QNB Group reports QR8.7bn first-half profit | AI-Generated Image

QNB Group Reports QR8.7bn First-Half Net Profit on Expanded Operations

NewsDesk
NewsDesk
Financial Arabia NewsDesk is the desk responsible for Financial Arabia's daily news coverage, monitoring and reporting developments across the Gulf from official sources, including national news...

QNB Group said its net profit for the first six months of 2026 reached QR8.7bn, a 3 percent increase from the year-earlier period. The lender noted that before the impact of persistent hyperinflation in Turkey, net profit stood at QR11.1bn, reflecting a 12 percent year-on-year gain. Operating income rose 11 percent to QR24.1bn, driven by growth across multiple revenue sources, while earnings per share increased 5 percent to QR0.89. Total equity expanded 10 percent to QR130bn over the period.

The bank’s total assets stood at QR1,438bn as of June 30, up 6 percent year-on-year, according to its results statement. Loans and advances grew 8 percent to QR1,042bn, with customer deposits rising 4 percent to QR973bn through diversified generation efforts. These expansions contributed to the overall balance sheet strengthening that supported the period’s profitability.

QNB Group reported a cost-to-income ratio of 24.1 percent, among the best for large financial institutions in the MEA region. Its non-performing loans ratio stood at 2.5 percent of gross loans, accompanied by a 99 percent loan loss coverage ratio that underscored prudent credit risk management. The capital adequacy ratio reached 19.8 percent, with the liquidity coverage ratio at 145 percent and the net stable funding ratio at 109 percent, all exceeding Qatar Central Bank and Basel III requirements.

The group broadened its funding base through a landmark QR1.0bn bond issuance, the largest-ever local currency offering by a Qatari financial institution to international investors, it said in the statement. Strong demand from a diversified investor base highlighted confidence in the bank and Qatar’s markets. QNB Group has repurchased 136.3 million ordinary shares at a total cost of QR2.3bn under its programme initiated in 2024.

QNB Group CEO Abdulla Mubarak al-Khalifa said, “QNB Group has delivered another strong set of results in the first half of 2026, a testament to the soundness of our strategy and the successful execution by our dedicated team. While the regional and global environment presented challenges, our diversified business model and robust risk management framework enabled us to continue supporting our customers and delivering sustainable value for our shareholders. We remain confident in our outlook and committed to driving growth across our international network.” The statement tied the results to the bank’s five-year corporate strategy focused on the MEA region.

Reuters has identified QNB as the Gulf’s largest bank by assets. S&P Global Ratings expects the Qatari banking sector’s average non-performing loan ratio to decline to about 3.4 percent in 2026-2027. Qatar Central Bank figures show the commercial banking sector’s total assets increased 6 percent year-on-year to QR2.2 trillion in May 2026, aligning with QNB’s own growth trajectory.

Share This Article
Financial Arabia NewsDesk is the desk responsible for Financial Arabia's daily news coverage, monitoring and reporting developments across the Gulf from official sources, including national news agencies and government communications. Its focus is accurate, timely and factual coverage of the region.