QNB Group, the Largest Bank in the Middle East and Africa, Delivers Another Record Results for Q3 2017

Press release

Published October 12th, 2017 - 09:32 GMT

For the first nine months of 2017, QNB's net profit increased to QR10.3 billion ($2.8 billion), up by 6 percent year-on-year.

QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, announced its results for the nine months ended 30 September 2017, which is the highest in the history of QNB Group.

For the nine months ended 30 September 2017, net profit increased to QAR10.3 billion (USD2.8 billion), up by 6% compared to last year, demonstrating QNB Group’s success in maintaining robust growth while controlling costs.

Total assets reached QAR792 billion (USD218 billion), up by 11% from September 2016, the highest ever achieved by the Group. This was driven by a growth rate of 14% in loans and advances to reach QAR579 billion (USD159 billion). Further, QNB Group’s deposit mobilisation efforts helped increase customer funding by 15% to reach QAR574 billion (USD158 billion) from September 2016. This led to the reduction in the Group’s loans to deposits ratio to 100.8%, compared with 101.3% in September 2016. This clearly demonstrates the success of QNB’s strategy to diversify its funding sources.

QNB Group’s efficiency ratio (cost to income ratio) dropped to 29%, from 30.1%, due to prudent cost controls and strong revenue generating capabilities.

The Group was able to maintain the ratio of non-performing loans to gross loans at 1.8% and coverage ratio reaching 111%, which effectively demonstrate high quality of Group’s loan book and robust management of credit risk.

In September 2017 QNB Group successfully completed the issuance of Formosa bonds under its Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) programme and listed on the Taipei Stock Exchange. Under this programme, a US$ 630 million tranche was issued with a maturity of 30 years callable every 5 years. The issuance was part of QNB Group’s on-going strategy to ensure diversification of funding in terms of type, tenor and geography.

Also the above is an example of a highly diversified international and local funding base spread across various geographies in terms of currencies, tenors and product mix.

During July, QNB Group commenced its operations in the city of Mumbai, the economic capital of the Republic of India. This network expansion comes in support of its vision to become a leading bank in the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia by 2020, in addition to establishing a foothold in highly competitive markets.

Total Equity increased by 2% from September 2016 to reach QAR77 billion (USD21 billion) as at 30 September 2017. Earnings per Share reached QAR10.7 (USD2.95) for the nine months ended 30 September 2017, compared to QAR10.3 (USD2.83) last year.

Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) calculated as per the QCB and Basel III requirements stood at 15.4% as at 30 September 2017 (18.0% including profitability up to 30 September 2017), higher than the regulatory minimum requirements of the Qatar Central Bank and Basel Committee.

Also it should be noted that QNB is now the most valuable banking brand in the MEA region, with the value of its brand increased to USD3.8 billion, to rise to the 60th place globally, in addition to attaining the highest rating of AA+ in brand strength, making it the only Qatari banking brand among the world’s top 100.

The total number of staff for the Group is more than 27,800 operating from 1,230 locations and 4,200 ATMs serving more than 21 million customers.

Background Information

Qatar National Bank

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 (including 3 mobile branches), in addition to 12 Islamic branches and offices operated by QNB Al Islami, and more than 160 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.