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Qatar's commercial banks witnessed a 6.3% year-on-year jump in total assets to QR2.13tn in October 2025, according to the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) data.Domestic assets amounted to QR1.82tn or 85% of the total assets of the commercial banks and foreign assets stood at QR0.31tn or 15% of the total in the review period.Total domestic credit rose 5.1% year-on-year to QR1.36tn at the end of October 2025, the central bank said on X. The commercial banks' overseas credit amounted to QR65.15bn in the review period.Private sector credit stood at QR955.58bn (67% of the total credit), public sector credit amounted to QR462.84bn (32%) and credit facilities to non-banking financial institutions were QR9.79bn at the end of October 2025.Of the QR955.58bn private sector credit, the commercial banks' domestic credit amounted to QR918.55bn and outside Qatar amounted to QR37.03bn in the review period.In the case of public sector, the commercial banks' domestic credit amounted to QR436.84bn and outside Qatar stood at QR25.99bn in October 2025.Of the total QR1.36tn domestic credit from the commercial banks, services received QR471.89bn, real estate (QR267.51bn), trading (QR216.43bn), consumption loans (QR182.45bn), government (QR157.93bn), industry (QR27.47bn) and contractors (QR36.8bn) in the review period.The commercial lenders' other assets stood at QR49.2bn with inside Qatar at QR39.55bn and outside the country at QR9.66bn at the end of October 2025.The commercial banks' securities portfolio stood at QR339.91bn with debt securities at QR199.34bn and sukuk at QR133.61bn in October this year.Of the QR339.91bn total securities portfolio, domestic portfolio stood at QR299.41bn and outside Qatar at QR40.5bn during the review period.Of the QR199.34bn debt securities, those issued by governments amounted to QR125.23bn, banks at QR10.61bn and others at QR62.95bn. In the case of sukuks, those issued by government stood at QR117.63bn, banks at QR10.31bn and others at QR5.67bn at the end of October 2025.The banks' investments in subsidiaries and associated amounted to QR53.2bn with inside Qatar at QR7.09bn and outside the country at QR46.11bn at the end of October 2025.Total domestic deposits were up 0.9% year-on-year to QR850.23bn in the review period. Of which, personal deposits stood at QR278.26bn, government institutions' at QR190.01bn, private sector at QR193.52bn, semi-government entities' at QR44.06bn and non-banking financial institutions at QR14.17bn in October 2025.Broad money supply (M2) rose 0.9% year-on-year to QR740.3bn in October 2025. 

The GCC Statistical Center revealed in a report on Monday that the total assets of commercial banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries increased by 10 percent in 2024, reaching approximately USD 3.5 trillion, compared to 2023.The report mentioned that the total deposits in these banks amounted to about USD 2.1 trillion in 2024, showing a 9.6 percent increase compared to 2023.The report also highlighted the rise in total loans provided by the banks, reaching nearly USD 2.1 trillion in 2024, an increase of 9.9 percent over 2023, with the private sector accounting for about 80.7 percent of the total loans.The statistics from the GCC Statistical Center showed a decline in the non-performing loan ratios across the GCC countries during the period from 2020 to 2024, with a noticeable variation in the loan-to-deposit ratios, ranging between 66 percent and 125 percent.Regarding capital adequacy, the GCC countries maintained high levels, surpassing the minimum threshold set by the Basel III Committee of 8 percent, with ratios ranging between 17.8 percent and 32 percent in 2024.On the financial performance front, commercial banks in the GCC countries witnessed significant growth in their net profits over the past four years, surpassing pre-COVID-19 levels.

