Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s banking sector loan book remained flat month on month (MoM) while deposits increased by 1.9% MoM and saw a rise of 3.6% versus year-end 2025 to QR1,081.9bn in March 2026, according to a report released by QNB Financial Services (QNBFS).
The loans expanded by 1.6% in March 2026 year to date (YTD). Meanwhile the loans declined 0.2% MoM in March reaching QR1,458bn.
The public sector deposits expanded by 6.5% MoM (+1.8% versus FY2025) in March this year. Looking at segment details, the government segment (which represents approximately 30% of public sector deposits) increased by 8.7% MoM (-5.4% vs. FY2025).
Moreover, the government institutions’ (representing approximately 55% of public sector deposits) also expanded by 7.2% MoM (approximately 5.3% versus FY2025), while the semi-government institutions’ segment (represents around 15% of public sector deposits) remained flat MoM (+5.4% versus FY2025) during March 2026.
The non-resident deposits retreated by 1.7% MoM (+5.5% versus FY2025) during March 2026. Non-resident deposits as a percentage of total deposits moved up from from 18.8% in FY2025 to 19.1% in March this year.
Meanwhile the private sector deposits inched up 0.3% MoM (+4.1% versus FY2025) in March 2026. On the private sector front, companies and institutions increased up 1.6% sequentially (+6.8% versus FY2025). On the other hand, the consumer segment receded 0.6% MoM (+2.1% versus FY2025).
The overall loan book remained flat MoM in March 2026 as result of strong performance from the international loans, offsetting the decline from public sector (approximately 3.3%), while private sector loans remained flat. Total public sector loans sequentially receded by 3.3% (nearly 3.9% versus FY2025) in March 2026.
The government segment (represents approximately 40% of public sector loans) decreased by 2.2% MoM (+15.0% versus FY2025), while the government institutions segment (represents nearly 52% of total public sector loans) contracted by 5.1% MoM (-16.3% versus FY2025).
On the other hand, the semi-government institutions’ segment (represents 9% of total public sector loans) contributed positively although immaterially, moving up by 2.3% MoM (+10.4% vs. FY2025) during March 2026.
The total private sector loans remained flat MoM (+0.5% versus FY2025) during the month of March with the real estate segment mitigating declines from other segments.
Meanwhile outside Qatar loans expanded sequentially by 9.7% in March 2026 (+38.3% versus year-end 2025).
Qatar banking sector loan provisions to gross loans remained flat at 4.1% MoM in March 2026 compared to 4% as of year-end 2025. The loan loss provisions increased 3.2% MoM (+4.3 versus year-end 2025). So far Stage 3 loans have remained stable. Banks continue to provide buffers for Stage 1 and 2 loans, the report noted.
The total assets of banking sector remained flat MoM (+0.7% versus year-end 2025) in March 2026 at QR2.167 trillion.
The assets grew by an average 5% over the past five years (2020-2025). Liquid Assets to Total Assets stood at a healthy 30% level in March 2026. The banking sector liquid assets to total assets stood at 30% in March, in-line with 30% in January/February, which remains in a strong position.
The banking sector stands to benefit from the country’s strategic vision – the Third National Development Strategy (NDS-3) for 2024-30, which prioritises financial services for future development and diversification.
