Two new branches launched at Airport Avenue in Muharraq and a VIP branch at Bahrain World Trade Centre

Manama, Bahrain, December 14, 2011: Bahraini retail and commercial banking institution, BMI Bank today announced the expansion of its local retail branch network with the launch of two new full-service branches, at Airport Avenue in Muharraq and Bahrain World Trade Centre. The branch at Airport Avenue, conveniently located within the Kingdom's former capital, was officially inaugurated by Yousif Hassan Yousif, Director - Banking Supervision Directorate, Central Bank of Bahrain along with the Bank's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jamal Al-Hazeem and attended by officials from the Bank, guests and members of the media.

Yousif Hassan Yousif, Director - Retail Banking Supervision Directorate, Central Bank of Bahrain said,

"BMI Bank is committed to ensuring customers are offered wider choice of banking products and services to address their evolving financial needs. We congratulate BMI Bank on the launch of their new full-service branch at Airport Avenue and will continue to extend our full support in their future endeavours."

Speaking at the inauguration of branch at Airport Avenue, Jamal Al-Hazeem, the CEO of BMI Bank said,

"Besides being one of our oldest towns, Muharraq is also the third largest city within Bahrain and with the launch of our latest branch here, we strengthen the Bank's presence taking the total number of branches we operate within the catchment area of Muharraq to three. Our Airport Avenue branch is one of the many strategic locations to be added to BMI Bank's growing network to leverage our relationship with existing and potential customers while offering them easy access to convenient banking.  

We remain committed to the Bahraini market and will continue to expand our local presence to make it easier and convenient for our customers to access our wide range of retail products and services while catering to their diverse financial requirements. We would like to sincerely thank the Central Bank of Bahrain and all our stakeholders for their continued support."

In addition to the Airport Avenue branch, BMI Bank launched a special VIP branch at Bahrain World Trade Centre (BWTC), located on the 16th floor and open Sunday to Thursday from 8 am until 3.30 pm. The BTWC branch will provide unparalleled service to its high net worth clientele offering a host of exclusive banking services, including private banking, investment Banking and other privileges in addition to retail banking.

The Airport Avenue branch is equipped with a 24-hour, easy to access, automated self-service banking centre. Customers can execute major banking functions any time of the day at their own convenience even after working hours, including cash deposit, payment of credit card bills using the ATM machine supported by a dedicated 24x7 telephone banking service. The branch is open to customers Sunday to Thursday from 7.30 am to 1.30 pm while the evening working hours for the Airport Avenue branch on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, is from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm.

The range of retail products and services on offer at the Airport Avenue branch will include its bouquet of Salaf loans, overdraft facilities, a diverse selection of la carte of credit cards including Diners Club cards, deposit products, savings accounts including the Ayadi Savings Scheme with a prize pool of USD 1.66 million, net banking, and remittance services amongst others.

-Ends-

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 offering a full range of retail and commercial banking services. BMI Bank operates in Bahrain through a network of 10 branches and 30 ATMs with net banking for easy access to services.

BMI Bank also operates an Offshore Bank in the Seychelles, a branch in Qatar and has a 21.33% shareholding in Gulf African Bank in Kenya. BMI Bank owns the Diners Club Services Bahrain W.L.L and operates the Diners Club cards franchise in Bahrain. BMI Bank's shareholders include some of the strongest and most respected financial institutions across the GCC, including BankMuscat.

BMI Bank currently offers its customers a range of retail products and services including savings and current accounts, Ayadi savings account, 8, credit cards including Diners Club and La Carte, a co-branded credit card in partnership with Geant Hypermarket Bahrain, consumer and vehicle loans, mortgages and fixed deposits. In addition to Retail Banking, BMI Bank offers full Premier Banking, Private Banking, Wholesale Banking, Islamic Banking 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 2011