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The total assets of commercial banks in Qatar scaled up 6.5% to QR2.12tn in July this year compared to the same period in 2024, according to latest data issued by the Qatar Central Bank (QCB).Total domestic deposits with local banks rose 2.3% to QR852.3bn in July compared to the same period last year. Total credit disbursed by the local banks totalled QR1.34tn in July, up 5.5% on the same period in 2024. Broad money supply (M2) increased by 1.7% to QR739.5bn in July, compared to the same period in 2024, the QCB noted. M2 is an estimate of liquid assets, including cash on hand, money deposited in checking accounts, savings accounts, and other short-term saving vehicles such as money market funds and certificates of deposit.An increase in the country's bank assets, deposits, and credit indicates a growing banking sector, which clearly suggests an expansion of the money supply and increased economic activity. A healthy banking sector with growing assets and credit improve access to capital for businesses and households, facilitating their growth and development.

Norway's $2tn wealth fund, the world's largest, has divested from US construction equipment group Caterpillar and from five Israeli banking groups on ethics grounds. The five banks are Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, Mizrahi Tefahot Bank, First International Bank of Israel and FIBI Holdings, the fund said in a statement. The six groups were excluded "due to an unacceptable risk that the companies contribute to serious violations of the rights of individuals in situations of war and conflict," said the fund, which is operated by Norway's central bank. The companies did not immediately reply to requests for comment. The Israeli embassy in Oslo declined to comment. Prior to its divestment, the fund held a 1.17% stake in Caterpillar valued at $2.1bn as of June 30, its records showed. The stakes in the five Israeli banks were valued at a combined $661mn, also as of June 30, according to fund data. The news was announced when the Tel Aviv and New York stock exchanges were closed. Shares in Caterpillar were down 0.4% in pre-market trading at $430.61 per share Tuesday. FIBI Holdings shares were up 4%, putting them on course for their best day since early 2024. Hapoalim's stock was up 3.3% and Bank Leumi, Mizrahi Tefahot Bank, and First International Bank of Israel were between 1.8% and 2.8% better off. The fund's ethics watchdog, called the Council on Ethics, said that "in the council's assessment, there is no doubt that Caterpillar's products are being used to commit extensive and systematic violations of international humanitarian law". Bulldozers manufactured by Caterpillar "were being used by Israeli authorities in the widespread unlawful destruction of Palestinian property," it said. The violations were taking place both in Gaza and the West Bank, the council said, adding that "the company has also not implemented any measures to prevent such use". "As deliveries of the relevant machinery to Israel are now set to resume, the council considers there to be an unacceptable risk that Caterpillar is contributing to serious violations of individuals’ rights in war or conflict situations." The council, a public body set up by the Ministry of Finance, checks that firms in the portfolio of the fund meet ethical guidelines set by Norway's parliament. The fund is invested in some 8,400 companies worldwide. It makes recommendations to the board of the central bank, which has the final say. The board agreed with the council's recommendation. The Norwegian fund said on August 18 that it would divest from six companies as part of an ongoing ethics review over the war in Gaza and developments in the West Bank, but declined at the time to name any groups until the stakes were sold. On the banks, the ethics watchdog initially scrutinised the Israeli banks' practice of underwriting Israeli settlers' housebuilding commitments in the region. On Monday, the council said that all the banks excluded had, "by providing financial services that are a necessary prerequisite for construction activity in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem ... contributed to the maintenance of Israeli settlements". Around 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7mn Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Many settlements are adjacent to Palestinian areas and some Israeli firms serve both Israelis and Palestinians. The United Nations' top court last year found that Israeli settlements built on territory seized in 1967 were illegal, a ruling that Israel called "fundamentally wrong", citing historical and biblical ties to the land.

Commercial Bank has marked the successful conclusion of the third edition of its Young Investors Programme, alongside the completion of its summer internship programme.As a key player in the financial landscape, Commercial Bank has always been an advocate for financial empowerment. This dedication has been reflected in the Bank’s Young Bankers Programme, which sparked students’ interest in exploring investment opportunities and wealth-building strategies. In response, Commercial Bank launched the Young Investors Programme to provide Qatar’s youth with practical banking knowledge, hands-on experience in financial markets, and direct exposure to real-world scenarios. Since then, the Bank has conducted a series of sessions covering both local and international markets, later expanding the initiative to include participation from external organisations such as the Qatar Stock Exchange, as well as experts from local universities. The summer internship programme, held as part of this initiative, was recently concluded with a graduation ceremony attended by the young participants, their parents, and employees representing Commercial Bank’s various departments. The ceremony celebrated the hard work of the youth as they completed their practical learning journey.Stephen Moss, Group Chief Executive Officer at Commercial Bank, said: “At Commercial Bank, we remain committed to empowering the next generation through financial education. Today marks the successful completion of the third edition of our Young Investors Programme and the conclusion of our summer internship programme. The dedication and passion of the participants have proven that the future of finance is in capable hands. I would like to thank the parents, guardians, trainers, university experts, and employees whose support and guidance have made this programme a success.” Shahnawaz Rashid, EGM and Head of Retail Banking at Commercial Bank, stated:“This initiative represents a vital pillar of our Corporate Social Responsibility strategy. We remain committed to dedicating the necessary resources to ensure its continuous growth and enhancement. It is a privilege to support our participants on their journey toward financial confidence and empowerment. The graduation ceremony was a proud milestone, showcasing the success of our expanding alumni network across Qatar and our ongoing commitment to nurturing talent.”Reham S. Thawabi, AGM and Senior Director of Premium Banking at Commercial Bank, added: "From elevating banking experiences to empowering the next generation to become financially adept, Commercial Bank has always embraced being an enabler of change. Our CB Young Investors Programme has not only transformed the students' understanding of banking from theory to practice but also introduced them to the concepts of investing in both local and international markets. “