IBM and Mannai InfoTech deliver QNB digital banking upgrade

IBM’s consulting and tech teams have delivered new architecture for Qatar National Bank’s digital banking platform, which the bank says has resulted in productivity gains and a seamless user experience.

Qatar’s largest bank QNB has launched an updated digital banking experience for its customers, with the new platform delivered in partnership with IBM – including IBM Consulting – and ecosystem partner Mannai InfoTech.

QBN says the implementation of the innovative omnichannel solution has improved productivity through streamlined operations and increased efficiency, which ultimately benefits end-user experience.

“Major financial institutions need to adopt an unparalleled mindset to expand their digital footprint in alignment with the challenges and changes in the marketplace. At QNB, we engage with our trusted partners such as IBM to leverage innovation and build smarter industry solutions," said Maryam Mohd Al-Kuwari, the national bank’s senior executive vice president of group information technology.

According to the bank, every layer of the technology stack was redesigned and modernised to support its vision of a seamless, sophisticated and pioneering digital banking experience for its customers, with IBM Consulting’s business transformation expertise, IBM Garage methodology, and the company’s innovative technology solutions all lauded by QNB for playing a key role in the successful outcome.

Taking a hybrid cloud approach to the project, IBM implemented a microservices architecture which was deployed on Red Hat OpenShift, a single, unified platform which connects applications and data across any cloud. QNB stated that the new architecture’s integration has resulted in “unprecedented” simplicity in version maintenance, dynamic scaling, service governance, and service discovery.

“We are delighted to be able to support QNB to update and streamline its operations and increase efficiencies,” said Wissam Shmait, IBM country manager and tech leader for Qatar, where the firm has had a base for over a decade. “This project is a significant milestone in our long-standing relationship with QNB, as we assist the group in its journey to implement its cloud roadmap from the get-go.”

IBM Consulting has also recently been working in the Gulf with the UAE’s largest bank – First Abu Dhabi Bank – selected last year as consulting partner for digital transformation as part of a long-term road-map aimed at positioning the institution at the forefront of digital banking, while in 2020 IBM was tapped for a digital payments security project with Qatar Islamic International Bank (QIIB).