IslamicFinance.de

The loan book of Saudi banks is expected to grow at pace of 12% in 2014. The increased proportion of younger population in Saudi Arabia can result in demand for personal financing to grow robustly. The UAE’s banking sector indicates strong loan growth led by retail and consumer banking and improved profitability. In Oman, lending slowed in 2013, but is expected to improve in 2014 and can even reach 10%. Kuwait bank lending is expected to pick up in 2014 after investment firms cut debt and government implements projects. In Bahrain further consolidation is expected this year after a spree of tie-ups in 2013. Qatar’s banking system remains profitable. The Qatar Central Bank has also come out with guidelines for implementing capital adequacy and liquidity under Basel III in 2014 and Qatari banks will adhere to it.