Omani Banks Receive Fitch Ratings Upgrade; A Positive Turn for the Banking Sector

Fitch Ratings has recently upgraded five major Omani banks’ long-term issuer default ratings (IDRs). Bank Muscat, BankDhofar, NBO, Ahlibank, and Sohar International Bank have improved their ratings, signalling growing confidence in Oman’s banking sector. This move follows Oman’s sovereign rating upgrade in September 2023, reflecting the improved likelihood of government support for these banks. The upgrades also indicate that the banks’ overall business conditions are on a positive trajectory, with Oman’s authorities displaying a strong commitment to supporting the nation’s banking sector despite certain limitations in financial flexibility.