Saudi lenders gear up for corporate growth
13 March 2024
MEED's April 2024 special report on Saudi Arabia includes:
> GVT & ECONOMY: Saudi Arabia seeks diversification amid regional tensions
> UPSTREAM: Aramco spending drawdown to jolt oil projects
> DOWNSTREAM: Master Gas System spending stimulates Saudi downstream sector
> POWER: Riyadh to sustain power spending
> WATER: Growth inevitable for the Saudi water sector
> CONSTRUCTION: Saudi gigaprojects propel construction sector
> TRANSPORT: Saudi Arabia’s transport sector offers prospects
As Saudi Arabia’s once rapacious mortgage market slows down, lenders in the kingdom are building up their corporate loan books.
Banks’ exposure to the retail market is steadily reducing as the growth of the mortgage market – the big driver of credit growth in recent years – abates. Saudi lenders reported mortgage lending growth of 8% in the first nine months of 2023, compared to 19% in September 2022.
And where once the split between new business booked by Saudi banks was weighted 60:40 on retail and corporate, the split in 2023 was 50:50.
“We have noticed a decrease in Casa (current account and savings accounts). It used to be almost 70% a couple of years ago, but now it is close to 50%, and it means that the cost of funding is growing too,” says Anton Lopatin, senior director, financial institutions at Fitch Ratings.
Changing landscape
One component of this is the moderation of mortgage financing on the back of tightening subsidies and higher interest rates. “In general, the affordability of mortgage financing is less now and we see banks switching their focus to corporate lending. There’s a bit of reshuffling going on and we think that about 60% of the financing growth in 2024 will be from the corporate sector,” says Lopatin.
While Saudi Arabia's Vison 2030 projects have yet make little impact on local banks’ loan books, the expectation is that this will change, and that major economic diversification initiatives will yield good business for Saudi banks.
In the meantime, these lenders must deal with some near-term challenges in 2024, notably higher liquidity – a contrast to the situation in 2022, when financing growth of 14% outpaced deposit growth at 9%, and higher interest rates intensified competition for funding, according to Fitch Ratings. Data from the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (Sama) shows that the kingdom’s money supply surged 10% in January 2024 to reach SR2.72tn ($726bn).
That growth was primarily driven by a significant rise in banks’ term and savings accounts, which recorded a rise of 31% to reach SR864.32bn ($230.4bn). These deposits have attracted savings looking for higher yields.
Government reallocation
Another trend has been that government-related entities (GREs) have made moves to increase deposits in the banking system. According to Fitch, liquidity has been supported by increased deposit inflows from GREs, which grew by SAR147bn ($39.2) or 23% in the 12 months to the end of October 2023. Another ratings agency, S&P, noted that the contribution of government and GRE deposits increased to 30% of the total by 2023 from almost 20% in 2020.
According to Fitch, these inflows are mainly term deposits, which are an expensive source of funding for banks. This increase, plus higher competition for funding, has significantly raised the average cost of funding for Saudi banks; it rose to 2.7% in the first nine months of 2023, compared to just 0.4% in 2021.
“There’s been a change in how the Saudi authorities are managing GRE liquidity,” says Lopatin, who notes that GREs are now choosing to invest their surplus liquidity in higher income-generating deposits with commercial banks, rather than with Sama.
“Since July last year, we’ve seen a significant increase in government-related deposits in the banking sector. And we understand they have adjusted this approach, and now the government entities directly deposit with banks, instead of using the central bank as an additional chain into distribution of liquidity. That is also more efficient.”
Challenging conditions
Banking conditions in Saudi Arabia are looking more challenging in 2024 than in previous years. As Fitch notes, Saudi banks on average saw financing growth slightly above 10% for 2023, and the expectation is that growth will also be about 10% in 2024 – below the expansion of 14% seen in 2022.
Some banks that used to have stronger net margins have reported declines because of the focus on mortgage financing –which is under fixed rates in the kingdom – in conjunction with an increased cost of funding on the back of a declining proportion of Casa accounts. For example, Al Rajhi Banking & Investment Corporation reported that funding costs increased by 74% in year-on-year terms in 2023.
“Al Rajhi’s margins were under pressure last year but are now roughly in line with the sector average of 3.2%,” says Lopatin.
In general, UAE banks reported stronger margins than Saudi banks in 2023, says Lopatin. This is because, in combination with tightening liquidity, Saudi lenders have less ability to manage their margins.
Corporate lending in the kingdom will likely receive a boost from Vision 2030 projects.
“We expect more Vision 2030-related financing to appear on banks’ books this year. It’s still not very material, but most banks want to participate as they see these projects as having a decent balance between risk and reward,” says Lopatin.
Rating agency S&P has said that Saudi banks will need stronger access to international capital to sustain growth and continue financing projects related to Vision 2030. For now, the dependence of Saudi banks on external funding is limited.
Over the long-term, if Saudi banks do build more external debt, that could pose another challenge. International investors now have sustainability at the centre of their investment mandates, and local lenders will also need to look more seriously at their own sustainability metrics.
