In the next phase of its impressive expansion plan, the International Bank of Qatar has officially opened the doors of its second branch, on C-Ring Road, Doha. The new fully fledged branch is located just between the Cinema and Muntazah traffic lights on the C ring Road and will initially be operating Sundays to Thursdays from 7:30 – 1:00 pm.
The first of three new branches to open this year, IBQ's new branch has marked a significant turning point in the bank's strategic growth plans. Located on one of Doha's main roads and, busiest areas of the city, the new IBQ C-Ring Branch will allow the bank to reach a wide customer base and help serve bank customers living and working around that area allowing the bank a further and wider reach.
"We are delighted to be opening our second branch in Qatar and to be able to continue offering our distinctive services to our customers but with more convenience. The bank is currently witnessing significant growth and development and this has been the result of our ambitious plans and strategy to expand into the local market," commented Michael H. Williams, General Manager of the International Bank of Qatar (IBQ) on the bank's expansion plans.
He added, "Our Retail team is witnessing increased success and as our customer base is growing we need to make sure our customers are able to make choices in how and where to bank with us. Our strategically located new branch will be providing our customers with additional choices and increased convenience and flexibility."
Ten IBQ employees resumed their jobs within the new branch after extensive classroom and on-the-job training. They are managed by Youssef Al-Ghadban, an experienced Branch Manager who has worked for over 25 years with IBQ. Prior to his new appointment Al-Ghadban, was the Branch Manager in the main branch at IBQ. He has extensive experience in providing high-quality personalised customer service which he will carry along with him to the bank's newly opened branch.
In modern and attractive premises equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the new IBQ branch has been designed to function as a practical, yet warm and comfortable environment. "We aim to provide IBQ's existing and new customers with a pleasant friendly experience as their needs and aspirations are met daily by the bank's enthusiastic and qualified staff. Customers today are more knowledgeable about their banking requirements, so we face a challenge of ensuring that we are attentive and customer focused, yet still maintaining the high quality standards for which IBQ is renowned, "stated Abdulaziz Al Khater IBQ’s Manager Retail Banking.
Other services and products which have proven IBQ's innovative approach in banking include the newly launched MC² Debit/ATM Card, which has an in-built fully personalised secure chip, launched for the first time in Qatar. The new MC² Debit/ATM Card which has taken card design to a new level is unique and fashionable. Other IBQ services include innovative relationship packages as well as competitive vehicle and loan schemes.
More new branch openings will take place by the end of this year marking 2006 as a significant milestone for the International Bank of Qatar (IBQ).
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.
