The Central Bank of Oman issued a regulatory framework for digital banks that took effect on 1 June 2025, establishing the legal and supervisory basis under which purely digital banking entities may be licensed and supervised within the Sultanate. The framework provides formal authorisation for digital banks to operate as either locally incorporated Omani entities or as branches of foreign banking institutions.
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND GOVERNANCE STANDARDS SET OUT
The CBO's framework sets out capital requirements applicable to digital bank applicants.
The framework also sets out governance standards.
The framework also includes operational guidelines.
STABILITY AND FOREIGN BRANCH REQUIREMENTS
The framework is designed to support the stability and integrity of digital banking services in Oman.
Foreign bank branches seeking to operate in digital-only form in Oman will be required to obtain approval from their home supervisory authority and a no-objection to joint supervision from the same.
No specific timetable was given for when the first digital bank licences under the new framework might be issued.
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