For example, last year, a panel of UN-appointed human rights specialists was reported to have sent letters to Saudi Aramco and financiers including Citi, Goldman Sachs and BNP Paribas, noting that their financing of the state energy company may be in violation of global human rights rules due to the company’s contribution to climate change. The letter urged the banks to take reasonable steps to prevent or mitigate the impact.
If Saudi banks do become major lenders to Vision 2030 schemes, and therefore need to source funds from outside the kingdom, they too will have to acclimatise to the new global reality – even if that is not a pressing requirement right now.
Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.
Exclusive from Meed
-
SPPC moves Dawadmi wind bid deadline22 May 2025
-
Local firm bids low for Kuwait grid contract22 May 2025
-
GE Vernova confirms $14.2bn Saudi initiatives22 May 2025
-
-
All of this is only 1% of what MEED.com has to offer
Subscribe now and unlock all the 153,671 articles on MEED.com
- All the latest news, data, and market intelligence across MENA at your fingerprints
- First-hand updates and inside information on projects, clients and competitors that matter to you
- 20 years' archive of information, data, and news for you to access at your convenience
- Strategize to succeed and minimise risks with timely analysis of current and future market trends
Related Articles
-
SPPC moves Dawadmi wind bid deadline
22 May 2025
Saudi Arabia’s principal buyer, Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC), has extended the bid deadline for the contract to develop a wind independent power project (IPP) under the sixth round of Saudi Arabia’s National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP).
MEED reported in March that the prequalified developers had formed consortiums and were preparing their proposals for the contract, the fifth wind IPP to be tendered under the NREP.
SPPC initially expected to receive bids by 15 May, but the deadline has since been extended to 23 June, according to industry sources.
The new deadline is likely to be extended again, however, one of the sources told MEED.
The consortiums that have been formed and will likely bid for the contract include teams led separately by UAE-based Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and French firms Engie and EDF Renewables, sources said.
MEED understands that Beijing-based PowerChina and one of its subsidiaries are part of separate bidding consortiums.
Located in Riyadh, the Dawadmi wind IPP will have a capacity of 1,500MW. It is the only wind scheme and the fifth package under round six of the the NREP.
Four solar photovoltaic (PV) schemes, with a total combined capacity of 3,000MW, comprise the rest of the round six projects.
In addition to the firms cited above, SPPC prequalified the following companies to bid as managing and technical members of consortiums bidding for the contract:
- Marubeni Corporation (Japan)
- Sembcorp Utilities (Singapore)
- Sumitomo Corporation (Japan)
- Total Energies Renewables (France)
- Goldwind Science & Technology (China)
- Alfanar Company
- SPIC Huanghe Hydropower Development
The following eight companies were prequalified to bid as managing members:
- Al-Jomaih Energy & Water (local)
- Jinko Power (Hong Kong)
- Saudi Electricity Company (local)
- China Power Engineering Consulting Group International Engineering Company (China)
- Posco International Corporation (South Korea)
- Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco, South Korea)
- Nareva Holding (Morocco)
- Jera (Japan)
Another firm, the local Nesma Renewable Company, has been prequalified as a technical member.
In addition to the Dawadmi wind IPP, the following schemes comprise round six of the NREP:
- 1,400MW Najran solar PV IPP (Najran)
- 600MW Samtah solar PV IPP (Jizan)
- 600MW Al-Darb solar PV IPP (Jizan)
- 400MW Al-Sufun solar PV IPP (Hail)
These schemes take the total capacity of solar and wind projects publicly tendered by SPPC to almost 15,000MW.
SPPC is responsible for the pre-development, tendering and subsequent offtaking of the energy from the projects.
US/India-based Synergy Consulting is providing financial advisory services to SPPC for the NREP sixth-round tender. Germany’s Fichtner Consulting and US-headquartered CMS are providing technical and legal consultancy services, respectively.
The previous wind farms that SPPC has tendered include the 400MW Dumat Al-Jandal wind IPP, which is operational.
Last year, SPPC signed the power-purchase agreements with Japan’s Marubeni Corporation for the contracts to develop and operate the 600MW Al-Ghat and 500MW Waad Al-Shamal wind IPPs. The projects reached financial close in November.
The third wind IPP, a 750MW scheme in Yanbu, is undergoing review.
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/13931337/main.jpg -
Local firm bids low for Kuwait grid contract
22 May 2025
Local contracting firm Power Grid Company has submitted a low bid of KD48.67m ($158.6m) for a contract to supply and install a 400-kilovolt (kV) overhead transmission line (OHTL) in Kuwait.
The project will link a substation in Shagaya to a substation in Subiya.
The two other bidders for the contract are the Kuwaiti branch of India-headquartered Larsen & Toubro, which offered KD65.9m, and Al-Khobar-based National Contracting Company, which offered KD57.7m.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity & Renewable Energy (MEWRE) tendered the contract in October last year.
