Throughout 2025, QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa region (MEA) strengthened its regional leadership position by enhancing its ESG agenda, sustainable financing activities, ongoing commitment to international initiatives, and market leading disclosures. This progress has been achieved alongside the Group's continued strong growth, further solidifying its position not only as the largest financial institution in the MEA region but also as a leading bank across the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
This performance is underpinned by QNB’s sustained investments in innovation, governance, digital transformation and social responsibility, which strengthen the State of Qatar’s position as a leading financial center and support its National Vision 2030.
The Group's robust financial performance is reflected in its brand value, which remains the highest in the MEA region. QNB maintained its strong credit rating from leading global rating agencies, including Standard & Poor’s (A+) and Moody’s (Aa2). Furthermore, QNB has also been awarded the top ESG ratings amongst regional peers, with leading ratings from MSCI (AA), S&P Global ESG (59/ 86th percentile), and CDP (B).
QNB is dedicated to integrating ESG principles and practices into its strategy, business, and operations. With longstanding commitment to the UN Global Compact, UN Sustainable Development Goals, and other international initiatives and best practices, the Group has established its sustainability strategy, framework, and governance to enhance delivery, accountability, and transparency, as it continues to make significant strides in its sustainability journey.
QNB has successfully balanced the enhancement of its banking leadership with the acceleration of its ESG initiatives. This includes engaging with clients to increase its direct sustainable financing portfolio to over USD 11 billion and committing to actively support international and national climate goals. The Bank is delivering profit with purpose and positive impact, whilst enabling the real economy transition.
In September 2025, QNB Group issued its inaugural Euro-denominated green bond under its Medium-Term Note (MTN) programme – also its second benchmark green bond from Qatar. This five-year, EUR 750 million issuance marks the largest Euro-denominated green bond issued by a bank in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
This issuance highlights the Bank’s role as a leader in ESG financing and its commitment to developing green and sustainable finance in Qatar and its key markets, in line with the Group’s Sustainable Finance and Product Framework. The offering attracted significant interest from a broad range of international investors, with peak subscription orders exceeding the offering size by over 2.5 times.
QNB also continued its groundbreaking issuances in its international network. The Group issued the world’s first Climate Transition Bond aligned with the new International Capital Market Association (ICMA) Climate Transition Bond Guidelines. This USD 100 million transaction is the first of its kind from any financial institution globally and represents the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) inaugural investment to accelerate real-economy decarbonisation in Türkiye. In the same period, QNB Türkiye launched the Triple Impact Sustainable Bond in collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), with USD 100 million to finance green projects and businesses led by women and youth. This innovative bond combines climate action with social inclusion, delivering three positive impacts within a single structure.
QNB Group also completed its comprehensive Group-wide climate change strategy, encapsulating climate ambitions, transition approaches, priority sectors, and implementation roadmap. This enables QNB to support national and international Paris Agreement-aligned goals across its markets. At a national level, the bank plays a key role as a strategic sponsor, partner, and contributor to the Qatar National Dialogue on Climate Change (QNDCC).
As part of its commitment to global efforts to combat climate change and promote transparency, QNB became the first bank in the Middle East to disclose its carbon emissions in accordance with the ISSB Sustainability Disclosure Standards (IFRS S1 and S2), including Scope 3 financed emissions. These disclosures represent over 90% of the Group’s portfolio, demonstrating QNB’s leadership in sustainable finance and accountability.
QNB is the only bank in the region to obtain independent assurance on GRI-aligned reporting and key metrics, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To promote adoption of such international best practices, the bank shared its experience at a national IFRS capacity-building event hosted by Qatar’s financial regulators and the Qatar Stock Exchange.
As part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions, whilst enhancing customer experience and inclusion, the Bank continues to advance its digital services strategy. This includes approval from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) to establish a new digital bank in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the name “ez bank.” This initiative, in partnership with the Ajlan & Brothers Holding Group, involves a capital of SAR 2.5 billion and aims to provide innovative digital banking services targeting a broad customer base, particularly youth and entrepreneurs. The approval lays the foundation for a new phase in reshaping the banking experience by delivering innovative, comprehensive, and secure digital services for individual and corporate clients.
Simultaneously, QNB obtained a special license from the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) to establish a new digital bank, also under the name “ez bank”. This crucial step reflects the Group’s commitment to supporting the CBE’s vision for financial inclusion and digital transformation, as well as the Egyptian government’s strategy for economic development. The digital bank will combine advanced technology with international best practices to deliver seamless financial services to a broad customer base. It will primarily leverage mobile platforms, AI-powered tools, and intelligent risk management to facilitate transactions, enhance accessibility, and support the digital economy in Egypt.
QNB Group has also cemented its position as one of the most advanced and progressive banks in Qatar and the region, being among the first financial institutions to fully embrace a digital transformation journey. It has taken ambitious steps to keep pace with technological innovations, most notably through the launch of QNBeyond, its dedicated digital innovation hub in the Turkish market.
QNB Group’s steadfast commitment to sustainable practices has garnered significant global recognition. Mr. Abdullah Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Group CEO of QNB, was honoured as one of the region’s Sustainability Leaders. This accolade specifically acknowledges his vision and efforts in steering the Group’s sustainability strategy and championing ESG principles throughout its operations.
Affirming this leadership, the bank is the recipient of most accolades amongst regional peers. It has been recognised for its sustainability achievements by Euromoney Awards for Excellence, Global Finance Awards, and TIME World’s Best Companies for Sustainable Growth, reflecting its contribution to achieving sustainability goals, promoting sustainable finance, and reducing carbon footprint across its international operations.
QNB Group is one of the leading financial institutions in the Middle East and Africa and is ranked as the most valuable banking brand in the MEA region. Present in over 28 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa, it offers tailored products and services supported by innovation and backed by a team of over 31,000 professionals.