The drop in oil prices and regional unrest have seen Arab banks struggle to maintain their stellar profit results of previous years, but overall their performances remain impressive by global standards.

The merger between National Bank of Abu Dhabi and FGB could well trigger a series of consolidatory moves across the Gulf's banking sector. But will this lead to the emergence of a handful of regional powerhouses? Kit Gillet assesses the situation.

Liquidity in the Saudi Arabian banking sector has tightened, but there is no cause for concern just yet, reports Kit Gillet. However, the central bank is introducing measures to ease the pressure and boost lending.

As the Qatari economy begins to slow on the back of decreasing oil prices, liquidity in the country's banking system is feeling the squeeze. Ratings agencies have responded with downgrades, yet recent results are healthy as banks pursue new sources of growth. 

Qatar is expected to post its first budget deficit in 15 years in 2016, exemplifying the difficulties faced by the oil-dependent economy. But, far from buckling under the pressure, the country is stepping up to the challenge of diversifying its economy and reining in public spending, as Kit Gillet reports.

Low oil prices could have hit Qatar's economy hard, but early action from the government appears to have shielded it from the worst of the impact. The country's central bank governor, Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al-Thani, tells Kit Gillet about how these changes and future plans will protect and strengthen the country's banking sector.