In a significant step towards promoting financial inclusion and reinforcing its commitment to providing exceptional banking services, Bank Muscat, the leading financial services provider in the Sultanate of Oman, has proudly announced the launch of the first Braille debit card in the Sultanate. This innovative service is designed to offer a seamless banking experience for individuals with visual impairments, ensuring they can access banking services easily and conveniently at all times.
The Braille debit card will be available at all Bank Muscat branches across the governorates, reflecting the Bank’s dedication to enhancing access to financial services for all customers, including those with visual disabilities. This initiative underscores Bank Muscat’s leadership in delivering comprehensive banking solutions that cater to the diverse needs of society.
The card features a distinctive design, with the account number printed in Braille, allowing visually impaired users to read their numbers with ease. This facilitates transactions at retail stores, electronic shopping, fee payments, and other banking services, empowering users to navigate their financial activities independently.
On this occasion, Abdullah bin Hamood al Jufaili, Assistant General Manager, Digital Banking, Bank Muscat, expressed his enthusiasm for the launch of the Braille debit card, highlighting Bank Muscat’s commitment to developing products that serve various segments of society. He emphasized the importance of supporting individuals with disabilities, ensuring they receive the assistance they need for efficient and secure banking transactions. Al Jufaili reiterated Bank Muscat’s dedication to the principle of financial inclusion, a core value embedded in all of its initiatives.
Bank Muscat prioritizes customers with disabilities by offering tailored banking services and facilities across 60 branches nationwide. These branches are designed with accessibility in mind, featuring suitable corridors, reception desks, parking areas, waiting zones, and entrances specifically created to cater to the needs of individuals with disabilities. They are also backed by 11 interactive devices for easy access to the banking services. The Bank previously introduced the first ATM in the Sultanate at the Al Noor Association for the Blind, equipped to assist visually impaired users with voice instructions for conducting banking transactions independently.
In its ongoing efforts to foster inclusivity, Bank Muscat has implemented a specialized training programme for 180 employees to become proficient in sign language, ensuring effective communication with customers with hearing impairments. Furthermore, an additional 99 employees have been trained to assist individuals with various disabilities. The Bank also offers “Maliyat,” a complimentary electronic platform that provides essential financial management skills, empowering users to make informed spending decisions.
Last year, the Bank successfully organized the Himam Marathon, a pioneering initiative in the Sultanate aimed at promoting athletic empowerment and community integration for individuals with physical, visual, and hearing disabilities, as well as those with autism spectrum disorders and Down syndrome. This initiative aligns with the pillars of Oman Vision 2040, reflecting the Bank commitment to fostering an inclusive society.
