National Bank of Oman Launches Badeel Prepaid Cards to Non-Customers

Easily applied for through NBO's Mobile App via a specially-created interface, card users can activate, top up, control daily usage limits, and view available balance.

Muscat: Opening its pioneering banking solutions to a wider customer-base, National Bank of Oman (NBO) will offer its popular prepaid cards, Badeel, to non-NBO customers starting July 17th, 2019. Easily applied for through NBO’s Mobile App via a specially-created interface, card users can activate, top up, control daily usage limits, and view available balance. The re-loadable cards can be easily obtained once requested, by home delivery service or by visiting any NBO branch. With the same advantages as for existing customers, the new cards are a safe and convenient alternative to cash.

The bank has also introduced the all-new Travel card, especially created to meet the needs of those traveling abroad. It’s the latest in a series of contactless cards offered by the bank as part of its Badeel scheme that includes Badeel General Purpose, Badeel Family and Badeel Youth, each specifically designed to cater to the diverse needs of customers.

“NBO is constantly striving to develop innovative solutions to suit the evolving needs of our customers. As cashless societies become the new norm, we are proud to offer unique products and services that are faster, safer, and more easily manageable,” said Maha Al Raisi, Head of Card Business at NBO. “Following the success of our Badeel series, we decided the next phase was to make them more widely accessible with greater options for usage. This unprecedented initiative means that banking with NBO is no longer a prerequisite to obtaining a Badeel card, so our solution can benefit a much greater range of customers.”

“Non-NBO customers can also tap into the new Travel card, which offers the same simplicity and state-of-the-art electronic security, wherever they are in the world. Adding to its unique benefits, a locked-in foreign exchange rate saves customers from uncertain fluctuations in currency rates, so card-users can manage their finances with total clarity,” she added.

Available to Oman residents for NBO customers and non-customers alike, the Travel card is a safe alternative to carrying cash while abroad. Like all of the Badeel cards, it is Mastercard enabled and accepted worldwide. The card’s unique benefits include fixed exchange rates, and the capacity to convert Omani Rial into nine of the most commonly-used global currencies; namely US Dollar, Euro, British Pound, Swiss Franc, Indian Rupee, Thai Baht, United Arab Emirates Dirham, Saudi Riyal, and Omani Rial.

Badeel cards offer an effortless way for customers to manage their finances and can be used for day-to-day purchases, online transactions and bill payments. Utilizing new contactless technology, the card allows customers to ‘tap and go’ at over 5,000 terminals across the Sultanate wherever the symbol is available. Using the Badeel prepaid card is as simple as loading cash onto it and spending. All Badeel cards are secured by using 3D and Chip and Pin technologies.