BMI Bank (BMI), the Bahrain based associate of BankMuscat the largest financial services provider in Oman, today announced the appointment of seasoned Bahraini banker Jamal Ali Al-Hazeem as the new Bahrain Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with immediate effect. Jamal will be reporting to Andrew Bainbridge who becomes the Group CEO and takes on the responsibility of overseeing the banks expansion plans as well as its international operations.

Speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors, Sheikh AbdulMalik bin Abdullah Al Khalili, Chairman of BMI said:

"These realignments in functions reaffirms our commitment towards becoming a stronger regional bank and further strengthens BMI’s position within Bahrain. Jamal brings with him a wide wealth of experience in both Conventional and Islamic banking and will look at implementing the banks local growth strategy.

On behalf of the board directors we take this opportunity to congratulate both Jamal and Andrew on their new appointments and wish them success. BMI is a dynamic bank having grown from strength to strength since its inception in 2005 and we are confident that Jamal will be able to lead us towards even greater achievements."

Jamal was the Managing Director of Arthur Andersen - Bahrain for 22 years before being appointed as CEO of the Economic Development Board in 2000. In his next role, Jamal worked in Kuwait with The International Investor and returned back to Bahrain in 2007 to take on the role of CEO for First Investment Bank. Jamal currently serves as a Board member at Nass Corporation, Al-Masaleh Real Estate Co. (Kuwait), Taameer Real Estate Investment Company (Kuwait) and Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK).

Welcoming Jamal to BMI, Andrew Bainbridge noted:

"I am delighted that Jamal is joining BMI and it is a sign of our ambition and our strength that we can attract such talented and universally respected professionals. I am very much looking forward to working with him as we build BMI Bank together."

Commenting on his new role Jamal Al-Hazeem said:

"BMI is a strong local bank with highly respected shareholders and a growing loyal customer base. I am pleased to join BMI at this significant juncture in its relatively young history and look forward to building on the banks strengths as well as delivering on our commitment to provide customers with unique and innovative financial products and services."

Sheikh AbdulMalik bin Abdullah Al Khalili,

Jamal Al-Hazeem