1. Press Release
QNB tops the World’s Strongest Banks on Bloomberg’s Markets’ list
Doha, May, 5th
; 2013
Bloomberg Markets, the leading provider of Business, Financial and Economic
news has released its 2012 ranking of the World’s Strongest Banks, in which
QNB has ranked as Number 1. The 2012 ranking included 78 banks worldwide,
with QNB being the only bank in the MENA Region.
Commenting on the 2012 ranking Mr. Ali Shareef Al Emadi, QNB’s GCEO
stated “we are very pleased with QNB being ranked on the top of the list of the
strongest banks in the world by Bloomberg. This is a clear indication of the
strengths of the bank”.
The 78 banks included in Bloomberg’s ranking included some of the largest and
most renowned financial institutions in the world. The ranking is based on five
criteria for banks with Total Assets of over US$100 billion: Tier 1 Capital to
Risk Weighted Assets with 40% weight, Non-Performing Assets to Total Assets
with 20% weight, Loan Loss Reserve to Non-Performing Assets with 20%
weight, Deposits to Funding with 15% weight, and Efficiency (Cost to Revenue)
with 5% weight. QNB entered the ranking for the first time, as its level of Total
Assets surpassed the US$100 billion in 2012; the threshold of being included in
the list. Bloomberg ranked banks on each criterion and the ranking positions
were weighted and combined to determine the banks’ overall score.
QNB Group has witnessed a strong growth in the past five years across the range
of business activities with an expanded presence in the region and in select
markets; all part of its 2017 Strategy of being the Top Bank in the Middle East
and Africa region. Despite achieving a strong growth of 30% in Loans per year
in the five years ending in 2012, QNB has maintained one the lowest non-
performing assets with the highest coverage ratio amongst all banks in the
Bloomberg’s ranking. This is a clear reflection of the successful outcome of the

2. conservative approach towards risk adopted by QNB Group. At the same time,
QNB has recorded a 27% increase in Net Profit per year in the past five years,
allowing it to be the most profitable financial institution in the Middle East and
North Africa region. In fact, for 2012 QNB has also the top ranking for loans,
deposits and shareholders’ equity for banks in the MENA region.
On QNB Group expansion plans, Mr. Al Emadi commented “With the entry into
Egypt, we are currently operating in 25 countries around the world, while just
less than 10-years ago our international presence was limited to two overseas
branches – London and Paris. While National Societe General Bank in Egypt
represents the most significant acquisition to date, we have solidified our stake in
a number of institutions in the past two years including QNB – Tunis, Bank of
Commerce and Development in Libya, Commercial Bank International in the
UAE and Mansour Bank in Iraq. We have also acquired a controlling stake in
Bank Kesawan in Indonesia, which has been rebranded to QNB – Kesawan”.
Top 10 Banks as per Bloomberg’s World’s Strongest Banks
Rank Institution Country
1 Qatar National Bank Qatar
2 Oversea-Chinese Banking Singapore
3 Canada Imperial Bank of Commerce Canada
4 Royal Bank of Canada Canada
5 DBS Group Singapore
6 United Overseas Bank Singapore
7 Bank of Nova Scotia Canada
8 Toronto-Dominion Bank Canada
9 Citigroup US
10 Hang Seng Bank Hong Kong
Photo Caption:
- Mr. Ali Shareef Al Emadi GCEO QNB
- QNB HQ

3. 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 largest bank 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.
The Group recorded a net profit of QR2.1 billion during the first quarter of 2013, up by
6.7% compared to the same period last year, demonstrating QNB Group’s success
across business activities and the ability to achieve strong growth in profitability for the
benefit of shareholders. Total assets increased by 22.2% since 31 March 2012 to
QR380 billion, the highest ever achieved by the Group.
QNB Group continued to witness robust international expansion as the Group
successfully completed the acquisition of a controlling stake in Egypt's NSGB amounting
to 97.12% during Q1, 2013, opening the way to launch QNB AlAhli in Egypt. 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 the QNB-Tunisia, 51% in the Iraqi-based Mansour Bank, 49% of the
Libyan based Commerce & Development Bank and 20% stake in Al Jazeera Finance
Company in Doha. QNB Group also retains 51% stake in QNB-Syria and a 70% stake in
QNB Kesawan in Indonesia.
With the addition of QNB AlAhli, the Group’s presence through its subsidiaries and
associate companies increased to 25 countries providing a comprehensive range of
advanced products and services. The total number of staff exceeded 13,000 operating
from over 560 locations, with an ATM network exceeding 1,150 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 specialized financial publications.
Based on the Group’s continuous strong performance and the expanding international
presence, the bank is currently ranked as the most valuable brand in the MENA region,
with a current world ranking of 120 in 2013.
QNB Group has an active community support program and sponsors various social,
educational, and sporting events.
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For further information, please contact QNB’s Public Relations Department at (+974)
44975704, Fax (+974) 44252589, email: PR@qnb.com.qa or visit QNB’s website
www.qnb.com.qa