Adding to his remarkable achievements, ahlibank CEO Said Abdullah Al Hatmi was recently honoured with the prestigious CEO of the Year award at the esteemed Banking and Finance Awards 2023.
This well-deserved recognition serves as a testament to Al Hatmi’s exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to driving ahlibank’s success. Under his guidance, ahlibank continues to thrive, setting new benchmarks and cementing its position as a leading financial institution in the region
Q) Could you share your experience and path to becoming the CEO of ahlibank and elaborate on your responsibilities within the organisation?
Mr. Said Al Hatmi: I have been fortunate to have a significant portion of my career dedicated to working with ahlibank, where I held multiple senior management positions before assuming the role of CEO in June 2018. With over two decades of experience in the commercial banking industry, I have gained valuable expertise across various domains, including corporate banking, retail banking, risk management, finance, and banking operations. These diverse experiences have provided me with a solid foundation and equipped me with the necessary skills to excel in my current role. As the CEO of ahlibank, I am responsible for leading the bank towards achieving its strategic objectives, ensuring operational efficiency, and maintaining a strong corporate culture that is customer-centric, innovative, and transparent. A key aspect such as decision-making is a collective exercise for us at ahlibank. Together with my senior management colleagues, we make key decisions that drive the growth and success of the bank, with a focus on expanding our customer base and branches, both digital and physical, while continuously enhancing the customer experience.
ahlibank has established itself as a prominent financial institution in Oman, with a legacy of serving the banking needs of individuals, businesses, and institutions since its inception. Our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction forms the core of our operations. We heavily invest in advanced technology to deliver innovative banking solutions that seamlessly adapt to the evolving needs of our valued customers. Our comprehensive range of services includes personalised banking solutions and tailored corporate banking services, ensuring that we cater to diverse requirements. In line with our dedication to inclusivity, we also provide Islamic banking services that comply with Shariah law.
Our relentless pursuit of excellence has garnered numerous industry accolades, including the prestigious ‘Bank of the Year 2022’ award bestowed upon us by The Banker, a distinguished international financial affairs publication affiliated with The Financial Times. Being regarded as one of Oman’s most trusted and respected banks fills us with immense pride.
Q) With the rapid evolution of digital banking and changing customer expectations, how do you envision the bank adapting to stay competitive and meet the needs of customers in the future?
Mr. Al Hatmi: Understanding changing market trends from the perspective of customers is crucial, as many individuals now rely on digital platforms to access information, compare products, and make informed decisions, including their choice of a bank or branch. Today’s customers are discerning and demand the best, particularly in their financial choices. This places the responsibility on banks to be proactive in anticipating and meeting these evolving needs.
At ahlibank, we have recognised this shift and have implemented a comprehensive digitalisation strategy to upgrade our products and services in line with global trends. We have not only retained our existing customers but also attracted new ones, ensuring that every banking experience they have is exceptional. We have taken measured steps to align ourselves with changing customer expectations, whether it be enhancing convenience and ease of banking or instilling confidence and satisfaction in the products and services we offer – many of which are tailored to different customer segments.
While adopting digital platforms is essential in today’s banking landscape, it is equally important to incorporate the latest and best technology and infrastructure to ensure seamless processes. Oman Vision 2040 underscores the urgency of digital transformation to keep pace with regional and global changes. We anticipate a significant leap in digital adoption in the coming days, and our dedicated team is committed to streamlining our digital journey and fortifying our position in the industry.
Q) What does the future hold? How do you plan to build upon recent successes and drive further growth?
Mr. Al Hatmi: ahlibank is poised to continue its impressive growth trajectory, surpassing past and current successes. Building upon our recent financial performance, which displayed a notable increase in profits, we are confident in our ability to achieve our strategic growth agenda and position ourselves as the most preferred bank in the country.
While acknowledging the recognition we have received through awards, we recognise that our future success relies on our unwavering commitment to a customer-centric approach. Our customers are at the forefront of our present and future, and we are dedicated to seizing every opportunity to ensure that our innovations and service portfolio align with their needs, providing each customer with a truly unique banking experience.
Q) What advice would you give to aspiring CEOs, particularly those in the financial industry, looking to lead their organisations to success?
Mr. Al Hatmi: To succeed as a CEO in the financial industry, it is essential to possess strategic thinking, strong leadership skills, and the ability to adapt to a changing market. My advice to aspiring CEOs, especially those in the financial sector, is to focus on creating a clear vision for their organisation, building a highly competent team, embracing technology, prioritizing customer satisfaction, and embracing flexibility in the face of change. A clear vision will enable CEOs to make informed decisions aligned with their organisation’s goals, while a skilled and dedicated team will effectively execute those decisions. Embracing technology is crucial in the finance industry, so CEOs should be willing to invest in cutting-edge technologies that enhance efficiency and improve customer experience. Additionally, prioritising customer needs will help build a loyal customer base and drive business success.
Being adaptable to change is vital in the rapidly evolving financial sector, as CEOs need to remain open to new ideas and technologies to stay ahead of the competition. By following these principles, aspiring CEOs can proactively overcome challenges in the financial industry and lead their organisations to success.
