, Al Noor Charity Welfare and the Children & Mother's Welfare Society amongst others.

In addition to Retail Banking BMI Bank also offers Wholesale, SME, Private and Islamic Banking as well as Financial Institutions Group (FIG) and Treasury services.

For further information, please contact:
Gordon Andrade; Head, Corporate Communications
BMI Bank - Bahrain
E-mail: gordon.andrade@bmibank.com
Cell: +97339782225

© Press Release 2013