Doha, Qatar: Commercial Bank, Qatar's first private bank, has announced a number of exciting new benefits for those relocating to Qatar. Commercial Bank is the leading bank in Qatar to provide specialised services for new arrivals through its "Life in Qatar" offer that reduces the stress of relocating.
Commercial Bank's "Life in Qatar" is designed with the customer in mind to help them settle in faster. Customers can currently open an account even before they arrive and receive a complimentary chauffeur pick up service from the airport, exceptional mobile and entertainment packages through the Bank's partnership with Ooredoo, and support in searching for a new home.
The next wave of innovative new benefits for "Life in Qatar" customers available from 2 August include two free Uber taxi rides, complimentary vouchers worth QAR 300 towards driving lessons, and assistance in applying for a Qatari driving licence with priority registration and a free driving guide book.
To help with the costs of settling into a new country, and for a limited time only, "Life in Qatar" customers who take a Commercial Bank Credit Card will receive bonus reward-points worth up to QAR 1000. These can be used across Qatar to help customers buy essential items for their new homes, cover hidden expenses or simply enjoy a night out in town.
"Life in Qatar" continues to offer the most comprehensive range of benefits available for salaried expatriates in the country. With a dedicated website, www.lifeinqatar.com expats can find extensive information to answer the most frequently asked questions about living in Qatar.
Dean Proctor, Commercial Bank EGM, Chief Consumer & Private Banking said: "We are continuously looking to enhance and innovate our services for all our customers, including new arrivals with our 'Life in Qatar' offer. Consistently helping new arrivals settle in quickly and easily is a priority and we are truly providing the best customer service through launching new benefits and our exceptional account opening times. New arrivals will also benefit from our cutting edge digital services making it easy for them to bank with us anywhere at anytime."
For more information, please contact:
Qatari media
Ibrahim Al-Emadi
Head of Corporate Communications
Commercial Bank
Tel: +974 4475 4748
Email: ibrahim.alemadi@cbq.qa
About Commercial Bank
Commercial Bank has total assets of QAR 119.1 billion as at 30 June 2015. As a full service commercial bank, the Bank offers a full range of corporate, retail and investment banking services as well as owning and operating exclusive Diners Club franchises in Qatar and Oman. The Bank's countrywide network includes 32 full service branches and 156 ATMs.
Profitable every year since incorporation in 1974, continual investment in technology and human capital, together with a strong capital base, provides a solid foundation for continued growth. A successful diversification strategy has expanded Commercial Bank's GCC footprint through strategic partnerships with associated banks, the National Bank of Oman (NBO) in Oman and United Arab Bank (UAB) in the UAE. NBO, the second largest bank in Oman with total assets of OMR 3.2 billion as at 30 June 2015, has 61 conventional branches and 6 Islamic branches in Oman and 1 branch each in Egypt, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. UAB is headquartered in Sharjah, with total assets of AED 26.6 billion as at 30 June 2015, and operates 30 branches across the emirates in the UAE. Building on the successful execution of the Bank's expansion strategy to date, Commercial Bank completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Alternatifbank in Turkey in July 2013.
Commercial Bank enjoys strong credit ratings of (A) from Fitch, (A1) from Moody's and (A-) from Standard & Poor's. The Bank is listed on the Qatar Exchange and was the first Qatari bank to list its Global Depository Receipts (GDRs) as well as bonds on the London Stock Exchange. Commercial Bank's Swiss Franc bond issuance in December 2010, listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, was the first public bond issuance by a Qatari bank in Switzerland. Commercial Bank's latest bond issuance in June 2014 is listed on the Irish stock exchange.
Commercial Bank was awarded "Best retail bank in Qatar" for 2015 by The Asian Banker based on its wide-ranging achievements over the past three years and ambitious future plans. In recognition of the Bank's innovative customer focused products and services provided to SMEs, Commercial Bank also won the prestigious "Best Commercial (SME) Bank of the Year, Qatar" award from The International Banker for the year 2015.
The Bank is dedicated to supporting Qatar's community and social infrastructure through Corporate Social Responsibility programmes and sponsorship of various events. Title sponsorship of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and the Grand Prix of Qatar Moto GP reflects the Bank's promotion of excellence in sports and its keen interest in enhancing Qatar's international sporting reputation. To reinforce Qatar's flourishing cultural environment, Commercial Bank is the strategic partner of the Katara Cultural Village. This collaboration symbolises the Bank's commitment to supporting cultural activities in Qatar and making the country a regional arts and cultural hub.
About Alternatifbank (ABank)
ABank was established in 1991 and has been listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange since 1995. Commercial Bank became the majority shareholder in ABank in 2013 holding a 74.24% stake, following the acquisition of ABank shares of 70.84% from the Anadolu Group and 3.40% through a public tender offer. Anadolu Group remains a significant shareholder retaining 25% of shares in ABank. Currently the Bank owns 74.87% of ABank shares.
ABank is a mid-size Turkish bank that predominately serves medium-sized companies through a country-wide network of 64 branches in 21 cities. ABank provides commercial/corporate banking services and products, with a special focus on the growing segment of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. The Bank's main product ranges cover trade finance instruments, working capital finance, cash management, and portfolio management. The Bank has also recently made a strategic decision to re-enter Retail Banking, targeting the "mass affluent segment" in terms of customer profile with tailor made products.
At 30 June 2015, ABank had total assets of TL 13.2 billion, total loans stood at TL 9.5 billion, customer deposits of TL 6.1 billion and shareholders' equity of TL 1.02 billion.
wwweng.abank.com.tr
© Press Release 2015
