Question 1

What is Eskan Bank?

Accepted Answer

Eskan Bank is a government-owned specialized housing bank in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Established with a unique social mandate, it serves as the country's leading provider of residential mortgages and affordable housing solutions.

The bank is wholly owned by the Government of Bahrain and operates as the strategic partner and financial advisor to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning. Eskan Bank focuses primarily on low-to-middle income citizens, providing subsidized mortgages and engaging in community-related property development activities.

Question 2

When was Eskan Bank founded?

Accepted Answer

Eskan Bank was established in 1979 by the Government of Bahrain. The bank was founded with a distinctive social purpose: to provide mortgages for Bahraini citizens on low-to-medium incomes and to engage in community-related property development activities.

Since its inception, the bank has provided mortgages totaling over BHD 772.8 million, benefiting more than 54,452 Bahraini families—representing approximately 35 percent of Bahraini citizens. The bank's establishment reflected the government's commitment to addressing housing needs as a fundamental component of social welfare and economic development.

Question 3

Where is Eskan Bank headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Eskan Bank is headquartered in Manama, the capital city of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The head office is located on the first floor of Almoayyed Tower in the Seef District.

The bank's contact details include a main telephone number (+973 1756 7777) and a dedicated call center (+973 1756 7888). The Seef District location positions the bank in one of Bahrain's primary commercial and business areas.

Question 4

Where does Eskan Bank operate?

Accepted Answer

Eskan Bank operates exclusively within the Kingdom of Bahrain, focusing its services on Bahraini citizens across the country. The bank maintains multiple branch locations to serve communities throughout Bahrain.

Key branch locations include the Seef District (ground floor of Almoayyed Tower), Diplomatic Area (Ministry of Housing Building), and Isa Town (Danaat Al Madina). These strategically positioned branches ensure accessibility for citizens seeking housing finance and related services across various regions of Bahrain.

Question 5

What services does Eskan Bank offer?

Accepted Answer

Eskan Bank offers a comprehensive range of housing-focused financial services, including:

Mortgage and Housing Finance: Subsidized mortgages for low-to-middle income Bahraini citizens, Sharia-compliant financing options, and specialized programs like the Mazaya Scheme (formerly Social Housing Financing Scheme) that provides government subsidies for eligible homebuyers.

Property Development: Through its subsidiary Eskan Properties Company (EPC), the bank develops social, affordable, community, and commercial real estate projects in partnership with the private sector.

Banking Services: Retail banking, investment banking, treasury and capital management services, and conventional banking products under a restricted retail banking license issued by the Central Bank of Bahrain.

Digital Services: The bank has implemented digital transformation initiatives, including online platforms for mortgage applications and the launch of Baity.bh, a comprehensive real estate services portal for developers, homebuyers, and agents in Bahrain.

Question 6

What makes Eskan Bank unique?

Accepted Answer

Eskan Bank's uniqueness stems from its dual mandate as both a commercial bank and a social welfare institution. As the only bank in Bahrain with exclusive government ownership and a specific housing mandate, it operates at the intersection of public policy and financial services.

The bank administers the government's housing subsidy programs, acting as the liaison between the Ministry of Housing, private banks, and beneficiaries. This positions Eskan Bank at the center of a comprehensive housing ecosystem connecting financiers, landowners, developers, and citizens.

Innovative programs distinguish Eskan Bank's approach. The Tomooh programme addresses Bahrainis' traditional aversion to apartment living by guaranteeing to buy back apartments at 90 percent of market value between eight and ten years, helping families build equity toward larger homes.

The bank's strategic alignment with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030 demonstrates its commitment to long-term national development goals, particularly reducing the housing application backlog for low-to-medium income families.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Eskan Bank?

Accepted Answer

Eskan Bank operates as a specialized housing bank under a restricted conventional retail banking license issued and regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain. This classification reflects its focused mandate on housing finance and property development.

The bank functions as a government-owned development finance institution with a social banking orientation. With an authorized share capital of BHD 400 million and paid-up capital of BHD 108.3 million, it combines commercial banking operations with public sector objectives.

Unlike conventional retail banks that serve broad consumer and commercial markets, Eskan Bank's restricted license confines its activities primarily to housing-related services, making it Bahrain's de facto national housing bank. This institutional structure allows it to fulfill both financial sustainability requirements and social welfare obligations simultaneously.

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About Eskan Bank in Bahrain