Legal PerspectiveCommercial banks play a pivotal role in most trade finance transactions. Herein, the banks can take different roles, such as the issuing bank, the confirming bank, the nominating bank, the advising bank or otherwise depending on the intention and interest of the bank in serving their different clients.I believe that the role of each of the above-mentioned banks is important and highly needed for such transactions. However, the role of the confirming bank could be more important and very essential to complete the smooth process of trade finance transactions.Therefore, we need to know more about confirming banks. Under the UCP 600, a confirming bank is a bank that adds its confirmation to a letter of credit (LC) at the initial request or authorisation of the issuing bank, undertaking obligations similar to the issuing bank's own. In other plain words, it is a kind of a “confirmer” that agrees to perform the principal duties of the issuing bank.This banking activity adds an extra layer of security for the exporter (beneficiary), ensuring the payment even if the issuing bank defaults. Moreover, the key responsibilities of a confirming bank include examining documents for compliance and ensuring payment or negotiation if the presentation is complying.According to the UCP (Uniform Customs and practices for Documentary Credits) 600, explain the meaning of “Confirming Bank”. Sub-article 37 (c) of UCP 600 states: “A bank instructing another bank to perform services is liable for any commissions, fees, costs or expenses (‘charges’) incurred by the bank in connection with its instructions”.Based on this and according to sub-article 8 (b) of UCP 600, the obligation of a confirming bank begins only when it adds its confirmation to the credit: “A confirming bank is irrevocably bound to honour or negotiate as of the time it adds its confirmation to the credit”.In trade finance transactions, the issuing bank is in fact open to confirmation being added, but not mandating it. The confirming bank can add its confirmation, however, it still retains the right to decline the confirmation, as stated in sub-article 8 (d) of the UCP 600. As a rule, if a bank authorised or requested by the issuing bank to confirm a credit, is not prepared to do so, it must inform the issuing bank without delay and may advise the credit without confirmation. All this is optional for the confirming bank as they deem appropriate and acceptable for them.Many people ask if the issuing bank can also take the role of a confirming bank. Generally, the answer is yes. An issuing bank can also act as the confirming bank, although typically these are separate entities. Normally, the issuing bank issues the LC, while the confirming bank adds its own guarantee of payment, which provides greater security to the beneficiary. However, in situations where the issuing bank is also the one performing the confirmation, it's acting in both capacities within the same transaction.Even though, the role of the confirming bank is very clear, however, there are many cases in Courts between the issuing banks and the confirming banks and or clients. It is important to be more vigilant and careful in such transaction as they may cause unnecessary troubles and legal obligations.Dr AbdelGadir Warsama Ghalib is a corporate legal counsel. E-mail: [email protected]

Under the banner "Together We Shape the Future", the Ministry of Labour, in partnership with Commercial Bank, hosted a career fair designed to provide Qataris and children of Qatari women with employment opportunities, professional training, and immediate career pathways within the private sector.The initiative forms part of the Ministry's broader programs with private sector partners to advance the nationalisation agenda. It reflects sustained efforts to broaden prospects for national talent, enhance professional competencies, and align workforce development with the Third National Development Strategy, which seeks to empower citizens, increase participation in the Labour market, and ensure rewarding private-sector roles.Speaking at the event, Assistant Director of the National Manpower Recruitment Department Mohammed Al Kawwari emphasised that the colLabouration with Commercial Bank demonstrates the Ministry's commitment to increasing employment for Qataris and children of Qatari women in key industries. He noted that the fair opens new horizons for national talent and supports the 2024-2030 National Workforce Strategy, aimed at building an effective and highly productive workforce.Al Kawwari highlighted the Ministry's dedication to creating a safe, stable, and motivating environment for private sector employers one that attracts and retains national talent. He underlined that nationalisation should be regarded not merely as an obligation but as a strategic opportunity to enhance performance, productivity, and competitiveness, while contributing to a sustainable and resilient economy.Executive General Manager and Chief Human Capital Officer at Commercial Bank Khalifa Nasser Al Rayyis, reaffirmed the bank's commitment to nurturing Qatari talent, describing investment in local professionals as a cornerstone of the bank's long-term strategy. Hosting the career fair for the first time at its headquarters, he highlighted the bank's focus on providing meaningful career pathways through training, sponsorships, and colLabouration with the Ministry and universities.Al Rayyis noted that Commercial Bank was among the first institutions to implement the nationalisation program with the Ministry, including its sponsorship of the Financial Cadres initiative. He added that the bank continues to develop the next generation of Qatari professionals by integrating training and development schemes across multiple platforms.The career fair targeted exceptional university students, recent graduates, and highly qualified professionals capable of leading the banking sector and advancing financial services nationally and regionally. Participants engaged with senior bank leaders, explored career opportunities, and undertook interviews, assessments, and mentoring sessions with HR specialists.Ministry representatives observed the bank's sponsorship and support programs, which extend beyond finance to disciplines including economics, management information systems, computer engineering, cybersecurity, data science, technology, and law. Selected candidates were offered immediate recruitment, streamlining the hiring process under Ministry supervision.The fair also highlighted student sponsorship initiatives designed to support high-performing Qatari students whose skills and ambitions align with the bank's workforce requirements.Through its partnership with Commercial Bank, the Ministry of Labour reaffirmed its commitment to expanding opportunities for Qataris and children of Qatari women within the private sector. The initiative reflects national priorities to enhance workforce participation, nurture professional growth, and advance the human development pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030.

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. “