al khaliji opens first Doha retail banking site

Notes and media contacts

Press Contact:
Florence Janin
Senior Executive, Corporate Affairs, al khaliji
Mobile: +974 559 1547

Maitha Al Qader
Principal, Corporate Affairs, al khaliji
Mobile: +974580842/ +971504277427

About al khaliji

al khaliji was incorporated in Doha in January 2007, and completed its IPO and listing on the Doha Securities Market in August. Our aim is to become a major corporate and retail commercial bank across the Gulf and have recruited an experienced international management team and nearly 240 employees to execute this strategy.

Our shareholder structure gives us regional and local strength and depth. The bank's 191 founding shareholders, drawn from Qatar, Oman, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain own 43% of al khaliji's authorized and issued capital. Paid at 50%, their subscription in 312 million shares raised an initial QR1.56bn in ordinary capital. A Gulf-wide Private Placement of 288 million shares (again, paid at 50%) raised another QAR 1.44bln, or 40% of the bank's authorized capital. Following completion of the IPO, Qatari investors hold 17% of the bank's authorised capital, worth an initial QAR 600m paid at 50%. In total, al khaliji has an authorized and issued capital of QR7.2bn divided into 720 million ordinary shares paid at 50% equivalent to QR3.6bn.

Our activities are underpinned by the highest standards of service, easy to understand products, and reliable, innovative technology. Built in response to customer demand for a bank that is designed to meet their needs and their lifestyles, al khaliji is bringing a new banking approach to the region in response to new research findings and customer needs.

al khaliji's key milestones

Since being established in January last year, al khaliji has passed many key milestones on its journey towards delivering what we call Next Generation banking to our customers. Our fresh approach to banking informs everything we do, from communicating important financial information to our shareholders, listening to our customers and how we talk to and treat our fellow colleagues. Highlights so far include:

2007
• January: We establish our first office in Doha's West Bay
• February: A private equity placement is launched and three senior executives appointed
• March: Designs for our branch network are finalised
• April: We launch our highly successful IPO. This attracted 86,547 Qatari investors, who applied for shares worth QR1.37bn, leaving the offer 2.28 times oversubscribed. The IPO of 120 million shares, or 17% of the bank's authorised capital, was worth an initial QR600m, paid at 50%.
• May: The allocation of IPO and Private Placement shares is completed
• June: We make a sponsorship of QAR 500,000 to the American School of Doha; finalise four branch locations and unveil our corporate Vision and Values
• July: Our staff training branch facility is completed. Staff numbers hit 80 and the executive team is further strengthened with Finance and Treasury appointments
• August: Our shares list on the DSM and we launch our "Conversation" by writing to all our shareholders and inviting other stakeholders to participate by giving their views on our website
• September: Building and fit out is well under way on head quarters and training branch. The first training academy is held.
• October: We launch a next generation HR policy as staff numbers swell to almost 200. Negotiates to acquire the banking business of BLC (France) SA assets in UAE, subject to regulatory clearance. Participates in a $2.5bn refinancing deal for QTel with $135m loan.
• November: Participation in the Qatari Capital Markets Day at the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Complete all our appointments to the senior executive team.
• December: We celebrate Qatar National Day with a multi cultural staff event
2008
• January: We contribute $75m as one of the mandated lead arrangers in $700m financing deal for Barwa Real Estate Company. Appointment announcement of our Executive, Treasury.
• February: we announced our financials for the period 9 January, 2007 (date of incorporation) until 31 December 2007. We participated as an endorsement partner in the 2nd GCC Regulators' Summit which took place in Bahrain
• March: al khaliji confirmed participation on Qatar Investor Forum which will take place in New York.
• April: we announced our Q1 2008 Interim Condensed Financial Statements, 180 of al khaliji staff have undergone thorough IT Security Awareness Training. al khaliji and the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority have entered a partnership with Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), the world's premier financial data and business information provider, to develop Qatar's first Business Optimism Index
• May: we received QCB approval to open Islamic banking branches in Qatar and we are joint lead manager for Dhs600m Sukuk issue for Almana Group
• June: we launched retail banking operations in Qatar and opened "al khaliji Qpost Centre" in West Bay. We also received a license from Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) to operate in the UAE for non banking activities
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