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QNB Group said in a statement published on the Qatar Stock Exchange website that it had successfully completed syndication of the $2.5 billion senior unsecured term loan facility after strong demand led to commitments more than double the initial target. The syndication attracted participation from 25 international and regional banks with nine Asian banks committing approximately $1.25 billion. DBS HSBC ICBC Mizuho and Standard Chartered acted as mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners for the transaction according to the statement.
Abdulla Mubarak Al-Khalifa group chief executive officer of QNB said “The strong demand for the loan arrangement confirms the confidence of banks from various global and regional markets in QNB Group and the loan has attracted interest from banks from various markets which has contributed to expanding the base of our banks in the field of loan financing.” Al-Khalifa added that despite the challenges witnessed by the regional and global markets the high demand for the loan and the exceeding of its obligations significantly reflects confidence in the creditworthiness of QNB Group. He noted that the transaction is further indicative of the group’s progress towards achieving its ambition to become one of the leading banks in the Middle East Africa and Southeast Asia region.
The facility will be used to meet the overall needs of the group’s business according to the QNB Group statement. Bloomberg reported that the five-year deal was increased from an initial $2 billion and drew interest from more than 20 lenders. QNB is the Middle East’s biggest lender with about $395 billion in assets according to Bloomberg.
A $2 billion inaugural Asian unsecured syndicated term loan facility closed by QNB Group in April 2025 was the largest ever such syndication by a GCC bank and achieved the tightest pricing according to an earlier QNB announcement. The latest transaction continues the group’s strategy to diversify its investor base with a focus on Asian markets. Earlier syndications including a $3.5 billion dual-tranche facility in 2020 were also substantially oversubscribed according to QNB statements at the time.
QNB Group ranks as the most valuable bank brand in the Middle East and Africa a position that has aided its ability to secure competitive terms on borrowings. The group’s network of subsidiaries and associates operates in 27 countries supporting its regional expansion objectives. The statement highlighted that the strong turnout from Asian participants in particular underlined QNB’s credentials in broadening relationships worldwide.
