Saudi Bank Loans Reach Highest Growth Rate In 19 Months, Surpassing $761bn

RIYADH: Saudi bank loans reached SR2.85 trillion ($760.84 billion) in September, representing an annual growth rate of 12.16 percent — the highest in 19 months, according to recent data.

Figures from the Saudi Central Bank, also known as SAMA, showed that corporate lending dominated the sector, making up around 53.5 percent, with individual loans comprising the remaining figure.

The former category grew by 15.75 percent, outpacing the 8.3 percent annual growth in personal loans, underscoring the increasing demand for business financing across key sectors.

Real estate activities led corporate lending, accounting for 20.37 percent of all business loans and growing by 28.63 percent to reach SR310.83 billion.

The wholesale and retail trade sector followed, constituting 13.07 percent of these loans, with SR199.45 billion in financing. Lending to manufacturing came third, making up 11.78 percent, totaling SR179.83 billion.

Loans to the electricity, gas, and water supply sectors accounted for 11.25 percent of total lending, amounting to SR171.62 billion. This category experienced a growth rate of 29.35 percent.

While professional, scientific, and technical activities represented a small portion of total corporate loans at just 0.63 percent, they posted the highest annual growth rate of 79.6 percent, amounting to SR9.69 billion.

In September, Saudi banks’ loans-to-deposits ratio slightly declined to 79.66 percent, down from 79.71 percent in the same month of 2023, as per data from the SAMA.

The calculation includes loans minus provisions and commissions, providing a clearer view of actual lending capacity.

SAMA has set a regulatory limit of 90 percent for loans-to-deposits ratios, balancing banks’ lending capacity with liquidity stability while supporting economic growth through corporate and individual borrowing.

Compared to other GCC nations, such as the UAE where loans-to-deposits ratios can exceed 100 percent, SAMA’s cap reflects a more cautious approach, prioritizing liquidity stability in the banking sector.

Corporate real estate lending in Saudi Arabia has surged as banks align with Vision 2030’s targets for urban expansion, economic diversification, and investment attraction. 

This focus on real estate as the largest component of corporate lending is supported by robust demand for infrastructure, from commercial and residential developments to giga-projects like NEOM and the Red Sea.

Riyadh is a key beneficiary, attracting regional and international companies, which has increased the need for high-quality office spaces. 

The office market in the Saudi capital has seen a boost from the Regional Headquarters Program, drawing numerous global companies seeking a central base in the Middle East.

The government’s recent regulatory advancements are also pivotal in driving this lending trend. With improved transparency and a structured land registry, investors and developers now have greater confidence in the market.

The General Authority for Statistics recently reported a 2.6 percent annual rise in the real estate price index in the third quarter of this year, highlighting demand for residential and commercial spaces.

Major cities like Jeddah and Riyadh have seen considerable price increases in both land and building categories, driven by strong demand across residential, office, and mixed-use spaces.

The Real Estate General Authority anticipates that Saudi Arabia’s property market, one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing sectors, will reach a market volume of $69.51 billion in 2024 and $101.62 billion by 2029, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 8 percent.

Catalyzing growth in sectors under Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia’s scientific, professional, and technical services sector is driven by a rapid expansion of research, development, and innovation.

The launch of the Saudi Minds Platform by the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority in October is playing a key role in this shift.

This platform creates an advanced digital environment to support the RDI ecosystem, providing resources to researchers, innovators, and institutions.

By promoting knowledge exchange, international collaboration, and access to funding, the platform fosters a thriving scientific landscape, which, in turn, stimulates demand for financial services, driving lending growth in this sector.

As Saudi Arabia intensifies its efforts toward Vision 2030, investments in innovation and technology are expected to continue to fuel further growth in the RDI-driven economic landscape.