Doha, 10 November 2009 - Qatar National Bank (QNB) announced the launch of QNB Banque Privée (Suisse), the full private banking subsidiary of the QNB Group in Switzerland. QNB Banque Privée (Suisse) is incorporated in Geneva, Switzerland, and received its license from the Swiss regulator recently.

This establishment in Switzerland makes QNB Group one of only a handful of GCC financial institutions to establish operations in Switzerland.  It is also an extension of QNB Group existing private banking services in Europe which are currently offered through QNB branches in London and Paris.

Alongside London and Paris, where QNB already has branches, Geneva is one of the world's most important financial hubs and is generally recognized as the center of excellence in Private Banking.  

Led by a team of seasoned bankers with many decades of experience between them, QNB Banque Privée (Suisse) will provide further market capabilities to QNB's longstanding Qatari customers looking to expand their investments internationally, as well as cater to the needs of high-net-worth individuals in the countries in which QNB has operations through its branch network, affiliates and subsidiaries.

The services offered are underpinned by the fundamentals of confidentiality, trust and convenience, and reinforce the ability of QNB Group to build long-term relationships with all its customers.

QNB Banque Privée (Suisse) also enjoys a very close relationship with QNB Private, the private banking arm of the QNB Group in Qatar. Thanks to this close relationship, clients now have access to the unique combination of both international expertise and solutions, and a local banking relationship. From every day banking needs to investment and wealth management advice and solutions, QNB offers a broad range of innovative banking services tailored to suit the lifestyles of its customers.

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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 11 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 49% stake in QNB-Syria, a private stock company established jointly with other Syrian private and public sector institutions which will start its operations at the end of this year.

The Bank recently established a new investment company "QNB Capital" 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
Tel: (974) 4252477
Fax (974) 4252589
email: PR@qnb.com.qa  
QNB's website www.qnb.com.qa

© Press Release 2009