Interview: Joseph Abraham, Group CEO, Commercial Bank of Qatar, on enhanced opportunities in trade finance and advanced technology
How is the rapid adoption of digital banking reshaping customer expectations and influencing the competitive landscape in the financial sector?
JOSEPH ABRAHAM: The shift towards digital banking in Qatar is fundamentally changing customer expectations. Today’s customers demand convenience, speed, personalisation and seamless service across all channels. In response, banks are embedding digital innovation deeply within their corporate strategies. Significant investment has been made in technology and talent to modernise service delivery. As a result, over 98% of financial transactions across leading institutions now occur through automated channels. Banks offer digital solutions such as 60-second remittances, remote wealth management services, video relationship management and digital account openings. On the corporate side, digital adoption has accelerated, with over 90% of payments, 99% of salary disbursements and 96% of trade transactions processed digitally.
In what ways are banks leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to improve service delivery?
ABRAHAM: AI and machine learning are becoming essential tools across the sector. The Qatar Central Bank has taken proactive steps to encourage AI adoption and support financial technology (fintech) collaborations, recognising advanced technologies’ critical role in financial services innovation. Banks are increasingly integrating AI to enhance client experience, improve operational efficiency and strengthen risk management. Character recognition solutions and intelligent email handling are among the technologies already implemented, helping streamline operations and accelerate processing speeds. AI also manages payments at higher volumes while maintaining safety and reducing turnaround times. In parallel, banks are applying AI to predict credit risk more accurately, detect fraudulent activity and personalise customer journeys by analysing behavioural patterns. These advancements enable financial institutions to deliver faster, more relevant services while maintaining robust risk controls.
Where do you see the greatest opportunities for Qatari banks to expand trade finance and cross-border banking services throughout the region?
ABRAHAM: Qatar’s strategic geographical position – combined with its infrastructure in airports, free zones and ports – places it in a strong position to serve as a regional trade and investment centre. With GCC oil revenue increasingly reinvested domestically, there is growing demand for cross-border banking services within the region. The expansion of logistics networks and Qatar’s connections across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas provide a conducive environment for banks to support trade flows. Banks in Qatar are well positioned to offer enhanced trade finance solutions, including supply chain finance, structured trade lending and cross-border transaction services.
To what extent has Qatar’s new open banking framework impacted traditional banking models and the role of fintech partnerships?
ABRAHAM: Qatar’s open banking framework is a catalyst for transforming traditional banking models. By enabling secure sharing of financial data via advanced programming interfaces, open banking empowers consumers to seamlessly manage their finances, access competitive products and benefit from personalised financial insights. This development encourages banks to rethink their service models, moving away from a siloed approach to one that embraces collaboration with fintechs. Open banking facilitates partnerships where banks can leverage fintech innovations to enhance customer experience, increase operational efficiency and provide tailored financial solutions. The model supports broader financial inclusion goals and positions Qatar as a regional financial innovation leader.
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