One of the soundest banks in the Middle East, Qatar National Bank is demonstrating high profitability with Return On Average Equity (ROAE) estimated at almost 26 per cent for FY2009, high efficiency and asset quality and strong capitalization. Banks are supported strongly by the Qatar government, which was demonstrated by the purchase of equity securities and some real estate assets held by the banks.

Qatar National Bank is the largest bank in Qatar with an asset market share of almost 40 per cent. The bank has a traditionally close working relationship with the Qatar government and the public sector, which reduces the overall risk profile of the bank’s loan portfolios.

Almost 80 per cent of the bank’s loan portfolio has been focused on corporate banking, though development of retail banking is underway, focusing on high-net-worth individuals and small and medium size businesses (SMEs).