The overall outlook for the GCC’s banking sector is positive and Bahrain is fairing particular well, said a listed banks report from global professional services company KPMG.

The report, which covers over 90 per cent of the region’s listed banking assets, indicates that banks have performed well over the last 12 months considering margin compressions, increased impairment charges and increased funding costs.

Whilst overall, net profit has declined year-on-year for the first time in recent years, asset growth has remained robust at 6.5 per cent on average across the region.

Jalil Al Aali, partner and Head of Financial Services at KPMG in Bahrain said: “The challenging economic conditions in the region have led to widespread drop in profits in the past 12 months. In Bahrain, the annual growth in the financial services sector has been strong, from 1.7 per cent in 2015 to 7.4 per cent as of the third quarter in 2016. However, due to a sharp decline in lending to certain sectors, credit growth in Bahrain experienced renewed slowdown with peaks recorded around the beginning of 2016.  Such challenges are making banks seek innovative ways to stay ahead.”

“Technology advancement, high internet and smartphones penetration rates all mean that digital banking is the future.  This puts emphasis on innovative customized products and pricing to improve the banking capabilities and meet the expectations of today’s tech-savy customers,” Al Aali added.

Changing global regulatory requirements have clearly had an impact on the sector in the GCC with a number of positive changes being made to bring banks in line with new requirements. Capital adequacy ratios now stand at over 18 per cent across the region – above the minimum limits set in Basel III, reflecting effective capital raising activity.

Similarly, Basel III requirements are the likely reason for a rise in liquidity ratios across most countries, demonstrating a commitment to adhere to broader global regulations. – TradeArabia News Service