The banking industry in Qatar is one that is growing in diversity at a growing pace, making it easy for anyone to find a bank in Qatar that could handle all their consumer banking, commercial banking, financing, and investment needs. Especially with the Qatar Central Bank’s (QCB) ruling early in 2011 stipulating that conventional banks operating in the country close down its Islamic banking businesses by the end of the year, local Islamic banks are seen to grow substantially and its customers are seen to enjoy the benefits of such consolidation of resources. One of the newest players in Qatar’s Islamic banking scene, Barwa Bank, is poised to take on the challenge, being the first to acquire an Islamic portfolio as the International bank of Qatar (IBQ) sought to comply with the QCB ruling.

This newest bank in Qatar is one of a handful of banking operations in Qatar composed of Qatari banks, Arab banks, and foreign banks. Only a few of these Qatar banking operations service the Islamic banking needs of the country’s residents. Islamic banking differs from conventional banking in that it has to be compliant with Islam laws, otherwise referred to as Shari’ah. There are specific values and ideals dictated by Shari’ah laws that financial institutions servicing the Muslim populace have to comply with. Barwa Bank’s products and services offerings are 100% Shari’ah compliant, providing the bank’s customers with an array of options in deposits, loans, investments, and insurance.

Banking customers in Qatar can avail of deposit and checking accounts, home and vehicle loans, business banking services, and corporate and investment banking accounts that are creatively designed to match their needs. Most banks like Barwa Bank has off-site facilities such as ATMs, online banking, and phone banking to give their customers access to their account information anywhere they are. Those looking for a banking institution in Qatar should look for one that is committed to providing innovative financial solutions devised using the highest quality Islamic banking products and services while adhering to the principles of Shari’ah.

Barwa Bank is the newest Islamic bank in Qatar specializing in the full range of retail and commercial banking services. An allied business of Qatar’s Barwa Real Estate Company, Barwa Bank has succeeded in completing several acquisition deals over its short history. This includes the largest closed shareholding Qatari investment banking firm The First Investor QSC in 2009, the First Finance and the First Leasing Company in 2010, and the most recent International Bank of Qatar’s Al Yusr retail loans and deposits portfolio.