Qatar First Bank announces the listing of all its shares on the Qatar Stock Exchange on April 27th

The First Listing ever of a Qatar Financial Center Licensed Entity

Doha, Qatar. - Saturday, April 23rd 2016 [ME NewsWire]

    The first listing of a private sector entity on the QSE in 6 years and the first ever of a QFC entity
    QFB’s listing represents a significant milestone in the bank’s 7 year successful history.


Qatar First Bank L.L.C. (QFB), a leading Shari’ah compliant bank based in Qatar offering investment opportunities and innovative financial solutions with local, regional and international reach, announces the imminent listing of the bank’s shares on the Qatar Stock Exchange ("QSE") on the 27th of April 2016.

Following the approval of the Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA), the QSE announced the listing date of QFB’s shares as Wednesday 27th of April 2016.

QSE stated that listing of QFB will be in the Banking and Financial Services Sector with a symbol QFBQ. The guiding trading price for the first day will be QR 15 per share with a fluctuation of limit of 30% up or down which will be permitted only for the first day of listing; however, price fluctuation on the second day and thereafter will be permitted by 10% up or down as is the case for all other listed companies under the QSE rules.

QFB was established as one of the first independent Shari’ah compliant financial institutions licensed by the Qatar Financial Center Regulatory Authority, on September 4, 2008.  The Bank’s authorized capital amounts to QR 2.5 billion and the issued and paid up capital is QR 2 billion.

A listing prospectus approved by the QFMA and Fatwa of the bank’s Shari’ah supervisory board are available on QFB’s website www.qfb.com.qa. The prospectus offers interested investors full details about the listing and the Bank. QFB will be organizing a press conference on Tuesday at 10:00 am regarding this milestone.

Al Rayan Investment LLC acted as the sole listing advisor along with international legal counsel Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman L.L.P. and local legal counsel Sultan Al-Abdulla& Partner.  

Commenting on the milestone, Mr. Abdulla Bin Fahad Bin Ghorab Al Marri, Chairman of QFB said:

"This is a significant achievement for Qatar and QFB. It is the first listing of a Qatari entity licensed by the QFC, and the first listing for a private entity in 6 years. It marks the next step in Qatar’s efforts to reactivate Qatar’s stock market and encourage the participation of the private sector in all aspects of the Qatari economy and in particular the banking sector."

Al Marri added: “Our listing on the QSE was always a top priority, and we are proud to deliver on this promise to our shareholders who have supported us all these years and to the Qatar market in general.”

“QFB, with a clear strategy, highly experienced team, and solid shareholder base, strives to maintain its role as a trusted advisor for high-net-worth individuals, corporate and institutional clients and a gateway to business opportunities in Qatar, the region and global markets.” Al Marri concluded.

QFB has previously announced its 2015 results recording gross income of QAR 336.5 million (US$ 92.5 million), and net income of QAR 66 million (US$ 18.1 million) with total assets increasing by 26 per cent to reach QAR 5.9 billion (US$ 1.6 billion). The Bank, during 2015, invested a total of QAR 33.9 million (US$ 9.3 million), bringing the total capital invested to date to QAR 1.54 billion (US$ 423.0 million). The Sukuk book continued to grow in size to reach QAR 943 million (USD$ 259 million) and total deposits reached around QAR 3 billion.

Ziad Makkawi, Chief Executive Officer, QFB said:

"QFB’s listing represents another significant milestone in the Bank’s quest to grow, expand its offerings and provide a ‘Signature of Excellence' to its clients.”

Makkawi added: “Last year was a ground-breaking year for the bank. We confirmed our strategy and streamlined our businesses to offer innovative Shari’ah compliant solutions ranging from corporate & institutional banking, private banking & wealth management, treasury & investments, as well as alternative investments with a focus on private equity and real estate.”

“Looking ahead, we are aware that there is still a great deal of work to be done on the Bank’s journey to success, and we are investing to achieve our objectives. We believe that the listing on the QSE is the beginning of a new era, which complements our ambition to become a significant player in the Shari’ah compliant banking arena”, Makkawi concluded.

Reaping the benefits of the Bank’s strategy, QFB has been exclusively named 2016’s ‘Best Up-and-Coming Islamic Financial Institution’ in Global Finance magazine’s ninth annual awards for the World’s Best Islamic Financial Institutions. The esteemed global award came on the heels of QFB’s several milestones across its businesses.

