QNB Group

Qatar National Bank, better known as QNB Group, was established in 1964 as the first Qatari-owned commercial bank. From a single branch in Doha, it has grown into the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, with a presence in over 28 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe. The bank employs around 31,000 people and serves 36 million customers through 900 locations, making it a cornerstone of Qatar's economy and a key player in regional finance.

Ownership is split evenly between the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and public shareholders, giving QNB a rare combination of sovereign backing and private market participation. This structure has supported its expansion into markets like Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and most recently Syria, where it is expanding digital payments with Mastercard. The bank's strategy balances international growth with strong domestic roots, and it has recently partnered with State Street for a new custody model in Qatar, while also extending a $100 million facility to Asia Digital Engineering for MRO expansion.

QNB's brand identity leans on stability and innovation, reflected in its role as an Official Mastercard Race Partner for the McLaren Formula 1 team at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix. It has also won accolades like Best Digital Bank in Qatar at the MEED MENA Banking Excellence Awards 2026. However, customer reviews on Trustpilot point to dissatisfaction with customer service and outdated technology practices, such as mandatory two-step verification on all online purchases. [edit]