QNB Group has continued to attach importance to the elderly and people with special needs by developing facilities and products to improve their access to banking services and enable them to perform their financial transactions with the highest levels of ease and security.

QNB has also launched initiatives to enable them to unleash their potential as partners in development.

Yousef Mahmoud al-Neama, group chief business officer, said: “At QNB, we are committed to facilitating easy and convenient access to our banking services and products for the elderly and people with special needs. We have also provided all necessary facilities and services through our branches and e-channels to offer them an exceptional banking experience.”

Heba al-Tamimi, senior executive vice president – QNB Group Communications, said: “QNB Group relentlessly supports the integration of the elderly and people with special needs into society, believing in their role as partners in development and reflecting our commitment to Qatar National Vision 2030.”

QNB Group has taken several leading steps to support the elderly, the most recent of which was the launch of a special pensioner loan at the beginning of this year with a 0% interest rate and a value of up to QR300,000 for Qatari retirees, in cooperation with the General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority.

At the level of international branches and subsidiaries, the group offers its elderly customers a range of insurance products that meet the specific needs of this segment. These include the Al Rafiq Retirement programme from QNB Egypt Life Insurance, a savings and investment package designed to help customers achieve financial stability during retirement.

The bank also has successful partnerships with several institutions and centres specialising in elderly care, such as the Centre for Empowerment and Elderly Care . The bank has provided transportation for its employees to provide all services to the elderly in their homes.

QNB is the first bank in Qatar to launch a banking application in Braille, a unique initiative under the technical supervision and support of the Arab Federation for the Blind. The bank has a fully trained team in the use of sign language to communicate effectively with hearing-impaired customers.

All bank branches have a dedicated entrance to facilitate wheelchair access, designated parking spaces for people with special needs, and signposts for people with visual impairments to guide them to specific paths upon contact. Emergency and evacuation exit commensurate with their needs are also provided, along with priority queuing at branches. These special facilities will be extended to all new and renovated branches.

QNB continues to support several programmes, including the ‘Empowering People with Special Needs through Small Projects Programme’ launched by the Department of the Elderly and People with Special Needs at the Ministry of Social Affairs.

A part of its strategic partnerships in this field, QNB recently launched an early intervention therapeutic programme within its strategic partnership with the Qatar Autism Society, to support children with autism spectrum disorder and their families, enabling them to begin their learning and integration journey from an early age.

QNB attaches special attention to people with special needs, ensuring their rehabilitation and integration into society, given the increasing number of graduates of rehabilitation programmes entering the labour market. Since 2012, QNB has been one of the first financial institutions in the country to prioritise the employment of this segment and provide job opportunities.

The bank has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Qatar Society for Rehabilitation of Special Needs regarding the recruitment of candidates from this category, preparing them to work in an environment that suits their capabilities and potential.