Muscat, February 23, 2015

On its path towards banking excellence, Bank Sohar continues to focus on its most important asset; the customer, and how to redefine customer service in order to provide them with the best banking experience. In keeping with this strategy, the Retail Division in Bank Sohar recently organized a dedicated meeting for the Branch Managers, Bank's Retail Team and Senior Management from its capital area branches to discuss how they can further enhance the overall customer experience through the various current and potential products and services as well as the various touch points provided by the Bank.

The meeting was held at Grand Hyatt, Muscat under the guidance of Mr. Rashad Ali Al Musafir, Acting CEO, and was coordinated as well as attended by Mr. R. Narasimhan, DGM and Head of Retail Banking; Mr. Salim Khamis Al Maskeri, Senior AGM of Branches; and Mr. Khamis Masoud Al Rahbi, AGM of Branches. The meeting was attended by Bank Sohar Branch Managers, Senior Branch Managers, and the Retail Team from the Bank's Head Office. Also in attendance were Mr. Mazin Mahmood Al Raisi, AGM and Head of Marketing and Publicity; Mr. Redha Al Lawatia, Head of Liabilities, and Mr. Mansoor Al Shidani, Head of Quality Assurance.

Commenting on the meeting, Mr. Rashad Ali Al Musafir said, "An active commitment to constant improvements in customer service is strategically important for all institutions, especially so in the highly competitive marketplace of commercial banking in Oman.  From customers' prospective, the key factor that differentiates any bank from its competitors is the delivery of convenient and efficient banking experience. This is why we value the opportunity to sit together with each of our branch heads and listen to their individual valuable views and ideas. Taking their suggestion into consideration and addressing their concerns has greatly helped shape our path forward and allows us to take banking services to the next level."

The meeting commenced with the DGM Retail Banking giving an overview of international banking best practices in customer service, particularly in Retail client segment and their preferences. He also highlighted how customer service drives customer loyalty towards the bank and helps to convert a satisfied customer into an ambassador that canvasses new customers to the Bank. Retail Banking Product Head, Mr. Mathews John, then gave a presentation covering the highlights of an external market survey and feedback on possible areas of improvement. The branch heads were then addressed by Mr. Rashad Ali Al Musafir who emphasised that year 2015 will witness Bank Sohar continue to focus more on customer service while outlining the short and long term strategies and way forward.  

Mr. R. Narasimhan proceeded to invite the Branch Managers to provide their valuable input on how the Bank can differentiate itself in such a competitive market in terms of customer service as well as its products and services, processes and delivery times. As a result of the meeting, an action programme was drawn out for the Bank, with scheduled implementation of all tangible ideas.

"The secret to business success is directly related to the levels of service and satisfaction provided to customers and therefore the Bank has endeavoured to constantly create opportunities to communicate and personally interact with its valuable customers. We ensure that the kind of experience delivered attends to customer's financial requirements with complete dedication and passion in order to help them achieve their ultimate goal" added Mr. R. Narasimhan.

To learn more about Bank Sohar please visit the Bank's official website at www.banksohar.net. You can also find additional information by following the Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/excel.banksohar, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/banksoharexcel or join the conversation on Twitter @banksohar_excel. For this event's specific coverage and images, Instagram visitors can also look up #bs_events.

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© Press Release 2015