Moving along with its aggressive expansion plan and ambitious development strategy, the International Bank of Qatar (IBQ) opened the doors of yet another new branch to add to its ever-growing network. The bank's third branch – the second branch in 2 months–opened its doors to the public today Tuesday, 17th October. The branch is conveniently located just off the TV Roundabout on Doha's busy Al-Markhiya Road. Whilst maintaining its highly distinguished customer-service quality, IBQ's new Al-Markhiya Branch will not only offer retail services, but offer both corporate and private banking services, to help serve clients across the bank's full spectrum.
The fully-fledged branch is offering a full range of consumer and business banking services to include corporate and private banking services, cheque and savings accounts, auto loans, personal loans and innovative retail products. In addition, the branch will offer customers 24-hour ATM access and convenient lobby hours including extended hours in the evening, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Sundays to Wednesdays, to commence after Eid Al-Fitr.
Commenting on the new branch opening Michael H. Williams General Manager of IBQ said, "With the Holy month of Ramadan coming to an end and Eid Al-Fitr just around the corner, here at IBQ we are undertaking every possible measure to make our customers’ banking and financial needs a worry free aspect of their lives. While the official opening date of our new branch is not till later in November, we realize at this time of the year that our customers are busy getting a lot of things done in preparation for the Eid and to ease the burden on all our customers and assist them in all their banking requirements we've opened the doors of our new branch a few weeks earlier than planned."
Extensively-trained and highly skilled and experienced staff have assumed their new roles in the new branch focusing their standards on high-quality customer attentiveness.
A distinctive factor in IBQ's Al-Markhiya Branch is an exclusive private lounge area conveniently designed to welcome IBQ's High Net Worth private banking customers. In addition, a team of professional private banking officers and financial experts will be dedicated to assisting private clients on the preservation and enhancement of their wealth. Furthermore the branch has a devoted section for corporate clients ensuring timely and high professionalism with all corporate customer interfaces which will suit corporations based along the Corniche and West Bay area in particular.
"Every step we have taken in our expansion is customer driven and service focused in order to make banking a more exciting, convenient and practical experience", said Michael H. Williams. He continued, "For all corporate, private and retail needs the new branch is ideally located in Al-Markhiya and complements our other branch at the C-Ring Road by bringing IBQ closer to you. By end of 2006 we hope to have a total of 4 branches in Doha with more planned for 2007."
IBQ's recently introduced retail banking has witnessed increasingly steady success and, as a result, has amplified the bank's standing in the local market. The bank is currently running two Ramadan promotions; a personal and an auto loan campaign. The personal loan is at a competitive 8.5% interest rate with first instalments to be paid in January 2007, free credit life insurance for the life of the loan, very low management fees and a free credit card to be used during the loan term. Alongside that, the bank is offering those seeking to buy vehicles an auto loan campaign with no interest for up to 12 months, a six-month payment holiday, comprehensive insurance on instalments and a repayment period of up to 72 months. In the event of salary transfer to the bank, the customer will receive 1000 QR in cash on offer for both the personal and vehicle loan campaign.
IBQ has many more new and pioneering programmes and new branch openings in the pipeline and has only been the start of IBQ's growth and development.
About International Bank of Qatar (IBQ)
IBQ, previously known as the Grindlays Qatar Bank is one of the oldest Bank's in Qatar and celebrates 50 years of banking in 2006. Previously, it was a member of the ANZ Grindlays banking group. The Standard Chartered group acquired the bank in 2000 and in 2003 sold its % stake to local shareholders, which made the bank fully locally owned and independently managed.
In 2004, National Bank of Kuwait acquired 20% stake in the Grindlays Qatar Bank, and assumed management responsibility. At the same time the name was changed to the International Bank of Qatar.
