Doha, 18 March 2009 - Qatar National Bank (QNB) announced the opening of the QNB Card Center, a one-stop solution dedicated to providing personalized and efficient services to the Bank's credit card and debit card customers, as well as to merchant partners. The Card Centre will provide centralised card services on behalf of both QNB and QNB Al Islami.

The QNB Card Center, located at the Bank's C-Ring Road Branch, is open to all QNB card holders. The Card Centre handles all queries related to card billing, payments and requests for emergency and replacement cards, as well as related functions such as the issue and distribution of PIN numbers to new and existing credit and debit card holders.

One of the primary objectives of establishing the QNB Card Center is to provide enhanced services to Merchant Partners in response to all inquiries, in addition to serving the Bank's customers.

Customer Service Officers will provide detailed information on the various card services and promotional offers by the Bank and also help customers enrol for various related e-banking services which are offered under the EAZYLife brand which includes EAZYmobile, EAZYinternet, EAZYSMS and EAZYATM.

A primary function of the center will be to receive and handle credit card applications, tracking of card deliveries to the customer via Q-Post, and handling all inquiries regarding Q-Miles.

The Card Centre will also process refunds for eCash cards - a non-personalized prepaid card which allows users to make payments in lieu of cash at ministries and other government branches in Qatar. 

The QNB Card Center is an extension of the Bank's commitment to enhancing customer service.   

As the leading Bank in Qatar, QNB recognises the value of employing a people-first approach in all its activities and is dedicated to ensuring every new and existing customer receives the highest level of service, complementary to the Bank's broad product portfolio.

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About QNB
Qatar National Bank (QNB) was established in 1964 as the country's first Qatari-owned commercial bank, with an ownership structure split between 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 has the largest distribution network of 42 branches and offices (including 3 mobile branches), in addition to 11 Islamic branches and offices, and more than 154 Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

QNB's international presence is rapidly expanding to include new locations around the world to supplement existing branches in London and Paris and the Representative Office in Iran. In 2007, QNB opened new branches in Yemen, Oman & Kuwait and a Representative Office in Libya. The Bank's Representative Office in Singapore received a new wholesale banking license making it a full fledged Branch of QNB. QNB recently inaugurated its Islamic branch in Sudan, offering a full range of Islamic banking services and products.

As part of the same expansion plan, QNB has acquired 33.2% of the shares of the Jordan based, The Housing Bank for Trade and Finance (HBTF) which also operates in Palestine, Bahrain, Algeria, Syria, UAE, Libya and Iraq. QNB also signed an agreement to establish the Qatar National Bank-Syria jointly with other Syrian private and public sectors institutions with a 49% stake for QNB. The Bank also acquired 23.8% of the shares of Commercial Bank International (CBI) based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), thus making its first entry into the UAE financial market.

In 2008, QNB entered the Tunisian market through acquiring 50% of the Tunisian-Qatari bank.  QNB has also taken a 30% stake in "The Kuwaiti-Qatari Company for Ijara and Investment, which will offer Islamic financing services within the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and has acquired a 20% stake in the Doha-based Al Jazeera Islamic Company.  The bank recently received approval from Qatar Financial Center to establish a new investment company; QNB Capital, which be providing investment banking services.

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. QNB is constantly striving to provide intelligent banking solutions and its range of products and services, and delivery channels across all disciplines continues to be unrivalled. 

QNB was the first conventional bank in Qatar to offer Islamic Banking products and services through QNB Al Islami and the first Qatari bank to launch equity funds for companies listed in the Doha Securities Market.

The London-based Ansbacher, QNB's Wealth Management and Private Banking subsidiary, operates in Switzerland, Channel Islands, the Bahamas, Dubai International Financial Center and Qatar Financial Center. Ansbacher was the first financial institution to be granted a license to operate at Qatar Financial Centre providing a wide range of wealth management services in Qatar and the region.

QNB has the highest credit rating among regional banks from leading rating agencies including Standard & Poor's, Moody's, Fitch, and Capital Intelligence. The Bank has also been the recipient of many awards for its innovative products, services and remarkable performance from leading international specialized financial publications.

QNB has an active community support program and sponsors various social, educational, and sports events.

For further information, please contact QNB's Public Relations Department at (974) 4252591, Fax (974) 4252589, email: PR@qnb.com.qa or visit QNB's website www.qnb.com.qa

© Press Release 2009