Doha, 24July 2010 - QNB Al Islami, the Islamic banking arm of Qatar National Bank (QNB), announced the official opening of a new branch in Al Shamal city.

With the opening of this new branch, QNB Al Islami's branch network now increases to 13 branches and offices, including an international branch in Sudan. QNB Al Islami’s network is further complemented by QNB's local network of 44 branches and offices including 3 mobile branches, as well as a network of more than 160 ATMs, which makes it the largest banking network in Qatar.

QNB Al Islami offers an innovative range of modern Islamic banking products and services which are certified by the Bank’s eminent Shari'a Advisory Board. These include retail and corporate services in addition to various other Shari'a-approved financing solutions. 

Among the products available at the Al Shamal branch are Current Accounts, Call Investment Accounts, Savings Investment Accounts, Fixed Investment Deposits, and Domestic Murabaha Finance for vehicles and goods.

QNB Al Islami has been very active in the Islamic banking industry since inception in 2005, when it became the first Islamic financial institution to be established by a conventional bank in Qatar, with a leading market share amongst the Islamic windows of conventional banks.

The Bank has over the years built a reputation for innovation in Islamic financial services and has launched many innovative solutions for its customers, including electronic banking services which are offered via the eazylife platform and S@hl, the corporate eBanking portal of the Bank.

The eazylife suite of banking solutions comprise primarily of consumer applications tailored to help customers conduct their banking at home, at the office or on the move.

QNB Al Islami is also the only bank in Qatar to offer an Islamic co-branded credit card in association with MasterCard and Qatar Airways. This card provides customers with the fastest way to earn Qmiles, the reward points of the airline's loyalty program.

For further information please call the Bank’s Customer Care Center at 4407777.

About QNB

Qatar National Bank (QNB), established in 1964 as the country’s first Qatari-owned commercial bank, has an ownership structure split between the Qatar Investment Authority (50%) and the private sector (50%).

QNB has steadily grown to be among the largest banks in the region and is by far the leading financial institution in the country, with a market share approaching 40% of banking sector assets.

QNB offers a full range of Retail, Corporate, Investment, Treasury, Wealth Management, and Islamic Banking products and services for individuals, corporate institutions and government entities in Qatar as well as internationally.

QNB has the largest distribution network in Qatar, comprising 44 branches and offices (including 3 mobile branches), in addition to 12 Islamic branches and offices operated by QNB Al Islami, and more than 160 ATMs.

QNB was the first conventional bank in Qatar to offer Shari'a-compliant banking products and services through QNB Al Islami, established in 2005.

QNB’s international presence is rapidly expanding to include new locations around the world to supplement the long established branches in London and Paris.  Currently QNB has presence in 22 countries including branches in Yemen, Oman Kuwait & Singapore as well as Representative Offices in Iran & Libya. An Islamic branch was recently inaugurated in Sudan, offering a full range of Islamic banking services and products.

QNB has also extended its regional reach by acquiring shares in various financial institutions including 33.5% stake in the Jordan based, The Housing Bank for Trade and Finance (HBTF), 23.8% of the shares of Commercial Bank International (CBI) based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 50% of the Tunisian-Qatari bank and 20% stake in the Doha-based Al Jazeera Islamic Company. QNB also retains 55% stake in QNB-Syria, a private stock company established jointly with other Syrian private and public sector institutions which started operations mid November 2009.

“QNB Capital” was established in 2008 providing an array of investment banking services to corporate, government and institutional clients within Qatar and globally. These include one of the best corporate finance teams in the GCC region offering extensive transaction experience, in depth advisory services – including mergers and acquisitions, equity, debt and project advisory – as well as first-class research capabilities.

QNB is among the highest rated regional banks from leading credit rating agencies including Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, Fitch, and Capital Intelligence. The Bank has also been the recipient of many awards from leading international specialized financial publications for its innovative products, services and remarkable performance.

QNB has an active community support program and sponsors various social, educational, and sporting events

For further information, please contact QNB’s Public Relations Department at (974) 4252477, Fax (974) 4252589, email: PR@qnb.com.qaor visit QNB’s website www.qnb.com.qa