Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali bin Jabor Al Thani, Chairman, The Commercial Bank of Qatar
Beginning with the vision of its founding board members and Hussain Alfardan in 1975, this fledgling enterprise has expanded remarkably, with an ever-growing network of branches across Qatar and regional alliances in the UAE and Oman.
Its steady double-digit growth, with the support and guidance of His Highness The Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, had been made possible with the help of visionary board members, dedicated staff and loyal customers.
Ten esteemed gentlemen provided the driving force and foresight to lay down the building blocks for the Bank. The board’s guidance and leadership continue to be sources of motivation and inspiration for all of us, and for that we are truly grateful.
Commercial Bank today is one of the foremost businesses in Qatar and the second-largest commercial bank in the country, measured by total assets, shareholders’ equity and market capitalisation.
Rewarded with prime credit ratings, Commercial Bank has nearly a 40-year track record of profitable operations. Providing services based on trustworthiness and underpinned by strong corporate values, the Bank has grown with a diversified revenue structure, good asset quality, diversified funding sources and a strong capital base.
The scale of economic activity in Qatar, mirrored by Commercial Bank’s own multi-faceted strategy, has enabled robust growth in all of the Bank’s core businesses.
Our range of Retail Banking, bank card services, Wealth Management, Corporate Banking, Trade Finance and Internet Banking services has allowed us to play an integral role in the growth and prosperity of Qatar.
Ongoing investments in new products, human capital and technology, coupled with strategic diversification into new business areas, have resulted in sustained growth and strong operating performance year on year.
Our focus on Trade Finance and private-sector growth, with increased attention to risk management, liquidity and successful regional diversification, has firmly established Commercial Bank as a major GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) financial institution.
Indeed, the Bank has expanded its GCC footprint through strategic alliances with the National Bank of Oman and United Arab Bank in the UAE. Building on the successful execution of the Bank’s regional expansion strategy to date, in July 2013 Commercial Bank acquired a majority stake in Alternatifbank in Turkey. Despite the global economic recession, Commercial Bank’s growth and profits have remained steady. Strongly capitalised and with targeted sustainable growth and a solid business plan, the Bank remains recognised as one of the region’s leading financial institutions.
The group’s expanded regional presence has done little, if anything, to detract from its commitment to remain at the heart of the development and diversification of Qatar’s own economy.
In line with Qatar National Vision 2030, we have encouraged the increasing diversification of the nation’s economy and continued to support the organic growth of independent businesses by providing bespoke financial services to companies and individuals actively engaged in growing the country's infrastructure.
We have invested in skilled manpower, technology and risk-management systems. Additionally, we continue to serve as a major local partner for the government of Qatar, offering a comprehensive range of Corporate Banking, treasury support, investment and transaction banking, Corporate Finance and advisory services for both local and international companies.
We are proud to be inspired by, part of and wholly committed to Qatar, under the guidance and leadership of His Highness The Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Guided by the visionary leadership of the Emir and the government of Qatar, the country and its people have flourished, and Commercial Bank is proud to have played a part in that process.
As a Qatari Bank firmly rooted in traditional values but with ambitious aims, we will always treat our employees, shareholders and customers as family. We believe that we have a special responsibility to our entire staff and all of our shareholders, as well as a particular responsibility to future generations, to build a strong bridge between the past, the present and the future through skilful and farsighted economic management.
In this way, we will play our part to build a bright future for the people of Qatar. Commercial Bank is a bank of Qatar, for the people of Qatar, meeting, even surpassing, their needs, their wishes and their aspirations. I have no doubt that our success will continue to grow just as Qatar’s steady influence will continue to flourish.
The future holds both opportunities and challenges, but we at Commercial Bank have faith in our country and people, which can only mean great things for our shared future.