23 May 2016
· QFB expects to see increasing demand for real estate investment in the UK and Europe from Qatari and GCC investors.

· JLL is the world's second largest publicly traded commercial real estate brokerage firm and UK's largest UK property adviser with more than 280 corporate offices and operations across 80 countries worldwide.

Doha - Qatar First Bank L.L.C. (QFB), a leading Shari'ah compliant bank based in Qatar offering investment opportunities and innovative financial solutions with local, regional and international reach, announced the signing of an agreement with JLL, in order to offer shareholders and clients the ability to source real estate opportunities based on their specific requirements and budget.

Signed at QFB's Private Banking Lounge in Doha, the agreement provides specialised real estate services to individuals and corporates seeking to add value to their portfolios by owning, occupying and investing in real estate across the world.

Nizar Ahmadi, QFB's Head of Private Banking & Wealth Management, said:

"QFB, which has recently had a successful listing of its shares on the Qatar Stock Exchange, is continuing to execute on its strategy of shifting from being investment focused to investor focused."

Ahmadi added: "By partnering with JLL, and in line with the increased appetite for real estate investments globally, our shareholders, as well as private, corporate and institutional clients have now the opportunity to benefit from JLL's real estate expertise through more than 280 corporate offices that have operations across 80 countries."

"This is another milestone for the bank, and we will continue to invest in our Sharia'h compliant services and products. These, span across our business lines including corporate & institutional banking, private banking & wealth management, treasury & investments, as well as private equity and real estate." Ahmadi concluded.

Scott Strachan, Executive Director - Alternative Investments at QFB, said:

"This agreement is in line with our strategy to position QFB as a trusted advisor and gateway for investors who wish to tap into innovative, Shari'ah-compliant, financial solutions and investment opportunities in local, regional and global markets. We are at the beginning of a new era and partnering with JLL is part of our efforts to identify and seize new attractive opportunities, deliver excellence and robust returns for our clients, and build a strong brand."

"JLL have access to one of the broadest catalogues of real estate opportunities as well having extensive research capabilities to support it." Strachan concluded.

Will McKintosh, JLL's Director and Joint-Head of Residential for MENA, said:

"This is a fantastic opportunity for both Parties. Since the very beginning we have always found the team at QFB to be extremely professional and proactive in dealing with their clients and our mutual client's needs.  The result will be a more cohesive and wider range of services for all our clients and a mutual benefit to both QFB and JLL."

QFB previously announced the development of a pioneering open architecture private banking platform, backed by an exceptional international network of partners, which offers shareholders and clients a wide range of financial solutions to grow, manage and protect their wealth and assets. The platform is supported by an experienced team of bankers, with a dedicated team of world class female relationship managers, available to ensure that client needs are properly addressed in total professionalism, comfort and discretion.

-Ends-

About QFB:
Qatar First Bank (QFB) is one of the first independent Shari'ah compliant financial institutions regulated by the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority. Launched in 2009 as an investment bank, QFB has since evolved to broaden its offering to combine the best of a private bank with bespoke investment solutions tailored for the protection, preservation and growth of wealth. QFB has a diversified shareholder base of prominent individuals and institutions from Qatar and the GCC. QFB's team of professionals have the knowledge and expertise to provide world class, exclusive and cutting edge financial solutions underpinned by the Bank's commitment to deliver excellence in all aspects of business.

www.qfb.com.qa

About JLL:
JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a professional services and investment management firm offering specialized real estate services to clients seeking increased value by owning, occupying and investing in real estate. A Fortune 500 company with annual fee revenue of $5.2 billion and gross revenue of $6 billion, JLL has more than 280 corporate offices, operates in 80 countries and has a global workforce of approximately 60,000.  On behalf of its clients, the firm provides management and real estate outsourcing services for a property portfolio of 4.0 billion square feet, or 372 million square meters, and completed $138 billion in sales, acquisitions and finance transactions in 2015. Its investment management business, LaSalle Investment Management, has $58.3 billion of real estate assets under management. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. 
 
For information, please contact:
QFB: Mohamed Imran, Marketing Officer on:
·         Email: marketing@qfb.com.qa

GREY Doha: Denise Yammine Chouity, Group Account Director on: 
·         Tel: + 974 4428 3111
·         Mobile: + 974 33318761
·         Email: denise.yamine@greydoha.com

JLL: Stan Ennor-Glynn, Associate Director JLL
·         Direct: +971 4 426 6911        
·         UAE Mobile: +971 50 87 50 007
·         Qatar Mobile: +974 3105 8717
·         Email: Stan.ennor-glynn@eu.jll.com

© Press Release 2016