16th July, 2013, Manama, Bahrain

Bahraini retail and commercial banking institution, BMI Bank today recently announced the launch of a new service to help enhance its customers experience when interacting with the Bank. mBanking, the Bank's new mobile banking service, will enable customers to carry out most of their regular banking transactions in a convenient, safe and secure environment simply using their smartphones.

Customers logging into the service will be able to view real-time balances in their various accounts in a single screen and through the use of a simple scroll-through function review the various sub menus to check their BMI Bank credit card balances, pay their credit card and phone bills as well as transfer funds in addition to other supplementary features. In line with the Bank's commitment to simplify its banking channels, customers can access mBanking using their existing eBanking user name and password without the need to register separately for the service.

Announcing the launch, Jamal Al-Hazeem, Chief Executive Officer of BMI Bank said:

"We, at BMI Bank understand that our customers are increasingly very tech-savvy and astute when it comes to the latest enhancements and advancements in technology aimed at simplifying their lives and are delighted to embrace mobile banking as the latest entry into our portfolio of electronic services. Through our latest attempt to simplify banking whilst enhancing functionality, we are confident that this innovation will revolutionize banking payment systems by literally bringing banking services to the customers' finger tips within the comfort of their homes or offices. In addition to key services like fund transfers and bill inquiries, customers will also be able to view real-time balances and transaction history on their accounts, credit cards and loans with the Bank.

As mobile phones have become an integral part of our daily lives, being able to connect with anyone whenever and wherever is no longer an issue. The 24-hour a day access will help our customers keep up with their finances and has the convenience to fit into their busy lifestyle anywhere at any time. BMI Bank has always been at the forefront of embracing and rolling out the latest technology aimed at providing customers with a secure and safe means to facilitate their day to day financial requirements and will continue to invest in technology to enable the Bank and Brand to consistently deliver on its creed of being better, together."

The service will be available 24 hours daily, including weekends and public holidays. BMI Bank customers can simply visit https://ebanking.bmibank.com or www.bmibank.com.bh via their web-enabled mobile phones to access the mobile banking service. All they need is their eBanking user name and password prior to using this service. Upon successful login, the system will show the menu options available to the customer.

-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. 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 for the first time in the last 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 regular savings and current accounts, Visa gold and classic credit cards, a Diners Club credit card and 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. During 2013, the Bank enhanced its flagship savings scheme "Ayadi" with the introduction of an increased prize pool of USD 1.8 million, 4 Diyar Homes Villas as Grand Ayadi Prizes as well as a new "Ayadi for Students" account exclusively for students with 24 prizes to be awarded during the year. 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. BMI Bank also recently unveiled "Prestige" its premier service proposition, catering to the affluent individual looking to receive personalized attention and tailored financial solutions from their banking partner.

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