Latest news with #OmanHousingBank


Muscat Daily
10-06-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
UAE's Fuze signs MoU with Oman's Mamun to facilitate trade finance via stablecoins
Abu Dhabi, UAE – UAE-based regulated digital assets infrastructure provider, Fuze, has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mamun, a Sharia-compliant alternative finance and investment platform headquartered in Oman and expanding across the UAE and wider GCC markets. The agreement will enable both regional and international retail and institutional investors to participate in short-term, Sharia-compliant financing of trade-driven businesses using USDT (Tether's US dollar-pegged stablecoin). These businesses will then be able to access fiat financing in local currency to pay suppliers and support both domestic and cross-border trade. This aims to help enterprises tap into new sources of finance from a broader pool of investors, according to a press release. The trade credit gap in the MENA region stands at an estimated $250bn, with the global figure exceeding $1tn. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly affected, often underserved or excluded by traditional financial institutions. Meanwhile, the MENA region alone is home to over 40mn crypto investors, with an estimated holding value of $300bn – yet they have limited access to low-entry, high-yield, Sharia-compliant trade finance opportunities. The partnership marks one of the region's first efforts to bridge regulated digital asset infrastructure with traditional private credit markets. Under this collaboration, Fuze will provide the digital asset rails – including on/off ramp solutions, custody and conversion – while Mamun will originate Sharia-compliant trade finance opportunities. The agreement will allow for swift and compliant settlements in SME trade financing and address pain points associated with the movement of capital across borders. In a press release, Mo Ali Yusuf, CEO of Fuze, said, 'The alignment between Fuze and Mamun highlights a growing trend – the use of stablecoins like USDT not just for trading or remittance, but as a tool for working capital and liquidity in real-world finance.' Mohammed al-Tamami, Chief Commercial Officer at Mamun, added, 'Bringing stablecoins into Sharia-compliant private credit opens new avenues for cross-border trade finance. At Mamun, we're not just innovating – we're aligning digital asset infrastructure with the capital needs of the real economy. This collaboration with Fuze allows us to better serve both investors and businesses.' Mamun is an alternative finance and investment platform based in Oman, focused on transforming short-term trade finance into an investable asset class. Serving investors from over 45 countries, Mamun has facilitated nearly $10mn in Sharia-compliant trade financing since its launch in Q3 2023, and is targeting $20mn in 2025 alone. Mamun's investor base includes retail participants, high-net-worth individuals, and family offices. Its microservices architecture also powers systems at Oman Housing Bank and three major telecommunications providers, demonstrating its capability to scale embedded finance infrastructure across multiple sectors. Fuze is the MENA region's first regulated digital assets infrastructure provider of its kind, offering financial institutions and enterprises cutting-edge tools to integrate digital asset services securely and efficiently. Through a solutions-based approach, Fuze enables financial services providers to strategise, implement, and launch secure, regulated, world-class products across wealth management and payments.


Mid East Info
10-06-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
NBO's Muzn Islamic Banking Collaborates with OHB on Home Financing Offer with Added Credit Card Benefit - Middle East Business News and Information
Muscat: The National Bank of Oman's (NBO) Muzn Islamic Banking has partnered with Oman Housing Bank (OHB) to offer customers a home financing opportunity to support their homeownership aspirations. As part of the collaboration, customers who apply for Iskan Home Financing through OHB and select Muzn Islamic Banking will receive a complimentary Muzn Credit Card upon request with the first-year annual fee waived. Available until 30 June 2025, this limited-time offer supports homeowners by providing accessible, value-driven financing solutions. The offer combines subsidised financing under OHB's Iskan initiative and Muzn Islamic Banking Shari'a-compliant Credit Card, blending affordability with convenience and ethical banking benefits. This also enables new homeowners to conveniently finance essential home-related purchases such as appliances, furniture and other setup costs, supporting a smoother transition into their new homes. Commenting on the partnership, Salima Obaid Issa Al-Marzoqi, Assistant General Manager and Chief Islamic Banking Officer at Muzn, said: 'We are pleased to collaborate with OHB to support families on their homeownership journey. This initiative enables customers to benefit from OHB's subsidised Iskan Financing Programme while experiencing the Shari'a-compliant value-added services and high standards of Muzn Islamic Banking's financial offerings.' To ensure a seamless and rewarding banking experience, customers can select Muzn Islamic Banking on the Iskan digital platform when applying for home financing. Once approved, eligible applicants may request a Muzn Credit Card, which will be issued with the first-year annual fee waived. This initiative reflects Muzn Islamic Banking's ongoing efforts to deliver responsible financial solutions that are tailored to the needs of today's customers. By working with Oman Housing Bank, Muzn Islamic Banking continues to support government efforts in housing development while strengthening its commitment to Shari'a-compliant, customer-first banking.


