Qatar National Bank (QNB) posted a 9% rise in quarterly profit on Monday, helped by healthy loan growth and cost savings, Trend reports with reference to Reuters.
Gulf banks are recovering as pandemic-linked restrictions are eased and economic activity picks up, enjoying a boost from higher energy prices as oil is the region's biggest export.
The Gulf's biggest bank reported a net profit of 3.62 billion Qatar riyals ($989.6 million) for the three months to March 31, up from 3.31 billion riyals a year earlier.
EFG Hermes had predicted a net profit of 3.68 billion riyals in the first quarter.
QNB said in a statement that loans and advances grew 6% in the first quarter from a year earlier, as economic activity picked up.
S&P Global rating expects Qatar's economy to expand 4% in 2022, supported by high vaccination rates, the soccer World Cup, and higher hydrocarbon prices.
The bank said its cost-to-income ratio fell to 20.8% in the first quarter from 23.4% a year earlier, citing cost-savings and enhanced revenue sources. Customer deposits grew by 5%.
QNB has received regulatory approval to increase its foreign ownership limit to 100% from April 6, it said.