In line with Oman’s 2040 Vision to promote nationwide digitalization and the latest government requirement for commercial outlets to switch to electronic channels as part of its cashless payment scheme, National Bank of Oman’s (NBO) Merchant App enables quick and seamless payments on a single trusted platform. As the first such service in the Sultanate of Oman, and part of the bank’s forward-thinking digitalization strategy, the mobile-based solution is especially designed to suit SMEs and home businesses, making payments easier for both customer and merchant.
Transforming the buying and selling experience, the app is a simple, convenient and reliable alternative to cash and POS machines. The Merchant App is available for any small or home business with a business or personal bank account and has no set-up fee. Moreover, it does not require registration through the ministry; companies can simply visit any Sanad office for their business license and then proceed to the closest NBO branch to activate the App.
“The last year has changed the way our customers interact with banking and we have seen an exponential growth of online services and e-commerce platforms. NBO has been at the top of this growth as an important part of our journey towards becoming a fully digitally-enabled bank,” said Tariq Atiq, Chief Retail and Digital Banking Officer at NBO. “Our Merchant App is not just about making transactions easier - we are trying to empower businesses, helping them become more digitally-enabled, improve their customer journey, while freeing up time for them to focus on their growth.”
If the customer is present during the transaction, they can pay using a dynamic QR code, raised by the merchant through the app. All the customer has to do is scan and confirm the payment. The merchant will instantly be notified. Should the customer not be present, the merchant is able to raise a static QR code, which will be sent to the customer via email or WhatsApp. They can then log into their app, from any bank, add the amount, and pay. Whether they are in a store or shopping from home, customers are able to process their payment instantly and securely. Merchants also benefit from a recorded history of transactions.
A bank of firsts since inception, NBO invests heavily in digital innovations including the constantly-enhanced mobile app, the pay+ mobile wallet, and its prepaid card Badeel, which, for the first time in the Sultanate, is available to both NBO and non-NBO customers. Meanwhile, it continues to build on its portfolio of user-friendly solutions and make the banking experience seamless, inclusive, and altogether convenient.