Dr Al-Shaibei: The rating affirmation reflects our strong financial position and the resilience of our operations in facing shifts

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Qatar International Islamic Bank’s (QIIB) Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'A' and its Short-Term IDR at 'F1', while maintaining the bank on Rating Watch Negative (RWN).
In its latest commentary, the rating agency clarified that placing QIIB on RWN is not driven by any idiosyncratic factors related to the bank’s financial performance. Rather, it is linked to broader regional risks and pressures currently impacting the overall operating environment.
Fitch emphasised that QIIB’s creditworthiness is anchored by a solid sovereign baseline, driven by a strong and continuous probability of government support if needed.
This is reflected in the bank’s Government Support Rating (GSR) of 'A', backed by the State of Qatar’s exceptionally strong fiscal position, substantial reserves, and large net foreign assets.
Furthermore, Fitch highlighted QIIB’s intrinsic strengths, including its deeply rooted franchise in the domestic market as one of the key pillars of stable Islamic banking.
The agency lauded the bank’s standalone and operational metrics, noting that QIIB is characterised by solid asset quality, expanding profitability, and robust, sustainable liquidity levels.
A clear competitive advantage for QIIB over its domestic peers, Fitch noted, is its low and limited reliance on foreign and non-resident funding, which effectively insulates the bank from global market volatility and enhances its financial stability.
Fitch specifically highlighted the decline in the bank's non-performing financing (NPL) ratio to 2.6% at the end of the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, down from 2.9% recorded at year-end 2025, supported by active recoveries and financing portfolio growth.
In tandem, the bank’s non-performing financing coverage ratio increased to 100% by the end of Q1, 2026, reflecting a highly cautious and prudent provisioning policy.
Commenting on Fitch's affirmation of QIIB’s ratings, Dr. Abdulbasit Ahmed al-Shaibei, Chief Executive Officer of QIIB, stated:"Fitch Ratings' affirmation of QIIB’s advanced rating at 'A' serves as renewed tangible proof of the bank’s structural resilience and the efficacy of the proactive strategies we deploy to navigate various economic developments , tied to geopolitical conditions .That’s underscores the strong correlation between our bank’s robust performance and the solid economic umbrella of the State of Qatar, which possesses exceptional financial capabilities and solvency to safeguard and support the banking sector under all circumstances."
Dr al-Shaibei added:"We are highly satisfied with the qualitative indicators monitored by the report, particularly our success in lowering the non-performing financing ratio, alongside the increase in core operational performance and capital adequacy ratios.
These outstanding metrics would not have been achieved without the efficiency of QIIB’s operational framework and our teams' high capability to read market trends, capitalise on opportunities, and confront challenges with genuine agility that transforms risks into sustainable growth pathways."
QIIB Chief Executive Officer expressed his profound appreciation to the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) for its wise monetary and regulatory policies and its prudent regulations, which represent the ultimate safety valve and the foundation from which the Qatari banking sector derives its regional and international stability and preeminence.
Dr al-Shaibei concluded his statement by stressing:
"QIIB remains committed to executing the ambitious strategy set out by the Board of Directors. This strategy fundamentally focuses on prioritising the opportunity-rich domestic market and managing risks with utmost prudence and diligence, while pressing forward with our successful journey of comprehensive digital transformation to enhance operational efficiency and continuing to innovate in Islamic financial services to meet our clients' aspirations and deliver the best returns for our shareholders."