Among major developments during 2015, QFB launched its exclusive Private Banking business line, symbolized by the opening of its lounge, which serves as a communication hub, through which QFB provides innovative wealth management solutions at the highest standards of governance and transparency to its elite clients.

Despite the challenging global and regional economic conditions, QFB has an attractive pipeline of deals to be completed during this year. The team of banking professionals will continue focusing on identifying and seizing new, attractive opportunities, deliver excellence for both private and corporate clients, build a strong brand, and provide shareholders with robust returns.

- ENDS -

Visit our website, www.qfb.com.qa, to download the listing prospectus, Fatwa and the annual report 2015.

Notes for journalists:

About QFB:

Qatar First Bank (QFB) is one of the first independent Shari’ah compliant financial institutions regulated by the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority. Launched in 2009 as an investment bank, QFB has since evolved to broaden its offering to combine the best of a private bank with bespoke investment solutions tailored for the protection, preservation and growth of wealth. QFB has a diversified shareholder base of prominent individuals and institutions from Qatar and the GCC. QFB’s team of professionals have the knowledge and expertise to provide world class, exclusive and cutting edge financial solutions underpinned by the Bank’s commitment to deliver excellence in all aspects of business. www.qfb.com.qa

Milestones for 2015

QFB Private Banking Lounge:

In December 2015 QFB launched its exclusive Private Banking and Wealth Management business symbolized by its Private Banking Lounge which is a testament to the Bank’s commitment to assure its clients that they will enjoy Private Banking services in a unique environment that evokes trust, professionalism, privacy and exclusivity.  Located at 231, Suhaim bin Hamad Street, in Al Sadd, QFB’s Private Banking Lounge serves as an icon in enhancing the bank’s image amongst its stakeholders.

Investments Portfolio:

NEW INVESTMENTS

Cambridge Medical & Rehabilitation Centre

QFB acquired a 15.6% stake in Cambridge Medical & Rehabilitation Centre (“Cambridge Medical”) based in Abu Dhabi.

Cambridge Medical caters for those in need of non-acute rehabilitation with a high level of physiotherapy as well as treatment for a broad range of conditions including spinal cord injuries, neuromuscular diseases and birth defects. Cambridge Medical is affiliated with US-based Spaulding Rehabilitation Network and Joslin Diabetes Centre, both Harvard Medical School affiliate training centres.

EXITED INVESTMENTS

QFB exited three investments in 2015, with IRRs ranging from 20% to 50%. These were:

Al Noor Hospitals

QFB sold its remaining shares in Al Noor Hospitals (“Al Noor”), which listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2014.

QFB realized total proceeds of US$ 146m and profit of US$ 106m throughout its investment in Al Noor resulting in an IRR of 49%.

Westbourne House, London

In August 2015, QFB completed the Westbourne House project. QFB and a group of GCC investors acquired Westbourne House in 2012; The project has won an architectural design award. During 2015, 85% of the apartments were sold to GCC investors. It is expected that when fully exited the investment will deliver an IRR of 20%.

Dubai Land Plot

QFB sold the plot of land near Burj Khalifa, Dubai, in which it had owned a 50% stake. The sale realised proceeds of ~US$ 18m, profit of ~US$5m and return on capital of 34%.

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO UPDATES

Memorial Healthcare Group

Memorial continues to successfully expand its geographic footprint as revenue ramps up from its new hospitals: Ankara’s revenue more than doubled during 2015, while the combined revenue of Kayseri, Dicle and Diyarbakır increased at more than 30% year over year, resulting in a total EBITDA increase of ~55% in 2015. Furthermore, significant progress has been made in the construction of the new hospital in Bahçelievler. This is expected to be one of the largest private hospitals in Istanbul, comprising 300 beds and a closed area of ~75,000 sqm.

English Home

English Home continued its aggressive expansion plans, adding 93 stores (57 in Turkey and 36 in international markets) to reach a total of 344 stores (272 in Turkey and 72 in international markets). This resulted in a ~45% increase in revenue for 2015 compared with 2014. High growth has been achieved as a result of various initiatives introduced by the new CEO to optimize operations, enabling English Home to dominate the Turkish textile retail market and further expand the company’s regional footprint.

Contacts

QFB

Mohamed Imran, Marketing Officer on:

marketing@qfb.com.qa



GREY Doha:

Denise Yammine Chouity, Group Account Director on:

Tel: + 974 4428 3111

Mobile: + 974 33318761

Email: denise.yamine@greydoha.com







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