The Banking Executive Issue - October 2025 Issue

STEADY FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND GROWTH Since Hassan AlEfrangi assumed lead- ership in 2020, Ahlibank has demon- strated a pattern of steady, sustainable growth that reflects both strategic clarity and disciplined execution. The bank’s journey over the past few years tells a story of resilience: in 2021, it delivered a net profit of QAR 713 mil- lion despite the lingering effects of the pandemic, proving that prudent risk management and careful oversight of costs could yield tangible results even in uncertain times. The following years underscored this consistency. In 2022, net profit rose to QAR 772 million, an 8.2 percent increase from the previous year, while operating income and net interest in- come both registered healthy growth. By 2023, Ahlibank had advanced fur- ther, posting profits of QAR 837 mil- lion, an 8.4 percent rise over 2022. Importantly, this was not growth for growth’s sake; the bank’s balance sheet expanded in a measured and sustainable way, with total assets climbing from approximately QAR 49 billion to QAR 60 billion, making it one of the fastest-growing institutions in Qatar at the time. These results re- flected a carefully balanced expan- sion in both lending and deposits, supported by growing customer con- fidence. The year 2024 continued this upward trajectory, with net profit reaching QAR 891.6 million — a 6.6 percent increase over 2023. Once again, the bank maintained a disciplined ap- proach, strengthening its core income streams while keeping a close watch on asset quality. Non-performing loans were kept under control, and provision coverage remained ro- bust, reinforcing Ahlibank’s reputa- tion for responsible growth. The performance also allowed the board to reward shareholders with an in- creased dividend, a sign of confi- dence in the sustainability of the bank’s earnings. The momentum carried into 2025. In the first quarter, Ahlibank reported a net profit of QAR 229 million, repre- senting a 5.1 percent rise compared with the same period in 2024. By mid-year, the bank had achieved a net profit of QAR 402.4 million for the first half, another five percent in- crease over the corresponding period of the previous year. These results came alongside modest but steady growth in assets, loans, and deposits, with returns on equity holding strong at around 12.5 percent. Asset quality remained sound, with non-perform- ing loans being at the lower end, and capital adequacy ratios of 20.4% as at June 2025, well above regulatory requirements, providing the bank with a comfortable cushion against volatility. Taken together, these figures illustrate a broader narrative: under AlEfrangi’s leadership, Ahlibank has built a finan- cial performance record that is not defined by dramatic swings or short- term gains, but by consistency, re- silience, and a clear trajectory of sustainable growth. It is this reliability that has strengthened trust among shareholders, customers, and interna- tional investors alike, and positioned Ahlibank as a key player in Qatar’s evolving financial landscape. ISSUE 202 OCTOBER 2025 the BANKING EXECUTIVE 9 Ahlibank’s Strategic Rise