Saudi banks’ investments in T-bonds rise to SAR 658.2B in February

Saudi banks’ investments in treasury bonds increased by SAR 5.2 billion, or 10%, year-on-year (YoY) to SAR 658.2 billion in February, according to data from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA).

Investments in government bonds accounted for over 72% of banks’ total claims on the government and quasi-government sectors in Saudi Arabia during the same period.

Total bank claims on the public sector reached SAR 910 billion in February, compared with SAR 821.3 billion in the year-earlier period.

These investments include both government long-term debt instruments issued by the Ministry of Finance, as well as internationally issued bonds and sukuk purchased by banks from the secondary market. SAMA T-bills were excluded as per the international standards.