Press Release
TFI-Hines Brazil Income Real Estate Fund announces its first seed acquisition by investing in the iconic World Trade Centre complex in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This investment represents the first closing of the Fund. The announcement was made by The First Investor (TFI), the investment banking division of Barwa Bank Group. Barwa Bank is also a cornerstone investor in the Fund, together with US based Hines International Real Estate Holdings.
Barwa Bank, Qatar's fastest growing Shari’ah compliant banking service provider, welcomed back Ziyad Rahim, its Head of Market Risk, who returned from the Sahara Desert in Morocco after participating in the 250km Marathon Des Sables (MdS). Ziyad was the only representative from Qatar to partake in the seven day event. In March, Ziyad also completed the Antarctica Marathon and became the first person to run these two extreme marathons in the space of one month.
Barwa Bank, Qatar's fastest growing Shari’ah compliant bank,acted as Co-Manager on the Government of Dubai’s recent $1.25bn Sukuk issuance.
The Barwa Bank Group, Qatar's fastest growing Shari’ah compliant banking group, is the first financial institution to become an EMEA board member of MEF, the global community for mobile content and commerce.
Diane Alphonse, Acting Head of Marketing, Communications & PR, Barwa Bank, along with other board members, was elected during the 10th AGM at MEF Connects 2012, attended by 600 industry leaders, during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Barwa Bank, Qatar's fastest growing Shari'ah compliant banking service provider, has launched the country's first Shari'ah compliant credit card that enables customers to earn Barwa Bank Loyalty Points that can then be converted to Qatar Airways Privilege Club Qmiles - reward miles as part of the airline's passenger loyalty programme.
The Islamic fee-based credit card has been carefully developed with Islamic financial expertise, to ensure that the product is within the guidelines of Islamic finance and is 100% Shari’ah compliant.
Barwa Bank Group has announced a 60% increase in basic salaries and allowances for its Qatari employees.
Mr. Steve Troop, CEO, Barwa Bank Group commented: “Attracting, retaining and motivating the right people is central to our growth strategy at the Barwa Bank Group. We are looking to attract the best Qatari talent, to develop their skills and to help them build careers in shari'ah compliant banking and financial services.”
Barwa Bank Group announced that the Board of Directors, at its meeting held on 19th April 2012, approved the financial results for the year ended December 31, 2011.
The Group recorded very strong growth in both balance sheet and profitability, with Net Income for 2011 up by 882% at QR244 mn compared to QR 25mn in 2010. These results from the Shari'ah compliant banking group start-up, demonstrated an ability to generate revenue, keep costs under control and engineer an early move to profitability.
Key features of the 2011 financial results
Barwa Bank, Qatar's fastest growing Shari’ah compliant bank, has been appointed Co-Lead Manager for the Republic of Turkey’s debut Sukuk and, in the same week, has been ranked amongst the top ten for International, Global and MENA region Sukuk arrangers in the Bloomberg Islamic Finance league tables (2012 – ytd*) Ranking as of 17 September 2012.
The Barwa Bank Group, Qatar's fastest growing Shari’ah compliant banking group, is participating in the Annual Qatar Career Fair (QCF), from the 1st – 5th April at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). Mr. Steve Troop, CEO, Bawa Bank commented, “The QCF offers us a great opportunity to engage with Qatari youth. As a fast-growing business, we are keen to attract Qatari talent interested in building a long-term career with Barwa Bank. We are committed to nurturing and supporting local talent through training, and professional development to create a talent pool of young bankers.
Barwa Bank Group, Qatar's fastest growing Shari’ah compliant banking group, is currently hosting a student work experience programme for Commercial Independent Secondary School students, a Qatar Central Bank institution affiliated with the Qatar Foundation. The training programme has 15 Qatari Nationals assigned to different departments across the Barwa Bank Group, and is designed to help prepare young locals for their future careers.
Barwa Bank, Qatar's fastest growing Shari’ah compliant banking service provider, welcomed back Ziyad Rahim, its Head of Market Risk, who returned from participating in the Antarctica Marathon and is the first and only representative from Qatar to ever run a marathon on the planet’s coldest continent. A brilliant trip but a tough race, said Ziyad, who battled over 2,000 ft. of elevation change during the 42K course, 90Km/h katabatic winds, a snowstorm and around minus 18-20c temperature in order to raise awareness for Noma, a gangrenous disease leading to facial tissue destruction.
Barwa Bank, Qatar's fastest growing Shari’ah compliant banking service provider, joined with players from the Barwa Bank Squash Challenger 2012 at an awards ceremony yesterday, at the close of the three day tournament exclusively sponsored by the bank in association with the Qatar Squash Federation (QSF).
Barwa Bank, Qatar's fastest growing Shari’ah compliant banking service provider, is sponsoring the 3rd Educational Forum organised by Al Markhiyah Independent School. The forum will take place in Doha from March 17th to 22nd , 2012.
The forum, themed “Talents and Innovation”, aims at providing a platform for educators to meet with the objective of sharing knowledge and experience. The forum also aims at showcasing best practice in education in Qatar and abroad.
Barwa Bank, Qatar's fastest growing Shari’ah compliant banking service provider, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Hussain Al Abdullah as Head of Retail Banking.
With more than 12 years of experience in the local banking and finance sector, Mr Al Abdullah, as Head of Retail Banking, is responsible for leading and managing Barwa Bank’s Retail Banking division, covering a full spectrum of products and services across the different retail customer segments, and brings a deep understanding and insight to implementation of Barwa Bank’s Retail Banking strategy.
