Basil Jawad Al Lawati, Head of Priority Banking – Elite at OAB talks about the unique customer experience OAB Elite offers

With nearly every bank having accounts that specifically cater to high net worth individuals, how does OAB’s Elite Banking differentiate itself from the competition?

Our Elite Banking service offers customers a host of exclusive benefits and dedicated customer service sections in all flagship branches. However, what sets us apart is the truly unique customer experience we offer.

It is unlike any other and centred around three key areas of focus – our Elite Services, Benefits and Wealth Management, each of which is tailored specifically to the needs of our customers, whilst at the same time offering them the utmost privacy and flexibility to carry out their banking transactions.

Could you elaborate on these areas
of focus?

Under ‘Elite Services’ we offer our elite customers a dedicated relationship manager, together with priority access to a 24-hour call centre dedicated to Elite clients. In addition, all OAB Elite Account holders enjoy the benefit of premium service centres and lounges at every OAB flagship branch.

Elite customers also enjoy a host of exclusive benefits. These include preferential pricing on Deposits and Loans, complimentary airport chauffeur service, and special discounted tariffs for bank charges, including safe lockers. In addition, all elite customers receive a free for life Elite Infinite Credit card, together with all the benefits that come with them. These include unlimited complimentary lounge access at over 700 International airports, amazing discounts and offers with entertainer and Visa Infinite, and a personalised concierge service through Visa. Elite customers can also enjoy value added offers at renowned merchants across the Sultanate and GCC, either through direct offers or via OAB rewards. OAB offers a vast array of reward point redemption options such as airplane tickets, hotel accommodation, electronics and many others. In addition, Elite clients can redeem the credit card points directly at partner restaurants, hypermarkets, electronic shops and others.

We also offers our elite customers a host of Wealth Management services in collaboration with Ubhar capital. These include tailor-made portfolios to suit a customer’s specific investment needs, subscription access to IPOs, financial planning services, and comprehensive bancassurance options, including life and saving plans.

From a business standpoint, what are the benefits of providing such an elite service?

As with any of our accounts, each has been created to serve the specific needs of our client base. The same is true for our Elite customer. HNI that makes up our customer base are, in most cases, very business focussed individuals and usually on the move, requiring the utmost in privacy and 24-hour banking service regardless of where in the world they may be. This is exactly what we provide.

Furthermore, through any of our accounts and services we provide, we aim to not only provide said service, rather to build lasting relationships with our customers with a personal touch. This is especially true for our elite customers as these relationship can lead to, or are the result of, further synergies with their respective businesses or companies they head.

What can we expect from Elite
in the future?

As with every other product and service offered by OAB, our Elite Banking Account is constantly evolving and growing to offer an even wider range of features and benefits; with several more in the works that are expected to debut in the near future. With each new addition, OAB comes one step closer to its ultimate goal of becoming the Bank of choice for high net worth individuals in the country.