The bank says that the booming Qatari economy had contributed to growth in all of its core markets.

Loans and advances grew by 36 per cent to QR29.8bn and total assets rose by 49 per cent compared with the same period last year, to QR53.8bn.

The bank also improved its cost-income ratio to 24.5 per cent, from 26.9 per cent during the same period last year, and return on equity increased to 32.8 per cent.

National Bank of Oman and United Arab Bank, in which CBQ holds significant shareholdings, contributed almost 10 per cent of total operating income.