There are commentators within the country who claim that the Saudi Arabian economy and its banking environment may well be the best in the world, with strong profits, a high level of capital investment and robust demographics. But there are concerns that small and medium enterprises do not have enough access to lending, providing a new focus for bank efforts.
Middle East
Latest articles from Saudi Arabia
Banks start to close the gender divide in Saudi Arabia
May 1, 2014The naming of the first woman CEO at a Saudi investment bank is one of several signs that the country's banking sector is redressing its gender imbalance.
The Saudi Arabian juggernaut powers on and on
May 1, 2014Despite a drop in oil revenues, Saudi Arabia’s economy remains the envy of most countries in the world, boosted by government spending and the vibrant non-oil private sector. Not satisfied with this, the government is instigating major social reforms in the labour market and in education.
Where does asset management fit in the Islamic finance picture?
November 1, 2013The growth that has characterised the rise of the Islamic finance industry has thus far evaded the asset management segment of the market, with a dearth of institutions focused on the creation of sharia-compliant investment products. John A Sandwick of Islamic Wealth & Asset Management assesses the situation.
Islamic project financing: a health check
November 1, 2013Three senior figures from the Islamic finance industry discuss how sharia-compliant project finance has fared in 2013 after a stellar decade, and look at its prospects – with a particular focus on sukuk – for 2014 and beyond.
The Islamic liquidity management quest
November 1, 2013While IILM's debut issuance of a $490m sukuk in August was a significant milestone for Islamic finance, it will barely dent the industry’s short-term liquidity management issues, which are hampering growth.
Top 100 Arab banks ranking, 2013: Clean bill of health
October 1, 2013The Arab world has captured the wrong kind of attention in recent years as the Arab Spring uprisings and their aftermath have dominated global headlines. However, The Banker's Top 100 Arab Banks rankings show a banking industry that is well capitalised and well run.
Middle East banks continue to take small steps forward
July 1, 2013Slow but steady growth seems to be the order of the day for banks in the Middle East, with most countries in the region having something to cheer.
Saudi Arabia digs deep with infrastructure spending
May 1, 2013Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has been putting its vast oil wealth to work, upgrading its limited infrastructure in a bid to cater to the rising demand for office space, housing, schools and healthcare.
Saudi Arabia puts its capital to work
May 1, 2013One of the few countries to remain largely unaffected by the global financial downturn, Saudi Arabia's economy is growing at a pace and, despite its expansionary fiscal policy, it continues to post a budgetary surplus. It has now started to put this capital to work in tackling pressing social issues, such as its high unemployment rate and housing shortage.