Bahrain-based Ithmaar Bank, a premier Islamic retail and commercial bank, is issuing its customers new Ithmaar-branded ATM (debit) cards.

The distribution of the new Ithmaar-branded ATM cards, which replace the older Shamil-branded cards, follows the Bank’s rebranding exercise as part of its reorganisation.

“We have started delivering the new cards to our customers using multiple courier companies,” said Mohammed Janahi, assistant general manager, Retail Banking, Ithmaar Bank.

“The associated personal identification numbers (PIN) will remain unchanged to ensure a seamless, hassle-free transition for all our customers.”

“In fact, all a customer needs to do to activate the new Ithmaar-branded card is simply use it anywhere in Bahrain. This will automatically activate the new card and deactivate the old one which should then be shredded immediately for security purposes,” he added.

The distribution of the new Ithmaar-branded cards follows an earlier announcement that Ithmaar is pushing ahead towards the full implementation of a business expansion programme that has already seen the Bank expanding its network, improving its delivery channels and introducing new, customer-focused products and services.

“The cards allow customers to pay for purchases at millions of points of sale in Bahrain and around the world,” said Janahi. “Customers can also use the card at ATM machines in Bahrain, using the Benefit Network, across the region using the GCCNet Network, and around the world, using the MasterCard Network, for many of their banking requirements.”

“In fact, Ithmaar ATMs in five different branches across Bahrain (Main, East Riffa, West Riffa, Salmabad and Bahrain Mall) allow customers to make real-time cash deposits. The sophisticated ATMs, part of Ithmaar Bank’s fast-growing retail network, credit cash deposits instantly, in real-time into the customer’s account,” Janahi concluded. – TradeArabia News Service