2,175 Million Qatari Riyals net profit Achieved by Masraf Al Rayan during 2020

Jan 19 2021

QAR 0.170 per share dividends to shareholders

March 2, 2021 is the date for the Ordinary General Assembly meeting

Doha, 19 January 2021

Masraf Al Rayan announced today that it has achieved a net profit of QAR 2,175 million during the year ended 31 December 2020. The Board of Directors of Masraf Al Rayan proposed in its meeting held on 19 January 2021 to distribute cash dividends of QAR 0.170 per share (17% of the paid-up capital), for recommendation to the Ordinary General Assembly on its meeting to be held on 2 March 2021, after obtaining the approval from Qatar Central Bank.

The Board also set Tuesday, 2 March 2021, as the date for the Ordinary General Assembly meeting of Masraf Al Rayan.

Commenting on the financial results, His Excellency Mr. Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Chairman and Managing Director, said:

"Year 2020 was an exceptional one by all standards; and we are happy to have successfully passed that stage. Year 2020 witnessed events not witnessed before; Corona pandemic that caused measures that hindered economic activity together with the movement of individuals in general and affected global markets, and their combination with the decline in energy prices to record numbers as a result of the low demand for them, the caution in the markets and the decrease in liquidity, also the negative results of global growth, the high cost of borrowing, and the calculation of higher rates of allocations as a precautionary measure, all contributed to considering year 2020 an exceptional one, however, our insistence was great at Masraf Al Rayan to face these difficulties and come up with the best results, relying on the strength and durability of the Qatari economy, and government measures that were supportive of all economic activities, so we hope that we have succeeded in that”.

His Excellency added:

“The recommendation of the Board of Directors of Masraf Al Rayan to distribute QAR 0.170 per share to the shareholders - which is subject to the approval of Qatar Central Bank and the General Assembly of Al Rayan Bank - is the best evidence to the proper performance of Masraf Al Rayan, and the great efforts made by its executive management and its work team”.

As to Mr. Adel Mustafawi, Group CEO, he saw that the results are good, and considered achieving them a great challenge, especially since Masraf Al Rayan, in its commitment to the strategy approved by the Board of Directors, has maintained its credit rating, also has maintained its position amongst banks in the State of Qatar, and maintained its financial indicators ratios; achieving the lead in terms of operational efficiency and a low ratio of bad debts.

Mr. Mustafawi listed the data and some financial indicators to be as follows:

Main Data

  • Total assets amounted to QAR 121,115 million compared to QAR 106,397 million as of December 31, 2019, a growth of 13.8%.
  • Financing activities amounted to QAR 85,983 million compared to QAR 74,837 million as of December 31, 2019, a growth of 14.9%.
  • Investments totaled QAR 21,120 million as of December 31, 2020.
  • Customer deposits increased to reach QAR 68,918 million compared to QAR 65,613 million as of December 31, 2019, an increase of 5.0%.
  • Total shareholders' equity (before distribution) reached QAR 14,365 million, compared to QAR 13,919 million at the end of 2019, with an increase of 3.2%.

FINANCIAL INDICATORS

  • Return on average assets maintained an advanced position in the financial market, reaching 1.91%
  • Return on the average shareholders' equity of the bank reached 15.38%
  • The earnings per share were QAR 0.29 compared to QAR 0.29 at the end of 2019.
  • Book value per share before distribution is QAR 1.92 compared to QAR 1.86 as of December 31, 2019.
  • The capital adequacy ratio reached 19.70% according to Basel III standards, compared to 20.27% by the end of 2019.
  • Operating efficiency ratio (cost to income ratio) has reached 21.58% to remain one of the best ratios in the region.
  • The non-performing financing ratio (NPF) has reached 1.13%, which is reflecting very strong and prudent credit and risk management policies and procedures

MASRAF AL RAYAN’S PRODUCTS

Masraf Al Rayan continues to focus with interest on improving its products and providing integrated financing solutions compatible with the provisions of Islamic law to individual and corporate customers alike, through its various products that include accounts of all kinds, investment deposits, financing, various credit cards, and the benefits provided by the renewable promotional programs, with a priority given to updating programs and systems and using modern technologies that would develop customers' behavior by converting their transactions into digital banking through advanced digital platforms, while making sure to use the best applied applications to reduce operational and system-related risks; and to preserve customer data.

Al Rayan Bank is also committed to implementing the provisions of Law No. (20) of year 2019 regarding combating money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism; taking into account both the executive regulations of the law and the instructions of the Qatar Central Bank in this regard. The bank has updated all its relevant policies and developed a set of policies and guidelines to adhere to combating Crimes Financing; also we are in constant contact with the Qatar Central Bank and the State's Financial Information Unit in all matters related to that.

As for Masraf Al Rayan’s services, they have been prepared to meet the provision of services 24 hours a day through branches and call center, and Al Rayan Net banking service with an emphasis on the existence of several existing projects to add a package of new services and additional features through alternative banking channels.

HUMAN RESOURCES AND TRAINING

Masraf Al Rayan gives an utmost importance to the process of training and developing to its employees in general, with a focus on developing the Qatari cadre in particular in line with Masraf Al Rayan’s strategies, as the bank’s departments work diligently to raise the professional and administrative competencies and skills of their employees in cooperation with various state agencies together with local and international specialized training centers, the types of training covered various theoretical and practical aspects with a focus on Qatari leadership development programs. Masraf Al Rayan was keen to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Qatar Finance and Business Academy; by participating annually in the Kawader Program, to graduate a batch of its newly graduated Qatari employees.

During year 2020, the Training and Development Department, in line with the Corona pandemic, transferred all trainings for all Bank Al Rayan’s employees to a "Distance Training System" to attend various training programs, workshops and conferences using the available modern electronic means and systems.

In compliance with the requirements of Qatar Central Bank, the Training and Development Department has organized a mandatory training program "Combating Financial Crimes" for all its employees with an aim of providing employees with knowledge and skills related to money laundering, terrorism financing and combating fraud, bribery and corruption.

In line with enhancing cooperation and continuing exchange of experiences with various authorities in the country, the bank participated in a number of lectures and technical workshops, including a lecture on the lessons learned from the latest threats and cyber-attacks, their mechanisms and methods of occurrence, with the aim to benefit from them, developing capabilities and knowing the weaknesses, in cooperation with the Cyber Security Center Affiliated to the Ministry of Interior.

GOVERNANCE AT MASRAF AL RAYAN

After years of implementing governance instructions issued by the Qatar Central Bank and Qatar Financial Markets Authority, and upgrading these applications year after year, we can confirm that we, at Masraf Al Rayan, have reached an advanced position in this field, as good governance has become part of the daily practices of Masraf Al Rayan; in pursuit of the principle of transparency, responsibility, justice and equality.

MASRAF AL RAYAN’S RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS SOCIENTY AND ENVIRONMENT

Masraf Al Rayan is keen to carry out its duty towards the environment and society, through active and serious participation in the corporate social responsibility system, especially in light of the conditions imposed by the spread of Coronavirus epidemic. Al Rayan Bank was keen to implement government instructions issued in this regard, through strict procedures that included hygiene, employees working hours, cooperation with the competent health authorities, and enhancing customer service remotely by providing them with the use of modern technologies that enable them to enjoy most banking services in the shortest possible time, without trouble.

On the other hand, Masraf Al Rayan continued its support to local and foreign universities and colleges and Qatar Schools of Banking Sciences and Business Administration by providing practical vocational training opportunities for students and supporting research for students in order to develop and prepare a promising banking generation of Qatari students, in addition to the bank’s active participation in career fairs held in the country.