The statement came as the CEOs met with Economic Development Board CEO Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa at a roundtable discussion organized by the Bahrain Association of Banks (BAB).

BAB Chairman Abdulkarim Bucheery and the BAB CEO Robert Ainey also attended the meeting held at the Gulf Hotel

“We are committed to having a positive impact on the broader economy and on the communities in which we live and work,” Jonathan Morris, chief executive officer, Standard Chartered Bank Bahrain, said in a statement said.

“Standard Chartered Bank’s strategy remains unchanged and we intend to continue investing in our business in Bahrain,” he said.

“We opened two new branches as well as refurbishing a number of our other branches to ensure that our customers enjoy the best service possible. We plan to invest in our distribution again this year and are also planning to hub our Global Arabic Call center in Bahrain.”

The meeting titled “outlook of the foreign banks in Bahrain” was part of the ongoing efforts of the BAB to help the industry in disseminating the message to the public as well to the government about the current situation.

“As the first bank in Bahrain since 1920, Standard Chartered continues to serve its client base in the Kingdom,” he said.

BAB’s Robert Ainey said the situation was back to normal in Bahrain for all businesses, thanks to the measures taken by the Government to restore peace and order.

“We at the BAB have no information that some banks plan to go out of Bahrain,” BAB CEO added.

“Bahrain is open for business and the rumors about some foreign banks’ plans to relocate their businesses are just baseless,” he added.

BAB held a similar meeting with the heads of the foreign banks on March 8 and Bucheery told reporters after the talks that the situation was under control in Bahrain despite a few peaceful protests.

The banks, including the foreign entities, are working under normal circumstances, thanks to the steps taken by the government to restore peace and order across the Kingdom.

The steps taken by the government, according to bankers, has largely boosted the confidence among businesses.

Sources at the banking sector confirmed that the liquidity situation among banks remained at satisfactory levels.

Their operations are also normal, said the sources.