The Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance – BIBF’s Payments Academy and MasterCard have announced a first-of-its-kind collaboration in Bahrain. The BIBF is the training arm of the Central Bank of Bahrain and the region’s premier training and development provider, recognized for the value, thought leadership and quality of its programs. As part of the…
Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) is expanding its Sadeem fuel card program with the help of MasterCard and NEC Payments. At the centre of the project is a next generation technical solution developed, hosted and managed by NEC Payments.
CardWeb.com’s CardExecs database of payments industry movers and shakers today features Abdul Rahman Turki, General Manager of Retail Banking of Bahrain Islamic Bank.
Cards-in-Force (CIF) in Bahrain grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.49%, increasing from 830,360 cards in 2009 to 1.0 million in 2013. In terms of transaction value, payment cards reached BHD1.1 billion (US$3 billion) in 2013, after registering a CAGR of 17.37%.
The number of Cards-in-Force (CIF) moved above one million in 2013 and is likely to hit 1.17 million this year. Over the next 5 years, the card payments channel is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5.20%, from 1.1 million cards in 2013 to 1.3 million cards in 2017.
BBK, Bahrain’s pioneer in retail and commercial banking, announces the introduction of a new offsite ATM at Hawar Patrol Station in Jidhafs. With the addition of this new ATM, BBK’s network has increased to 46 ATMs across the Kingdom of Bahrain. BBK has one of the largest ATM networks in Bahrain and is committed to…
Travelex opened its new outlet in Bab Al Bahrain and is now the largest Western Union provider in the Country. The new outlet relocated from the 24-hour supermarket to the opposite side of the road, in the Bahrain Air Office Building, offering more spacious facilities for customers. Travelex will offer more than 30 foreign currencies, a buyback guarantee, Western Union services as well as the Travelex Money Transfer (TMT) service which was launched in December 2011. Travelex Bahrain’s 24 outlets are part of a global network of more than 1,000 stores and over 500 ATMs across 25 countries.
VIVA announced its latest partnership deal with TransferTo international airtime transfer, allowing its prepaid customers to transfer credit to their loved ones overseas simply via SMS. Prepaid customers can now ensure their families and friends abroad are always able to get in touch with them no matter the occasion, celebration or emergency at hand. The service, introduced by VIVA for the first time in Bahrain, is secure, immediate and can be used around the clock. It is available for twelve receiving countries: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Thailand, Morocco, Jordan, Syria, Indonesia and Nepal.
BMI Bank announced Bahraini Hussain Salman Isa Ali won the ‘go anywhere’ Visa credit & debit card promotion. Conducted by Visa International, the promotion was exclusively held for all Visa credit and debit cardholders within Bahrain enabling them to qualify for an entry in the draw on all Visa card transactions made overseas from 1st June to August 31st 2011.
BBK retail and commercial banking introduced a new offsite ATM at BDF Headquarters. With the addition of this new ATM, BBK’s network has increased to 45 ATMs. BBK has one of the largest ATM networks in Bahrain and is committed to maintaining its market-leading position by adding new BBK ATMs in suitable locations to provide additional services and added convenience for its customers.
BBK launched a new offsite ATM, bringing its numbers to 43 ATMs. BBK ATM machines provide such services as Cash withdrawals; Account balance enquiries; Printing of mini statements; Transfer of funds between linked accounts maintained with BBK; Cheque book requests Batelco bill payments and prepaid top-ups; Zain bill payments and prepaid top-ups; Electricity bill payments; and “CrediMax” Credit Card bill payments and PIN change. BBK has been incorporating the latest technologies to offer e-banking solutions to provide new generation services through its user friendly award winning website www.bbkonline.com.
Al Baraka Islamic Bank continued to perform throughout 1H/11, posting a total operating income up 57.97% and net operating income by 48.94% from the year ago period. Meanwhile, total assets increased by 8.46%, loan and investment portfolio by 13.78% and total deposits by 9% as at the end of June 2011 compared to the end of December 2010. There was net income of BD 1.28 million during the first half of 2011 compared to a loss of BD 96 thousand during the first half of 2010. This reflects an improvement in the total income of the bank which amounted to BD 8.4 million compared to BD 5.32 million during the first half of 2010, an increase of 57.97%. After deducting operating expenses, net operating income amounted to BD 954 thousand, an increase of 48.94% over the first half of 2010. The improvement in the bank’s profits reflects an increase the bank’s business both in Bahrain and Pakistan, improvement in the quality of income-generating assets as evidenced by a decline in the volume of non- performing assets and a higher income from foreign trade financing and arrangement of new financing deals.