Al-Raisi (centre) with Commercial Bank’s top management team during the media roundtable yesterday.


Commercial Bank has announced a series of events to mark the 40th anniversary of Qatar’s first private bank and unveiled a unique anniversary logo and corporate anthem as part of the landmark occasion.
The highlight of the celebrations will be a public concert at the Museum of Islamic Art Park by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra on May 2, said Commercial Bank CEO Abdulla Saleh al-Raisi.
At a media roundtable at the Commercial Bank Plaza yesterday, al-Raisi said,
 “2015 is a special year for Commercial Bank as we mark our 40th year as the oldest and largest private sector bank in Qatar. From entrepreneurial beginnings, Commercial Bank has gone from strength to strength driven by the spirit of ambition, entrepreneurship and innovation that our founders believed in and are still at the core of our business.
“We are proud to be a home-grown Qatari bank with strong roots in Qatar for four decades and we remain wholly committed to Qatar as our source of inspiration. We are optimistic about the future, and look forward to continuing to serve our loyal customers over the next 40 years and beyond under the visionary leadership of HH the Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.”
 Al-Raisi explained the concept behind the bank’s 40th anniversary logo, which he said “reflects the 40 years of prosperity and innovation” since Commercial Bank began operations.
“Profitable every year since its inception, Commercial Bank has brought many ‘firsts’ to Qatar such as ATMs, credit cards, point of sale machines, Internet banking, and was the first Qatari bank to list on the London Stock Exchange.”
Reflecting on Commercial Bank’s history, al-Raisi explained that the bank was incorporated in 1974 as Qatar’s first private bank and opened its doors for business on April 10, 1975. The bank was established by the visionary leadership of eight founders from prominent Qatari families who laid the foundations for ongoing success. Three of the original directors are still connected with the Board, including vice chairman and managing director, Hussain Alfardan, board member, Jassim Mohamed Jabor al- Mosallam and Commercial Bank chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali bin Jabor al-Thani, who is continuing the legacy of his father, Sheikh Ali bin Jabor al-Thani, who was the bank’s first chairman.
Commercial Bank executive general manager and chief risk officer Rana Salatt, played a recording of Commercial Bank’s corporate anthem specially commissioned for the bank’s 40th anniversary. This unique anthem was composed for Commercial Bank by the famous Qatari composer, Wael Hassan Ali bin Ali, and recorded in Doha by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra.
Influenced by the bank’s Qatari heritage, the anthem integrates local Arabic with classic symphony sounds of an orchestra, and the style of music reflects the positivity of Commercial Bank’s characteristics as encapsulated in its brand promise: “Everything is possible.”
Commercial Bank executive general manager (Strategic Clients) Abduljalil Borhani revealed that Commercial Bank commissioned a commemorative book for the 40th anniversary titled: “Commercial Bank and the rise of Qatar.”
Printed in two parts, the book is a photographic celebration of Qatar today, with mixture of both written and visual historical records of Commercial Bank’s achievements since 1975, as well as images and profiles of prominent members in Qatari culture. Copies of the books will be given to all staff members at the Bank, as well as to key customers. A mobile anniversary exhibition displaying Commercial Bank’s historic growth will also be travelling to five Commercial Bank branches throughout Qatar from April 21.
Executive general manager (Government Relations) Khalifa al-Rayes said Commercial Bank will also host an ‘exclusive VIP dinner’ for the bank’s founders, directors, key customers and around 300 high profile dignitaries. It will take place in a specially constructed area next to Commercial Bank Plaza, where guests will have a “dramatic view of a light and sound display” using the bank’s headquarters building on the Corniche as a backdrop. Awards will be given during the dinner to selected people in appreciation of their role in supporting Commercial Bank’s success and prosperity.
Commercial Bank executive general manager and chief human capital officer, Sharoq al-Malki, said that Commercial Bank’s staff have always played an important role in the success of Commercial Bank over the past 40 years.
“As a reward for their outstanding contributions, Commercial Bank will host a fun day for staff and their families at a specially constructed area in the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park. During the staff event, a variety of different activities will take place, including a workshop tent for arts and crafts, a history exhibition and face painting. Commercial Bank will also host an awards ceremony for long-serving staff, of which there are many, to showcase that the bank is a great place to work and remains an employer of choice in Qatar.”