Qatar Central Bank issues banking guidelines for elderly and people with disabilities
QCB indicated that the targeted groups include customers with disabilities who are able to make their own decisions, as well as the elderly.
The circular outlines several required provisions, including facilitating access for customers from the targeted groups in all bank branches and ATM locations for banking services by providing ramps, electronic doors, tactile floor signs.
QCB stressed giving priority to the targeted groups when conducting transactions in the bank, ensuring privacy for customers with disabilities, and training a portion of the customer service staff on the basics of sign language or providing a virtual interpreter, in addition to educating targeted customers about the risks associated with over-indebtedness, providing ATMs equipped with Braille and audio headsets at a rate of 15% of the total number of ATMs, and placing a clear signal on ATM machines indicating the type of disability supported by the machine.
Additionally, banks must guide customers with disabilities to the nearest supportive banking services (branches and/or ATMs).
QCB also urged banks to train staff to recognize and respond to financial exploitation of the elderly and meet with elderly clients to confirm agreed arrangements and ensure they understand the agent's legal authority, in addition to encourage the elderly to seek independent legal and financial advice before granting power of attorney and informing the elderly clients of all actions the agent may take under the power of attorney.
Banks are given a period of five months to comply with these requirements, QCB said.
Qatar Central Bank issues Financial Services for Customers with Disabilities and the Elderly. #Qatar_Central_Bank pic.twitter.com/00fUztfigm
— مصرف قطر المركزي (@QCBQATAR) July 15, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
QIIB reports net profit of QR 689 mn in H1 2025, approves 24% interim dividend
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar International Islamic Bank (QIIB) has reported a net profit of QR 689 million for the first half of 2025, marking a 5.2 percent increase over the same period last year. Earnings per share stood at QR 0.41. Announcing the results, QIIB Board of Directors Chairman Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani emphasised the bank's sustainable growth and strategic alignment with Qatar's robust economic trajectory. The board of directors, following its meeting to review the financial statements, approved an interim cash dividend of 24 percent of the nominal share value (QR 0.24 per share), subject to approval by the Qatar Central Bank. The dividend will be distributed to shareholders registered as of July 28, 2025. Highlighting the bank's resilience and innovation-driven performance, Dr Khalid said, 'QIIB continues to build on its strong fundamentals, achieving sustainable growth while supporting the national economy. We are leveraging Qatar's progressive economic environment to expand our services and customer base.' Total assets of the bank grew to QR60.6 billion, up 2.2 percent from the first half of 2024, while net financing assets reached QR39.0 billion. Customer deposits rose by 4.4 percent to QR42.2 billion, and shareholders' equity increased to QR9.8 billion. The capital adequacy ratio under Basel III stood at a robust 19.65 percent. Moody's and Fitch have maintained QIIB's credit ratings at 'A2' and 'A' respectively, both with a stable outlook, reflecting the bank's asset quality, profitability, and liquidity position. QIIB CEO Dr Abdulbasit Ahmad Al Shaibei noted that net operating income rose by 11.6 percent year-on-year to QR1.1 billion. He attributed the strong performance to operational efficiency—with a cost-to-income ratio of 18.9 percent —and continued digital transformation. He added that asset quality remained strong, with non-performing financing at just 2.97 percent and full coverage for such exposures. The bank's social responsibility initiatives in education, healthcare, and sports also continued, including its strategic partnership with the Qatar Football Association. On human capital development, Al Shaibei reaffirmed QIIB's commitment to empowering Qatari talent, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030. 'We are proud of our achievements in H1 2025 and remain committed to delivering sustainable value to our clients and shareholders,'he concluded.
