MANAMA, BAHRAIN – 24 March 2020 – Ithmaar Bank, a Bahrain-based Islamic retail bank that operates one of the largest retail banking networks in the Kingdom, today (ed note: 240320) announced revised branch and office timings, as well as additional precautions to help contain the Coronavirus (COVID-19) virus.
Ithmaar Bank, which is committed to following Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) and Ministry of Health (MOH) directives and to doing its part to helping contain the virus, said that, from Tuesday 24 March, all branches will operate from 8 to 1pm and the Head Office from 8:30 to 2:30pm only. The Bank also said that, from Saturday 28 March, the Galali and Salmabad branches will be closed until further notice. Earlier last week, Ithmaar Bank closed its Budaiya and Manama Souq branches. All 42 ATMS will continue to operate as normal.
As part of its own public awareness campaign, the Bank had earlier urged customers to bank online to help contain the global outbreak, and stressed that almost all Ithmaar Bank transactions can be completed online, without ever having to visit a branch.
The Bank, which was already following all MOH recommended sanitation protocols, has 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.
“As a pioneering Islamic retail bank, Ithmaar Bank recognises the important role we must play in the community,” said Abdul Rahim. “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,” he said.
Ithmaar Bank has, from the beginning of the outbreak, followed closely all relevant directives, from both the MOH and the CBB. The Bank continues to monitor the situation closely and follow all applicable recommendations.
Ithmaar Bank also initiated its own public awareness campaign, including sending out SMS messages to its customers and reposting MOH public awareness messages on the Bank’s own social media platforms. The Bank continues to encourage customers to bank online, rather than visiting the branches, to help contain the COVID-19 virus.
Over the years, Ithmaar Bank invested tremendous time, money and effort on developing the Bank’s digital infrastructure and on implementing far-reaching, bank-wide digital initiatives. As a result, almost all Ithmaar Bank transactions can now be completed online, without ever having to visit a branch.
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. As a result, customers can message the Ithmaar Bank Call Centre number 13303030 to request information through WhatsApp about Ithmaar Bank products and services, as well as make general inquiries like Thimaar draw dates and winners list, as well as ongoing promotions and campaigns.

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