MUSCAT, 3 May 2010 – When Ali Mahmoud Abdulrahman won the RO 400,000 jackpot prize of BankMuscat’s popular al Mazyona Savings Scheme, it was a moment of big celebration for the Sultanate’s largest banking family which cheered and welcomed the exciting news.
Abdulrahman has been banking with BankMuscat for over 20 years. As an Omani businessman with global business interests, he maintains banking relations with other banks, but prefers BankMuscat for the excellent service he receives from the MBD branch.
Abdulrahman said: “The staff of MBD branch always remembers and welcomes me with personalised services. Everyone knows me at the branch and it is like coming home. I fully believe that God has been on my side and I thank God for this bounteous gift. I intend to retain the RO 400,000 prize in my al Mazyona account and hope to win again.”
Sulaiman Al Harthy, Group DGM – Consumer Banking, said: “Customers banking with BankMuscat for a long time are the true winners as they get rewarded through attractive prizes such as al Mazyona and personalised services. This year marks a major milestone for Oman which is celebrating the 40th Renaissance anniversary under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. In line with its commitment to complement national initiatives, the Bank launched year-long celebrations titled ‘Oman Celebrates’ to mark the 40th Renaissance anniversary. The all-new al Mazyona Savings Scheme was the first in the series of ‘Oman Celebrates’ campaign initiatives and the grand draw affirms the Bank's vision and constant efforts to fulfill the aspirations and ambitions of the extended family of customers.”
The run-up to the mega prize draw was marked by a high level of engagement generated through a micro website launched by the Bank which evoked phenomenal response to what prospective winners will do in the event of winning the big prize. On the eve of the prize draw, the al Mazyona micro site www.almazyona400000.com recorded over 200,000 hits with more than 3,000 participants responding to what they intended to do with the prize money. The websites of the Ministry of Education, Facebook and popular English and Arabic discussion forums also buzzed with excitement offering links to al Mazyona micro site.
BankMuscat is a trendsetter in using online social media and discussion forums for constructive engagement. The al Mazyona micro site initiative reveals the Bank's concern to communicate important social messages on prudent savings and spending habits.
One of the respondents on the micro site wrote: “If I win the RO 400,000 prize, I would set up an educational institution in the interior region for Omani women. The focus of the institute will be on the development of leadership skills with the hope that after graduation, these women would take up positions within government ministries, the private sector or set up independent businesses. After graduation, students can apply for grants which can be used as start-up capital for their business ventures.”
Another respondent wrote: “Honestly, this is a huge amount. If I win this money, I will donate some amount for government charity programmes as a sign of gratitude for providing me with welfare benefits like education and health facilities. I may consider starting a viable business venture and also set up an organisation to help socially marginalised people.”
As part of al Mazyona savings scheme, BankMuscat offers a daily prize of RO 4000 for customers maintaining a minimum balance of RO 100 and a monthly prize of RO 40,000 for customers maintaining a minimum balance of RO 1000. The climax of al Mazyona is the jackpot prize of RO 400,000 every four months for customers maintaining a minimum balance of RO 1000 for 3 months.