Zawya
10-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
NBO's Muzn Islamic Banking collaborates with OHB on home financing offer with added credit card benefit
Muscat: The National Bank of Oman's (NBO) Muzn Islamic Banking has partnered with Oman Housing Bank (OHB) to offer customers a home financing opportunity to support their homeownership aspirations. As part of the collaboration, customers who apply for Iskan Home Financing through OHB and select Muzn Islamic Banking will receive a complimentary Muzn Credit Card upon request with the first-year annual fee waived. Available until 30 June 2025, this limited-time offer supports homeowners by providing accessible, value-driven financing solutions. The offer combines subsidised financing under OHB's Iskan initiative and Muzn Islamic Banking Shari'a-compliant Credit Card, blending affordability with convenience and ethical banking benefits. This also enables new homeowners to conveniently finance essential home-related purchases such as appliances, furniture and other setup costs, supporting a smoother transition into their new homes. Commenting on the partnership, Salima Obaid Issa Al-Marzoqi, Assistant General Manager and Chief Islamic Banking Officer at Muzn, said: 'We are pleased to collaborate with OHB to support families on their homeownership journey. This initiative enables customers to benefit from OHB's subsidised Iskan Financing Programme while experiencing the Shari'a-compliant value-added services and high standards of Muzn Islamic Banking's financial offerings.' To ensure a seamless and rewarding banking experience, customers can select Muzn Islamic Banking on the Iskan digital platform when applying for home financing. Once approved, eligible applicants may request a Muzn Credit Card, which will be issued with the first-year annual fee waived. This initiative reflects Muzn Islamic Banking's ongoing efforts to deliver responsible financial solutions that are tailored to the needs of today's customers. By working with Oman Housing Bank, Muzn Islamic Banking continues to support government efforts in housing development while strengthening its commitment to Shari'a-compliant, customer-first banking. For more information about this offer or Muzn Islamic Banking's range of Shari'a-compliant products and services, please visit or contact the Muzn Islamic Banking's Call Centre at 24770001.


Observer
01-03-2025
- Business
- Observer
OHB to provide over RO 145 million in housing loans
MUSCAT: Oman Housing Bank (OHB) has announced plans to finance housing loans worth over RO 145 million by the end of 2025, benefiting 3,250 citizens across various governorates. This initiative aligns with the bank's ongoing efforts to support the housing sector and enable Omanis to own homes. The highest financing was allocated through the bank's main branch in Muscat, amounting to RO 38.3 million for 837 beneficiaries, followed by the Rustaq branch with RO 34.58 million for 813 beneficiaries, and the Nizwa branch with RO 19.38 million for 423 beneficiaries. Mousa bin Masoud al Jadidi, CEO of Oman Housing Bank, emphasized that these financings reflect the bank's strategy to enhance housing stability by providing soft loans with competitive terms, contributing to Oman Vision 2040's housing and social development goals. The loans cover a range of needs, including home purchases, land acquisition for construction, and direct home-building, offering flexible options for beneficiaries. Al Jadidi reaffirmed the bank's commitment to delivering innovative financing solutions that support urban development and improve the quality of life for citizens. To enhance efficiency, the bank is implementing comprehensive updates to its services, including a new digital system that will provide integrated electronic services for loan and account management. He highlighted that Oman Housing Bank has significantly reduced waiting times for loan approvals by restructuring internal mechanisms and expanding specialized teams, cutting the waiting period from four years to just eight months. He also noted that the bank remains dedicated to providing accessible financing solutions across all governorates, ensuring a balanced distribution of funds to support Omani families in securing suitable housing. Looking ahead, Oman Housing Bank plans to enter a new phase of development and expansion, reinforcing its role in creating a sustainable and integrated housing environment in the Sultanate of Omsn.


Times of Oman
01-03-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Oman Housing Bank provides housing loans exceeding OMR 145 Million
Muscat: Oman Housing Bank announced that it had provided housing loans with a total value exceeding OMR 145 million by the end of 2024, benefiting 3,250 citizens from various governorates of Oman as part of its ongoing efforts to support the housing sector and enable citizens to own their homes. The bank's financial data showed that the highest financing was provided through the main branch in Muscat, amounting to OMR 38.3 million, benefiting 837 recipients. This was followed by the Rustaq branch with OMR 34.58 million for 813 recipients, and the Nizwa branch, which provided OMR 19.38 million for 423 recipients. Musa bin Masoud Al-Jididi, CEO of Oman Housing Bank, affirmed that these financings are part of the bank's strategy aimed at enhancing the housing stability of Omani citizens by offering easy loans with competitive terms that meet the needs of various segments, contributing to the realization of Oman Vision 2040 in the housing and social development sectors. In a statement to the Oman News Agency, he added that these loans cover different categories, including those wishing to buy homes, purchase land and build on it, or construct a house, providing recipients with multiple opportunities to achieve their housing goals. He emphasized Oman Housing Bank's commitment to continuing to provide innovative financing solutions that support urban development in Oman and enhance the quality of life for citizens in line with national goals aimed at providing a sustainable and integrated housing environment. Al-Jididi explained that the bank is undergoing comprehensive updates to its services and products, aiming to enhance and offer innovative housing solutions. He noted that the bank is preparing to enter a new phase of development and expansion, working on updating its digital system and providing integrated electronic services to manage loans and accounts easily and securely. The CEO stated that the bank had significantly reduced the waiting period by restructuring internal approval mechanisms and expanding specialized work teams, reducing the waiting time from 4 years to less than 8 months. He noted that Oman Housing Bank continues to provide easy financing solutions across all governorates of Oman, ensuring comprehensive coverage of citizens' needs nationwide. The bank is committed to distributing financing equitably across its branches to support Omani families in owning suitable housing.