SAMA closely monitors bank liquidity indicators, FX rates: Al-Kholifey

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) is closely monitoring liquidity indicators, capital adequacy ratios and FX rates at local banks, Governor, Ahmed Al-Kholifey told Al-Arabiya TV.

He added that that there is currently no issue with liquidity and all indicators are “highly satisfactory”.

Al-Kholifey further explained that Saudi Arabia’s central bank is monitoring economic, financial and monetary indicators locally and overseas, noting that it is focusing on commodity price movements, providing liquidity and money supply, which exceeded 6% by the end of January 2020.

Lending to the private sector is also monitored by SAMA, including loans granted to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which accounted for over 6% of total lending, he stressed.

In terms of type, loans are also closely monitored by the central bank, particularly non-performing loans (NPLs), which stood at almost 2% of total credit volume.

Keeping an eye on global indicators and the Federal Reserve’s decisions, in light of the Saudi riyal dollar peg, Al-Kholifey said that changing policy rates is based on the Kingdom’s economic situation and available liquidity.

On the other hand, Al-Kholifey added that SAMA’s coronavirus financing scheme, which was launched on March 14 to support the private sector, aims mainly to ensure the sustainability of SMEs business.

The authority’s concessional loans and deferred payments program are available for all SMEs, but the coverage of point-of-sale (POS) fees is provided to the private sector only.

In addition, the second phase of the private sector financing scheme depends on radical changes in those indicators. Accordingly, SAMA announced these incentives to maintain the sound performance of the sector.

Saudi Arabia's central bank will intervene if liquidity is tight or credit is affected. SAMA is cooperating with banks to support the hotels, transport and retail segments which were highly affected in Makkah and Madinah, Al-Kholifey concluded.