C Bk Qatar S Regulatory News (CBQS)

News Release

Thursday 17th January 2013: "The Commercial Bank of Qatar (Q.S.C.) announced on 24 December 2012 that it had commenced negotiations with Anadolu Endustri Holding A.S. for the acquisition of a majority stake in Alternatifbank A.S.; negotiations for the acquisition of 75% of the shares are ongoing and are planned to be completed during March 2013".

Notes to Editors:

About Commercial Bank

Commercialbank has total assets of QR 76.4 billion as at 30 September 2012. As a full service commercial bank, the Bank offers a full range of corporate, retail, and investment banking services as well as owning and operating exclusive Diners Club franchises in Qatar and Oman. The Bank's countrywide network includes 29 full service branches and 162 ATMs. Profitable every year since incorporation in 1975, continual investment in technology and human capital, together with a strong capital base, provides a solid foundation for continued growth.

A successful diversification strategy has expanded Commercialbank's GCC footprint through strategic partnerships with associated banks, the National Bank of Oman (NBO) in Oman and United Arab Bank (UAB) in the UAE. NBO, the second largest bank in Oman with total assets of RO 2.5 billion as at 30 September 2012, has 66 branches in Oman, 3 branches in Egypt and 1 in Abu Dhabi. UAB is headquartered in Sharjah, with total assets of AED 13.2 billion as at 30 September 2012 and operates 15 branches across the emirates in the UAE. Commercialbank enjoys strong credit ratings of (A) from Fitch, (A1) from Moody's and (A-) from Standard & Poor's. The Bank is listed on the Qatar Exchange and was the first Qatari bank to list its Global Depository Receipts (GDRs) as well as bonds on the London Stock Exchange. Additionally, Commercialbank's Swiss Franc bond issuance in December 2010, listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, was the first public bond issuance by a Qatari bank in Switzerland.