Barwa Bank Group, Qatar's fastest growing Shari’ah compliant banking service provider, today announced that it has won the Islamic Finance News “Qatar Deal of the Year” for its acquisition of the IBQ “al yusr” Islamic retail banking portfolio.
Barwa Bank announces distribution of allocation notices and refunds for its successful Rights Issue
Barwa Bank, the fastest growing bank in Qatar, announced today the distribution of allocation notices and refund payments for its Rights Issue which was successfully completed by 29 December 2011 with a 113% coverage.
Barwa Bank completes subscription for capital increase strong confidence by shareholders and subscription coverage 113%
Barwa Bank, the fastest growing bank in Qatar, announced today that it had successfully completed its Rights Issue which started on December 6, 2011. In a powerful vote of confidence from shareholders, the subscription closed with coverage of 113%.
Following the decision taken at an EGM on October 24, 2011, Barwa Bank announced today that subscription applications have been mailed to all share holders. Subscription will begin on December 6 and close on December 29, 2011.
The offering is of 109,130,900 new shares for subscription, offered to shareholders who were on the register at close-of-businesson October 24, 2011.The bank is offering six shares for every ten shares held. The new shares are offered at QR16 per share, which includes the nominal value of QR10 and a premium of QR 6.
At an Extraordinary General Meeting held on Monday evening, shareholders in Barwa Bank voted in favour of a Rights Issue that will increase the Bank’s Issued Capital from QAR 1.9bn to QAR 3bn. In addition,
Authorised Capital will be increased from the current QAR 2.5bn to QAR 6bn. The vote followed an address to shareholders by the Chairman of Barwa Bank, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Jassim al Thani, in which he highlighted progress made over the last year. His speech covered a number of different areas including;
Barwa Bank, Qatar's newest shari’ah compliant banking service provider, has designed and built the first ATM specifically for people confined to wheelchairs in Qatar at Al Bidda Park.
This service, which is considered the first of its kind in Qatar, aims to bring 24/7 banking services to those currently unable to use ATMs, simply because none of the existing machines in the country are accessible by an individual confined to a wheelchair.
Barwa Bank, Qatar's newest shari’ah compliant banking service provider, recently invited an enthusiastic group of Qatar University students to take part in an internship programme which offered insight into the world of shari’ah compliant banking. The training programme highlighted Barwa Bank’s continuing commitment to the local community and its desire to play a pivotal role in fostering young talent.
Barwa Bank, Qatar's newest Sharia'h compliant bank, has paid for the education of a number of students for one year in Somalia, as part of its joint charity initiative launched during the month of Ramadan, in co-operation with Qatar Charity. Barwa Bank donated the a year’s fees for a student's education for each and every new salary transfer during the holy month of Ramadan. The initiative was well received by customers, who were glad to bank for a good cause.
Barwa Bank, Qatar's newest Sharia'h compliant banking serviceprovider, in collaboration with Qatar Charity is organising the first Ramadan indoorfootball championship in Qatar. The tournament will start today in Al Sadd Club inDoha.
The tournament is organised by Barwa Bank in which 16 teams have registered toplay in 4 groups from August 1 till August 19. Barwa Bank will triple the amount ofregistration fees and donate it to Qatar Charity to help families and children in Qatarduring the month of Ramadan.
Barwa Bank, Qatar's newest Sharia'h compliant banking serviceprovider, has signed a finance agreement worth QR1.8b with QD-SBG ConstructionCompany, a company set up between Qatari Diar and Saudi Binladin, together withBarwa Real Estate and The First Investor, a subsidiary of Barwa Bank. The deal aimsto finance one of the company's major projects, the Dukhan Highway.
Barwa Bank wins “Best Bank Branding” at the Banker Middle East Industry Awards 2011
Doha, 27th June 2011 – Barwa Bank have received a major award at the Banker Middle East Industry Awards, hosted in Dubai on 22nd June.
Barwa Bank, Qatar's newest Sharia'h compliant banking service provider, held a seminar entitled “The Future of Islamic Finance” on June 13, 2011 in Four Seasons.
The seminar was attended by over 70 invitees representing the business community in Qatar, who were introduced to the vision and strategy of Barwa Bank and the initiatives it is leading in corporate and business banking area.
Barwa Bank wins “Best Bank Branding” at the Banker Middle East Industry Awards 2011
Doha, 27th June 2011 – Barwa Bank have received a major award at the BankerMiddle East Industry Awards, hosted in Dubai on 22nd June.
Barwa Bank, Qatar's newest Sharia'h compliant banking service provider, has entered into a finance agreement worth QAR 529m with National Petroleum Services Group (NPS) to refinance an existing syndication and support expansion and working capital.
Barwa Bank held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at which the financial results for 2010 were approved. The AGM was held on May 11, where shareholders listened to the financial reports and approved the agenda of the meeting.
H.E. Sheikh Mohamad Bin Hamad Bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of Barwa Bank gave a detailed report on the bank's activities and financial results approved by the board of directors, and highlighted the good results achieved by the bank in 2010.
Barwa Bank held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at which the financial results for 2010 were approved. The AGM was held on May 11, where shareholders listened to the financial reports and approved the agenda of the meeting.
H.E. Sheikh Mohamad Bin Hamad Bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of Barwa Bank gave a detailed report on the bank's activities and financial results approved by the board of directors, and highlighted the good results achieved by the bank in 2010.
