Total bank credit in the Kingdom reached SAR 3.2 tn in 2Q 2025, rising 15.7% y-o-y, according to the Saudi Central Bank’s (Sama) latest monthly statistical bulletin (pdf). This growth was evident across all credit terms, with long-term credit— the largest component— expanding by just less than 20% y-o-y to around SAR 1.6 tn. Meanwhile, short-term credit increased 10.7% y-o-y to just above SAR 1.1 tn, and medium-term credit saw a 16.7% rise, reaching SAR 490.4 bn.

Economic activity breakdown of bank credit: Wholesale and retail trade led the way in the second quarter, hitting SAR 213.1 bn. This was followed by electricity, gas, and water supplies at SAR 199.3 bn, and manufacturing, which came at SAR 192.2 bn. Other key sectors included construction with SAR 142.1 bn, transportation and storage at SAR 69.5 bn, accommodation and food services activities at SAR 54.3 bn, mining and quarrying with SAR 48.6 bn, information and communications at SAR 28.5 bn, while agriculture, forestry, and fishing came in at around SAR 11.4 bn.

Consumer loans — excluding real estate financing, finance leasing, and margin lending — hit SAR 469.8 bn during the quarter. The largest share came from vehicles and private transportation, with around SAR 12.5 bn. Furniture and durable goods reached nearly SAR 8.9 bn, renovation and home improvement came at SAR 8.3 bn, while education reached just above SAR 8 bn. Meanwhile, total credit card loans came in at SAR 30.6 bn.

Bank claims on the private sector increased 13.8% y-o-y, reaching around SAR 3.06 tn during the 2Q this year. Credit claims — including loans, advances, overdrafts, and bills discounted — reached just above SAR 2.9 tn, while investments in private securities hit SAR 98 bn during the period.

MEANWHILE- Bank claims on the public sector expanded 20.7% y-o-y to reach SAR

863.2 bn. Government and quasi-government bonds reached SAR 636.3 bn, while bank credit to the public sector enterprises hit SAR 226.8 bn by the end of the second quarter.

ALSO- Expatriate remittances grew 15% y-o-y to SAR 13.8 bn in June 2025, Argaam reported yesterday, citing central bank data. On a m-o-m basis, remittances fell 9%. Remittances by Saudis rose 22% y-o-y to SAR 6.3 bn over the same month.

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