Includes the first brokerage unit by a bank in Qatar

Doha, 18 May 2011 - Qatar National Bank (QNB) Group, the country's largest integrated financial institution and one of the leading banks in the MENA region, today announced the launch of its subsidiary QNB Financial Services (QNBFS) following licensing by Qatar Financial Markets Authority and successful membership by Qatar Exchange.

QNBFS will offer a range of financial services to foreign institutional investors, mutual funds, domestic institutional investors, high-net worth individuals, retail and corporate clients including brokerage, research and advisory services with asset management and custody eventually completing the suite.  QNB Group is the first bank to launch an independently regulated licensed brokerage unit in Qatar.

As part of a phased rollout of services QNBFS is currently launching its financial brokerage service which will be available to Qatari citizens, residents and non-resident individuals and institutions in Qatar as well as abroad. Clients will have the convenience of setting up their trading accounts, supported by a state-of-the-art electronic trading platform, eazytrade which currently provides clients access to stocks listed on the Qatar, UAE and Omani securities markets. The MENA markets and other major international markets are expected to be available to investors in the near future.

Clients will also have access to top-tier research and analysis provided by a dedicated team of financial analysts at QNBFS covering various sectors including Banking, Insurance, Energy & Petrochemicals, Telecom, Real Estate, Industrial and Services amongst others.

Additionally, clients will also have the ability to seek specialist advisory services to help manage risk effectively whilst making investment decisions. QNBFS service model is built around the client; emphasizing proactive support, education, investment ideas and strategies to enable an educated decision process

Mr. Ali Shareef Al Emadi, QNB Group Chief Executive Officer stated: "Through QNBFS Brokerage, clients will have access to one of the best advisory and research teams in the MENA region, supported by a strong and reliable financial institution. In the course of its full establishment QNB Financial Services will provide an even broader range of products and services including fixed income, asset management, custody and structured products."

Mr. Andre Went, CEO of Qatar Exchange said "Today's announcement marks a pivotal moment in the continued developed of the financial services sector in Qatar.  The entry into the market by QNB as the first bank to begin offering brokerage services illustrates the positive progress that our market is making.  I am delighted to welcome QNB Financial Services as a member of Qatar Exchange".

With the launch of QNBFS the QNB Group is hoping to fulfill the needs of many high-net-worth investors who have been seeking both access to markets as well as on the ground specialist fundamental research and analysis linked to these markets.

QNBFS Brokerage has also launched an advanced online trading system eazytrade which comes coupled with a range of tools and solutions to help account holders evaluate and manage their investments.

 A high-performance version of this trading space will also be available in the form of an electronic trading application, which will suit the more advanced needs of corporate clients including professional fund managers, portfolio managers, and very active investors who require extensive customizable features.

Both electronic trading platforms will transmit real-time stock prices to clients for each stock exchange where trading options are available. 

QNBFS's systems are integrated across markets and are supported by a dedicated brokerage technology team.  A single online interface and a universally shared platform add value at every point of the trading cycle, from pre-trade research and analytics to trading, order entry, tracking transactions and reporting.

QNBFS is located at Qatar Sports Complex in West Bay.

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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 has the largest distribution network in Qatar, comprising 44 branches and offices in addition to 16 Islamic branches and offices operated by QNB Al Islami, and more than 175 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 24 countries including branches in Yemen, Oman Kuwait & Singapore as well as Representative Offices in Iran & Libya and an Islamic branch in Sudan. 

QNB has also extended its regional reach by acquiring shares in various financial institutions including 35% 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 50.8% stake in QNB-Syria, a private stock company established jointly with other Syrian private and public sector institutions which started operations mid November 2009.

QNB Capital was established in 2008, 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.

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) 44252477
Fax (+974) 44252589
Email: PR@qnb.com.qa   
QNB's website www.qnb.com.qa

© Press Release 2011