Barwa Bank set to start operations

| Friday, October 30, 2009
Barwa Bank, a major new financial services provider in Qatar yesterday announced the soft launch of its operations in Doha.

Established in Doha with an authorised capital of QR1bn, Barwa Bank is licensed and regulated by the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) and is a fully owned subsidiary of Barwa Real Estate Company.

Built on the firm principles of Shariah finance, the bank will provide an inclusive and friendly retail banking environment. It is also committed to being a first class local employer, with a comprehensive staff training programme to ensure the delivery of excellence in customer service, the bank’s officials said.

The main branch, located on Doha’s Grand Hamad Street, will have both men and women’s branches and will offer current, savings and fixed deposit accounts with a view to rolling out a range of innovative banking products and services in the coming months.

Customers can currently access bank services via ATM, mobile phone banking, e-banking and 24 hour customer call centre.

Barwa Bank also yesterday announced that it has been appointed as Mandated Lead Arranger by Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company (Qatari Diar), the leading Qatari real estate developer and investment firm, to provide QR500m as part of a QR4bn Shariah-compliant syndicated facility to help finance European investments.

Mohammed Abdul Aziz Al Saad, Acting CEO of Barwa Bank said of the soft launch, “Today marks the beginning of a new era in banking in Qatar. We will offer the public a totally fresh and exciting approach to modern banking practices. The Barwa Bank brand will stand for quality of service, creativity and innovation.”

“Barwa Bank will not only be a bank for the post credit-crunch era but also one that is perfectly aligned with Qatar’s future ambitions and aspirations,” he said.

“We aim to lead the way in innovative Shari’ah banking for the current and future generations of Qatari society. We will remain totally committed to setting the newest standards in customer service.”

He added that the launch was a major step. “Having carefully consulted on the banking needs of today’s society, we have designed a fresh and creative approach that will break the mould, creating a wholly new, easier and innovative customer experience. In the next few months and into 2010 we will introduce these new products and services which will be totally unique and set us apart.”

Pointing to the Murabaha syndicate participation with Qatari Diar which follows the bank’s recent Murabaha financing agreement with Masraf Al Rayan, Al Saad said: “We expect to help originate and participate in Qatar’s most prominent investments both locally and internationally and look forward to making further high profile announcements in the coming months.”

Link: http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Business_News&subsection=Local+Business&month=October2009&file=Business_News2009102991815.xml

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