4th May 2006

Ansbacher, a wholly owned subsidiary of QNB, has announced the appointment of Eric Lorentz as the Senior Regional Director of Ansbacher Middle East.  Eric and two other senior individuals are based in the company's new offices in Doha, Qatar.

Eric Lorentz, who is fluent in 5 languages including Arabic, has been intimately linked with the region for 23 years. He has joined Ansbacher from Barclays Private Bank, where he recruited and led a successful private banking team that eventually spanned London, Geneva, and Dubai. Mr. Lorentz has also held senior positions with JP Morgan and Citibank in the Middle East -Africa region as well as in New York and London.  

Joining Mr. Lorentz in Doha are Rim Esreb and Scot Laing. Mrs. Esreb joins Ansbacher from Schroders where she was an Associate Director. She has a long experience in the region and is fluent in four languages including Arabic.A Swiss national, Mrs. Esreb has also worked for Bank of America and UBS based in Geneva. Mr. Laing joins the Qatar team from Ansbacher's operations in the Channel Islands (UK) where he was an Investment Manager for the last two years. Previously Mr. Laing was a regional manager for Standard Chartered Grindlays in the Channel Islands (UK). Eric and his team, which is set to grow quickly, will offer bespoke banking services to high net worth clients in the  Middle-East/North-Africa region.

First established in 1894, Ansbacher now has offices in Doha, Dubai, London, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Zurich, Guernsey and Jersey. Ansbacher's products and services to individuals and organizations include private and specialist banking, wealth management, investment advice, yacht finance and trusts.

Eric Lorentz commented:

"The establishment of the team in Doha is a significant strategic move for Ansbacher, helping the bank not only build closer relations with its parent company, Qatar National Bank, but also providing vital on-the-ground support for high net worth clients in the region.

"The team has the correct mix of experience and skills to meet the challenge of establishing a leading private banking operation in the Middle East.   We will be adding to the team, bringing in more senior talented individuals over the coming months, further demonstrating Ansbacher's commitment to the region."

-Ends-

Notes to editors:
The Ansbacher Group, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qatar National Bank (QNB), provides tailored financial solutions to high net worth and institutional clients worldwide. The Group's services span private and specialist banking, wealth management, investment advice, fiduciary services and fund administration. The Group is represented in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Cayman Islands, Bahamas, Dubai and Switzerland.

Established in 1964 as the first Qatari owned commercial bank, QNB is listed on the Qatari Stock Exchange with 50% ownership by the Qatari government and the balance held by public shareholders. It is the largest bank in Qatar with total assets of some $10 billion, controlling around 50% of the assets in the country's banking system. QNB is rated in the top 150 banks in the world in terms of capital strength and has a long-term credit rating of A.

Ansbacher Middle East is the trading name for the Doha and Dubai branches of Ansbacher & Co Limited.  ("A&CL").  This article has been approved by A&CL, authorised and regulated in the UK for deposit taking and investment business by the Financial Services Authority.

For further information, please contact:

Mairi Doyle - Head of Communications
Ansbacher & Co Limited
Two London Bridge
London SE1 9RA
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7089 4700
Direct: +44 (0) 20 7089 4705
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7089 4959
Email: mairi.doyle@ansbacher.com
www.ansbacher.com

Andrew Smith - Account Director
Lansons Communications
24a St John Street
London EC1M 4AY
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7490 8828
Direct: +44 (0) 20 7294 3675
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7490 5460
Email: andys@lansons.com
www.lansons.com

Susanna Walker-Robson
Lansons Communications
Direct  +44 (0)20 7294 3665
Email: susannawr@lansons.com
Web: www.lansons.com   
 
24a St John Street, London, EC1M 4AY    
 
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© Press Release 2006