RIYADH: Banks operating in Saudi Arabia are expected to sustain strong lending growth in 2026, driven by sustained financing demand tied to Vision 2030 projects, according to S&P Global.
In its latest report, the credit rating agency said the Kingdom’s banks are expected to extend $65 billion to $75 billion in new corporate loans in 2026, compared with $70 billion in the year to Nov. 30.
This steady momentum in corporate lending will be fueled by high investments, primarily in the Kingdom’s real estate and utilities sectors.
Earlier this month, another report by Fitch Ratings also underscored the healthy state of Saudi Arabia’s banking system, stating that credit growth and high net interest margins are supporting the profitability of banks in the Kingdom.
Fitch added that capital adequacy edged up to 20 percent, while non-performing loans fell to an all-time low of 1.1 percent in the first three quarters of 2025.