Qatar Tribune
16-07-2025
- Qatar Tribune
QIB net profit up 5.3% to QR2.18 billion in H1
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), the country's leading Shari'a-compliant financial institution, has reported a net profit of QR2,175 million for the six-month period ending 30 June 2025, marking a 5.3 percent increase compared to QR2,065 million recorded during the same period last year. The bank's earnings per share rose to QR0.92 in H1 2025 from QR0.87 in H1 2024, reflecting sustained profitability growth. In a move reinforcing its shareholder-friendly policies, QIB's board of directors has approved an interim cash dividend of QR0.40 per share, equivalent to 40 percent of the nominal share value. This payout, which is subject to regulatory approval from Qatar Central Bank, will be distributed to shareholders registered as of market close on July 24, 2025. QIB's total assets surged to QR212.1 billion as of 30 June 2025, registering a 5.6 percent growth from December 2024 and a 10.3 percent increase year-on-year. The bank attributed this robust asset growth primarily to increased financing and investing activities. Financing assets climbed to QR130.8 billion, reflecting a 4.4 percent increase from December 2024 and a 3.1 percent rise compared to June 2024. Investment securities reached QR60.1 billion, up 13.4 percent from December 2024 and 21.9 percent higher year-on-year, as QIB continued to diversify and strengthen its investment portfolio. Customer deposits increased to QR135 billion, registering an 8 percent rise since December 2024 and a 10 percent increase compared to June 2024. The finance-to-deposit ratio stood at 96.8 percent, one of the lowest among Qatari banks, underlining QIB's strong and stable liquidityprofile. QIB's total income for H1 2025 reached QR5,642.8 million, up slightly from QR5,609.3 million in the same period last year. Net income from financing and investing activities alone amounted to QR5,127.8 million, underscoring the bank's core revenue-generating strength. Operational efficiency remains a cornerstone of QIB's strategy. The bank's total operating expenses stood at QR537.7 million for the first half of 2025. Cost containment efforts brought the cost-to-income ratio down to 16.4 percent—once again the lowest in Qatar's bankingsector. On the asset quality front, QIB maintained its ratio of non-performing financing assets to total financing assets at 1.75 percent, showcasing strong credit risk management and prudent underwriting standards. Coverage for non-performing assets stood at 95.1 percent as of 30 June 2025, supported by a conservative provisioning strategy. QIB's shareholders' equity increased to QR28.1 billion, marking a 3.4 percent rise from December 2024 and a 9.2 percent increase year-on-year. The capital adequacy ratio (CAR), calculated according to the new Qatar Central Bank guidelines, stood at a robust 22 percent—well above the regulatory minimum and Basel III requirements. QIB's financial strength and stability were reaffirmed by major global credit rating agencies. In June 2025, Fitch Ratings affirmed QIB's long-term issuer default rating at 'A' with a stable outlook. Moody's maintained its 'A1' rating with a stable outlook, while Capital Intelligence Ratings (CI) affirmed a long-term rating of 'AA-' with a stable outlook in March 2025. As QIB continues to deliver on its strategic goals, the bank remains committed to sustainable growth, digital innovation, and value creation for its customers and stakeholders, further reinforcing its leading position in Qatar's Islamic banking sector.
Qatar Tribune
15-07-2025
- Qatar Tribune
QCB issues new rules to improve banking access for elderly and disabled
Tribune News Network Doha In a landmark move to promote financial inclusion, the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) has issued a comprehensive circular mandating all banks and financial institutions in the country to improve access to financial services for the elderly and individuals with disabilities. This initiative aligns with the Third Financial Sector Strategy and Qatar's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) & Sustainability Strategy for the Financial Sector, reflecting the country's commitment to building an inclusive and accessible financial environment. The new guidelines focus on two key customer groups: elderly clients and individuals with disabilities who are capable of making their own financial decisions. Banks are now required to make structural and service-related modifications to ensure that these groups can access and benefit from banking services independently and with dignity. Under the new regulations, all bank branches and ATM locations must be physically accessible. This includes the installation of ramps, electronic doors, and tactile floor signage to support customers with mobility or visual impairments. Furthermore, the targeted customer groups must be given priority when conducting transactions within bank premises, ensuring they are not subjected to long wait times or unnecessary procedural delays. Privacy during banking transactions must be strictly maintained, particularly for customers with disabilities. To bridge communication gaps, the QCB has instructed banks to train a segment of their customer service personnel in basic sign language. Where this is not feasible, institutions are expected to offer virtual interpreter services to assist customers with hearingimpairments. Educational initiatives must also be undertaken to inform these vulnerable groups, especially the elderly, about the risks of over-indebtedness, thereby enabling them to make informed and responsible financial decisions. A key feature of the directive is the requirement that at least 15 percent of all ATM machines be equipped with Braille and audio headset facilities. These machines must be clearly marked with symbols indicating which types of disabilities they support. Banks are also responsible for guiding customers with disabilities to the nearest accessible branches or ATM facilities to ensure smooth and uninterrupted access to essential banking services. The Central Bank's instructions also place strong emphasis on protecting elderly clients from financial exploitation. Bank employees will receive training to recognize and respond appropriately to signs of financial abuse. Institutions must take proactive steps by meeting with elderly customers to confirm the details of financial arrangements, particularly those involving powers of attorney, and ensure that these clients fully understand the legal implications. Elderly individuals must also be encouraged to seek independent legal or financial advice before authorizing another person to manage their financial affairs. To ensure uniform implementation, QCB has given all banks and financial institutions operating in Qatar a period of five months to comply with the new set of regulations. This move by Qatar's apex banking authority is a significant step toward fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and supportive financial landscape—one that acknowledges and accommodates the diverse needs of its citizens.
