Doha, March 31 2015

QNB, "One of the World's Strongest Banks", has officially started operating its Ho Chi Min Representative Office" in Vietnam after receiving all the necessary and required regulatory approvals.

A prestigious Official Office opening event took place at The Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers in Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of Monday 30th March 2015 in the presence of leading finance sector dignitaries and business officials to commemorate this important development within QNB's International Expansion Strategy. Approximately 90 guests were in attendance and speakers on the night included:  HE The Qatari Ambassador to Vietnam - Abdulla Bin Ibrahim Al Hamar, QNB Regional GM (Asia) - Mr M. Chidambaram and a Senior Representative from The State Bank of Vietnam.

At the heart of the QNB Vietnam Office business proposition is the promotion of and stimulation of developing "East-West" flows of trade between Qatar and Vietnam. QNB's Representative Office will now take on the role of extending intermediary services in the field of investment and trade with Middle East companies that are looking to establish their business in Vietnam or looking to invest money in the country. In addition, QNB will also act as a liaison with Vietnamese companies that are looking to expand into the growing Middle East market and facilitate investments.

The opening of the QNB Vietnam Office is another addition to the Group's growing network of  locations in key markets around the world. As part of its Asian expansion plans, the Vietnamese economy enjoys one of the fastest growth rates amongst emerging markets. In 2014, the Vietnam economy grew by 6% and it is projected to sustain the same growth rate in 2015. Supported by its strong economic growth, rapid banking penetration, solid current account surplus due to robust growth in export, tourism and private remittances, the Vietnamese banking sector has been one of the fastest growing performers in the region.

QNB currently operates in more than 27 countries and across 3 continents. It was recently ranked "The Best Bank Brand by Value in The Middle East and Africa" by Brand Finance and "One of the World's Top 50 Safest Banks" by Global Finance in 2014.

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About QNB Group
Qatar National Bank (QNB Group), was 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 the biggest bank in Qatar and leading financial institution in the Middle East and North Africa Region with a market share around 45% of banking sector assets.

Bloomberg Markets, the leading provider of Business, Financial and Economic news ranked QNB as "One of the World's Strongest Banks" again in 2014.

The Global Finance Magazine ranked QNB as "One of The Top 50 Safest Banks in the World" in 2013, and the following year, it was recognized as "The Best Bank in The Middle East" by Euromoney Magazine.

For 2014, the Group recorded net profit of QR10.5 billion (USD2.9 billion), up by 10.3% compared to last year. Total assets increased by 9.7% from December 2013 to reach QR486 billion (USD133.6 billion), the highest ever achieved by the Group.

QNB Group continues to witness robust international expansion. QNB has acquired a 20.0% stake (both ordinary and QNB convertible preference shares) in Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (Ecobank), the leading pan-African bank. In 2013, the Group successfully completed the acquisition of a controlling stake of the second largest private bank in Egypt, QNB ALAHLI (QNBAA)), amounting to 97.12%. 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), 40% in Commercial Bank International (CBI) based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 99.96% of QNB Tunisia, 51% in the Iraqi-based Mansour Bank, 49% of the Libyan based Bank of Commerce & Development and 20% stake in Al Jazeera Finance Company in Doha. QNB Group also retains 51% stake in QNB-Syria and an 83% stake in QNB Indonesia (previously known as QNB Kesawan). In 2013, QNB Group also opened a representative office in China and established a fully owned subsidiary in India under the name of "QNB India Private Limited".

The Group's presence through its subsidiaries and associate companies extends to more than 27 countries across three continents providing a comprehensive range of advanced products and services. The total number of employees is more than 14,500 operating through more than 615 locations, with an ATM network of more than 1,310 machines.

The Group provides an array of investment banking services through its subsidiary, QNB Capital, to corporate, government and institutional clients within Qatar and globally. QNB Capital has one of the best corporate finance teams in the GCC region offering extensive transaction experience and in depth advisory - including mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt capital markets, and project financing advisory. The Group also offers brokerage services through its subsidiary, QNB Financial Services (QNB FS), the first independently regulated, licensed brokerage company launched by a bank in Qatar. QNB FS offers a multi-market, multi-currency trading platform with access to several markets.

QNB Group is among the highest rated regional banks from leading credit rating agencies including Standard & Poor's (A+), Moody's (Aa3), Fitch (A+), and Capital Intelligence (AA-). The Bank has also been the recipient of many awards from leading international specialised financial publications.

Based on the Group's continuous strong financial performance and its expanding international presence, QNB is currently ranked as the most valuable bank brand in The Middle East and Africa, with a current world ranking of 79 in 2015 and a brand valuation of $2.6 billion according to Brand Finance Magazine.

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) 4497 5704, Fax (+974) 4425 2589, email: PR@qnb.com or visit QNB's website www.qnb.com

© Press Release 2015