Doha, 17 March 2012 - QNB, Qatar's leading bank and the MENA region's most valuable banking brand according to a recent survey by The Banker, announced the launch of its new mobile banking application for customers using Android-based mobile communication devices.

Android has become one of the world's most popular platforms for users of smart phones and tablets and benefits from its use by a wide range of manufacturers, which was one of the primary considerations for QNB whilst working towards application compatibility and launch in Qatar. 

QNB launched the original service in the summer of 2010, and has been the most successful Bank in Qatar offering the service to customers across multiple platforms and has since been providing banking functionality to Blackberry and iPhone users as well as users of a range of smart handsets. With the latest addition of the new Android application, customers have additional options for using the full functionality of this mobile application service.

The application can be downloaded from Google Play (www.play.google.com) by searching for QNB. The application will be clearly marked with the QNB logo. Google Play is operated by Google, the owners of the Android platform, and is therefore the recommended secure download site for QNB's new Android application.

Once installed, customers can avail the full functionality of QNB's mobile banking services. These include fund transfers, bill payment, credit card payment, account reviews and more. It offers rich content with account and card information and statement, settlement and balances, money transfer to anywhere in the world and utility bill payment and top-ups with real-time bill updates.

The application is available for free download and using a Wi-Fi connection or Edge/3G network access, provides users with the ability to manage their banking services from anywhere in the world and is especially useful whilst travelling outside Qatar and is the latest extension of QNB's praiseworthy suite of electronic banking solutions.  

This new application has helped position QNB as a technologically advanced banking partner. The Bank recently announced the launch of the Qatar's first mobile NFC-based contactless payment solution the QNB MasterCard PayPass, during the second annual QITCOM conference and exhibition in March 2012, which won the conference's Best Mobile Services "mServices" award.

At the corresponding event in 2011, QNB mobile banking application won the Best e-Services Solution award.

About QNB Group
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 Group has steadily grown to be among the largest banks in the Middle East and North Africa Region and is by far the leading financial institution in the country with a market share exceeding 45% of banking sector assets.

QNB Group has witnessed rapid international expansion in the past few years and operates in 24 countries around the world through its network, subsidiaries and associate companies employing about 7,000 staff from 334 branch and offices that are supported by an ATM network that exceeds 600 machines.

The Group has also extended its regional reach by acquiring stakes in various financial institutions including 35% stake in the Jordan-based, The Housing Bank for Trade and Finance (HBTF), 24% in Commercial Bank International (CBI) based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 50% of the Tunisian-Qatari Bank, 23% in the Iraqi-based Mansour Bank and 20% stake in Al Jazeera Finance Company in Doha. QNB Group also retains 51% stake in QNB-Syria, a private stock company established jointly with other Syrian private and public sector institutions which started operations mid November 2009 and operates today more than 15 branches in the Syrian Republic.

QNB Capital, a subsidiary of QNB Group, 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 Financial Services (QNB FS) commenced trading on the Qatar Exchange in May 2011 and is the first independently regulated, licensed brokerage unit launched by a bank in Qatar.  QNB FS brokerage offers a multi-market, multi-currency trading platform with access to several GCC markets including Qatar, UAE, and Oman.  It also provides a trading solution for buying and selling securities on the US and European markets.  QNB FS' technology platform is enhanced by its in-house research team who provide fundamental research and analysis, sector reviews, and daily commentary on QE listed equities.  Its advisory and brokerage teams are structured to service institutional investors, mutual funds, high-net worth individuals, retail and corporate clients locally, regionally, and globally. 

QNB Group 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 Group has an active community support program and sponsors various social, educational, and sporting events

For further information, please contact QNB's Public Relations Department at (+974) 44252477, Fax (+974) 44252589, email: PR@qnb.com.qa or visit QNB's website www.qnb.com.qa

© Press Release 2012