Ithmaar Bank revises branch, office timings

TDT | Manama

Ithmaar Bank, a Bahrain-based Islamic retail bank, yesterday said it revised branch and office timings and has taken additional precautionary measures to help contain the Coronavirus (COVID-19) virus.

Starting 24 March 2020, all Ithmaar branches are operating from 8 to 1 pm and its head office from 8:30 to 2:30 pm only. Besides, the bank closed its Galali and Salmabad branches on Saturday, which will continue like that until further notice.

Earlier last week, Ithmaar Bank closed Budaiya and Manama Souq branches. All 42 ATMs continue to operate. As part of its public awareness campaign, the Bank is urging customers to bank online as almost all Ithmaar Bank transactions can be completed online.

The bank, already following MOH recommended sanitation protocols, also started limiting the number of customers present in a branch at any given time and providing appropriate waiting arrangements to ensure customers are seated at least a meter from one another. “These are challenging times for all of us,” said Ithmaar Bank Chief Executive Officer, Ahmed Abdul Rahim.

“However, if we all do our part, we can collectively overcome even the greatest of challenges,” he said. “This is a responsibility we have always taken very seriously, and we remain as committed as ever to playing a real and meaningful role in the community,” added Abdul Rahim assuring that it is closely following all relevant directives, from both the MOH and the CBB.

Ithmaar Bank also initiated its own public awareness campaign, including sending out SMS messages to customers and reposting MOH public awareness messages on the bank’s social media platforms.

In 2019, Ithmaar Bank launched a customer-centric chat service on the WhatsApp Business social media platform to help further improve its customers’ banking experience.

Customers can message Ithmaar Bank Call Centre on 13303030 to request information through WhatsApp about products and services, as well as make general inquiries like Thimaar draw dates and winners list, as well as ongoing promotions and campaigns.