The formal reopening ceremony was attended by Commercial Bank chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali bin Jabor al-Thani, managing director Hussain Alfardan and CEO Abdulla Saleh al-Raisi as well as other dignitaries.
Originally opened in 1992, the new branch is located on Al Wakrah’s main street and has been rebuilt to create a modern, state-of-the-art banking centre for the people of Al Wakrah, offering retail, corporate and Sadara (Privileged Banking) services.
Commercial Bank, which is Qatar’s first private bank, has a second branch in Al Wakrah, situated on the Souk Street, and together the two branches are strategically located by connecting Doha with the Mesaieed Industrial City.
Commercial Bank said the new branch “is in line with the bank’s vision of making banking convenient and easy for customers through the bank’s extensive branch network and digital banking channels. Our thirty full-service branches are supported by over 154 ATMs, plus Internet Banking and Mobile Banking services. Customers are assisted by courteous, efficient, professional and knowledgeable advisers to ensure high-class services.”
A view of Commercial Bank's ‘Al Wakrah Avenue’ branch
At the opening ceremony, al-Raisi said: “Commercial Bank has a long historical association with Al Wakrah, serving the local Qatari community and businesses here for many years. Investing in our Al Wakrah Avenue branch demonstrates our commitment to both maintaining these valued long-term customer relationships and investing across the whole of Qatar to serve new customers in areas of development and growth.”
He pointed out that Al Wakrah had always been a trade hub, and was a major centre for Qatar’s pearl divers.
“We want to be as close as possible to our customers in Al Wakrah,” al-Raisi told Gulf Times.
“You have seen the efforts that we have taken to set up this building, which provides all that our customers need. In this beautiful branch, we have the ‘Sadara’ lounge for privileged banking customers and corporate and retail facilities.
“Basically, we want to show everybody that we are loyal to our country. Qatar is the reason why we have grown as a premier bank. By opening a world-scale branch, we are showing our appreciation to the society,” al-Raisi said.