The Qatari banking sector comprises of a combination of national and foreign banks. A total of 15 banks currently operate in Qatar, seven of which are Qatari owned institutions, including five commercial banks (Al Ahli Bank, Commercial bank, Doha Bank, Grindlays Qatar Bank, and Qatar National Bank) and two Islamic institutions (Qatar Islamic Bank and Qatar International Islamic Bank).Also represented is the local branches of seven foreign banks including Arab Bank, Bank Saderat Iran, HSBC, Mashreqbank, BNP Paribas, Standard Chartered, and United Bank. A specialized government owned institution - Qatar Industrial Development Bank, was established in 1997 and provides financing to small and medium scale industries.

Recent developments in the domestic banking sector has seen the sale of a 40% stake in Al-Ahli Bank of Qatar to Al-Ahli Bank of Bahrain. This marks the first instance in which a foreign financial institution has taken up a stake in a Qatari bank.

The majority extend standard individual banking facilities and most offer 24-hour access to accounts through Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and some via telephone or PC banking or through call centers.

The banking sector is supervised by Qatar Central Bank (QCB), which was incorporated in 1993 when it took over the responsibilities of the former Qatar Monetary Agency. The QCB has introduced major international standards applicable to banking supervision and regulations based on the Basle Accord. Qatar Central Bank has set the minimum capital adequacy regulations applicable to Qatari banks at 10%, compared to the Basle rate of 8%. In February 2001, the QCB removed its ceiling on interest rates for local currency deposits, thereby freeing the banking system from all interest rate policy restrictions.

The majority extend standard individual banking facilities and most offer 24-hour access to accounts through Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and some via telephone or PC banking or through call centers.