Students gain real life work experience
Doha, Qatar: Commercial Bank, one of the leading full service banks in Qatar, is pleased to announce that 64 students have begun the "Young Bankers" Summer Internship Programme. The opportunity is exclusive to the children of Commercial Bank customers. The young trainees, aged between 13 to 18 years old, have the chance to experience the real life working environment of a Bank as well as the ability to earn their own salary for the course of the programme.
The students are first trained in how Commercial Bank's Digital Banking and ATM services operate, to ensure they have an in-depth and practical working knowledge of the Bank's Mobile, Internet and self-service solutions. The students are then placed at one of the Commercial Bank's branches and tasked with promoting the Bank's alternative banking channels to customers, informing them of ways to conveniently bank without visiting a branch in person. Throughout the programme, the "Young Bankers" will learn new business and communication skills in a customer-facing environment, whilst under the assistance and guidance of professional Commercial Bank branch staff.
Commercial Bank Chief Human Capital Officer, Ms. Sharoq Ibrahim Al Malki said: "This internship is yet another strong Commercial Bank initiative where our business objectives align with our Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) to create a meaningful and purposeful project that helps in the development of Qatari youth, who one day, may well be future business leaders. The 'Young Bankers' programme contributes towards the human pillar of the National Vision 2030."
Mrs. Reham Thawabi, Commercial Bank's AGM, Head of Retail Branches added: "This opportunity enables students to gain relevant business knowledge and an insight into working life which will be invaluable in helping them shape their future careers.
They have the chance to learn new skills and be involved first hand in meaningful duties. We have equipped them with state of the art technology devices such as iPads, that enable them to demonstrate with ease to our customers, how safe, reliable and convenient it is to do some of their day to day banking via the internet without even having to visit a branch."
Parents of the trainees have commended the programme, adding comments about how it is helpful for their children to be ready for the future and how this training allows the students to value their earnings, understanding more about financial money management, because they worked hard for it themselves.
Additional advantages gained include how their self-confidence has grown through dealing with adults as customers and colleagues, learning about business etiquette in the corporate world.
-Ends-
For more information, please contact:
Qatari media
Mona Abdallah
Head of Corporate Communications
Commercial Bank
Tel: +974 4449 0169
Email: m.abdallah@cbq.qa
About Commercial Bank
Commercial Bank has total assets of QAR 112 billion as at 30 June 2014. 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 34 full service branches and 150 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 3.5 billion as at 30 June 2014, has 62 branches in Oman and 1 branch each in Egypt, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. UAB is headquartered in Sharjah, with total assets of AED 25.1 billion as at 30 June 2014, and operates 27 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. Additionally, 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.
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.
ABank is a mid-size Turkish bank that predominately serves medium-sized companies through a country-wide network of 73 branches in 27 cities (as of 30 June 2014). 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 2014, ABank had total assets of TL 11.3 billion, total loans stood at TL 7.6 billion, customer deposits of TL 5.3 billion and shareholders' equity of TL 881 million.
wwweng.abank.com.tr
© Press Release 2014
