Qatar National Bank-Syria to start its IPO on 12 July 2009

Notes and media contacts

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 offers a full range of Retail, Corporate, Investment, Treasury, Wealth Management, and Islamic Banking products and services for individuals, corporate institutions and government entities in Qatar as well as internationally.

QNB has the largest distribution network in Qatar, comprising 44 branches and offices in addition to 11 Islamic branches and offices operated by QNB Al Islami, and more than 156 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 23 countries including branches in Yemen, Oman Kuwait & Singapore as well as Representative Offices in Iran & Libya. An Islamic branch was recently inaugurated in Sudan, offering a full range of Islamic banking services and products.

QNB has also extended its regional reach by acquiring shares in various financial institutions including 33.5% 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 a 20% stake in the Doha-based Al Jazeera Islamic Company. QNB also signed an agreement to establish QNB-Syria jointly with other Syrian private and public sectors institutions with a 49% stake for QNB.

The Bank recently established a new investment company "QNB Capital" 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 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 from leading international specialized financial publications for its innovative products, services and remarkable performance.

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:

(974) 4252477
Fax (974) 4252589

Mr. Ali Shareef Al-Emadi, QNB's Group CEO