DOHA, Qatar--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 1, 2025--
QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, announced the license approval has been received for a digital-first banking entity, ezbank, from the Saudi Central Bank ”SAMA”, in cooperation with Ajlan & Bros. Holding, with a capital of SAR 2.5 billion.
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This milestone, in cooperation with Ajlan & Bros. Holding, reflects a commitment to supporting QNB Group’s vision for financial inclusion and digital transformation, as well as the broader economic development strategy. With ezbank, the goal is to introduce a new model of customer-centric banking built around innovation, efficiency, and accessibility.
The license approval for ezbank is an important step in QNB Group’s ongoing efforts to transform the banking sector in the markets in which it operates, across over 28 countries in 3 continents. The entity aims to offer a digital-first banking experience that is simple, inclusive, and secure, and to provide innovative solutions for the youth and entrepreneurs.
The bank will use mobile-first platforms, AI-driven tools, and smart risk management to make transactions easier, increase access, and support digital economy.
*Source: AETOSWire
QNB Group Corporate Headquarters (Photo: AETOSWire)
MIAMI (AP) — Anfernee Simons scored 18 of his season-high 39 points in the fourth quarter, Jaylen Brown added 27 and the Boston Celtics trailed most of the way before rallying to beat the Miami Heat 119-114 on Thursday night.
Sam Hauser added 17 points for the Celtics, who outscored Miami 36-21 in the fourth quarter and won after facing as much as a 19-point deficit. It was their second-biggest comeback win of the season, after coming from 20 down to beat Indiana on Dec. 22.
Simons had the second highest-scoring game for a reserve this season — Utah's Brice Sensabaugh had 43 on Wednesday night in a loss to Chicago — and became the fourth Celtics player in the last 50 years to score at least 39 off the bench. The others: Larry Bird, Todd Day and Payton Pritchard.
Norman Powell scored 26 points for Miami, which got 22 points apiece from Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Andrew Wiggins added 16 for the Heat.
Simons had 11 consecutive Boston points in the fourth quarter to chip away at what was left of the Miami edge, and then Hauser got an open 3-pointer with 5:21 left to give the Celtics their first lead since the opening minute of the game.
The lead changed hands twice more, before Brown's 3-pointer with 4:05 remaining put Boston on top for good.
Miami started the game on a 28-9 run, putting the Celtics in a most unusual early position.
That 19-point margin — only about seven minutes into the game — matched the biggest first-quarter deficit the Celtics faced in a 304-game span since trailing Indiana by 20 early on in a game on Dec. 21, 2022. Boston also trailed Milwaukee by 19 in the first quarter on April 9, 2024.
The Heat played without starting point guard Davion Mitchell (left shoulder contusion) and sixth man Jaime Jaquez Jr. (left knee soreness).
Celtics: At Atlanta on Saturday night.
Heat: Host Oklahoma City on Saturday night.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons, center, is defended by Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons (4) comes under pressure from Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons (4) goes for the basket defended by Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware, obscured, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (24) reacts after making a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra watches from courtside during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