The planned OHTL network will link the solar energy transformer station at Shagaya to the Subiya power station, also known as SWPS-2.
Kuwait plans to expand its renewable energy capacity through a multi-phased solar programme in Shagaya.
MEWRE, through the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (Kapp), prequalified six consortiums and companies to bid for the contract to develop the Al-Dibdibah power and Al-Shagaya renewable energy phase three, zone one project in August last year.
The tender for the 1,100MW solar independent power project has yet to be issued.
MEWRE, through Kapp, recently invited interested firms to prequalify for a contract to develop zone two of the renewable energy complex's third phase.
The zone two solar photovoltaic project will have a net capacity of 500MW. Utility developers are expected to submit their statements of qualifications by 24 July.
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/13931091/main0058.jpg -
GE Vernova confirms $14.2bn Saudi initiatives
22 May 2025
US-based energy equipment manufacturer GE Vernova announced initiatives worth up to $14.2bn in Saudi Arabia, which coincided with US President Donald Trump’s state visit to the kingdom last week.
The initiatives aim to “accelerate Saudi Arabia’s energy transition with US technology and expertise”, the firm said.
The announcements include up to $2bn in backlog or on a reservation agreement as of the first quarter of 2025, with future contracts and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) for agreements spanning across the next four years.
Among the collaborations and initiatives is a deal between Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and GE Vernova for the supply of US-made gas turbines, synchronous condensers and balance of plant equipment.
The equipment deal will support grid stability by providing voltage regulation, reactive power and system strength, supplying inertia to maintain reliable operations as more variable renewable energy is integrated into the system. The deal with SEC also includes capital parts, maintenance and repair services.
Saudi Arabia's principal buyer, Saudi Power Procurement Company, and GE Vernova are understood to have entered into several MoUs for the supply of advanced power generation equipment and services for future projects; the commercialisation of carbon capture technologies; and training and investments in power sector research and development activities, manufacturing and repairs.
Saudi utility developer Acwa Power and GE Vernova also signed framework agreements to collaborate on identifying and exploring potential opportunities to supply high-efficiency gas turbines and electrification equipment for future projects in Saudi Arabia.
State-backed Saudi Aramco and GE Vernova also announced collaborations to provide maintenance services, repairs and spare parts to support the operations of several power plants in the kingdom.
Scott Strazik, chief executive of GE Vernova, said that deploying “world-class technology” will help deepen the relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia, advance energy security and strengthen both nations' economic prosperity and competitiveness.
GE Vernova, or GE, is understood to have been operating in Saudi Arabia for 90 years, with a power generation installed capacity of about 50GW in the kingdom running on its gas turbines.
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/13931061/main2152.jpg -
May deadline for King Salman International airport terminals
22 May 2025
King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC), which is backed by Saudi sovereign wealth vehicle the Public Investment Fund, has allowed firms until 28 May to submit proposals for a contract to develop the first phase of Terminal 6 and the Iconic Terminal at King Salman International airport (KSIA) in Riyadh.
The tender notice was issued on 17 April. The previous bid submission deadline was 15 May.
The client plans to deliver the package on an early contractor involvement (ECI) basis.
The ECI process requires selected contractors to submit methodologies for the project and a design proposal.
Earlier in May, MEED reported that US firm Bechtel Corporation had been appointed as the delivery partner for the terminals at KSIA in Riyadh.
Bechtel will manage the delivery of three new terminals, including the terminal for commercial carriers, Terminal 6 for low-cost carriers and a new private aviation terminal with hangars.
This was followed by an announcement by another US-based firm, Parsons Corporation, confirming its appointment as the delivery partner for the airside and landside packages at KSIA.
In February, MEED exclusively reported that KSIADC had received prequalification statements from firms on 28 January for the project.
The client prequalified firms in September 2024 for the main engineering, procurement and construction packages; early and enabling works; specialist systems and integration; materials and equipment; engineering and design; professional services; health, safety, security, environment and wellbeing services; modular installation and prefabrication; environmental, social and governance services; local content; and other services.
The entire scheme is divided into eight assets. These are:
- Iconic Terminal
- Terminal 6
- Private aviation terminal
- Central runway and temporary apron
- Hangars
- Landside transport
- Cargo buildings
- Real estate
In August last year, KSIADC confirmed that it had signed up several architectural and design firms for the various elements of the project.
KSIADC said that UK-based Foster+Partners will design the airport’s masterplan, including the terminals, six runways and a multi-asset real estate area.
US-based engineering firm Jacobs will provide specialist consultancy services for the masterplan and the design of the new runways.
The client also confirmed the appointment of UK-based engineering firm Mace for the delivery partner role on the project.
The airspace design consultancy contract was awarded to local firm Nera.
Project scale
The project covers an area of about 57 square kilometres (sq km), allowing for six parallel runways, and will include the existing terminals at King Khalid International airport. It will also include 12 sq km of airport support facilities, residential and recreational facilities, retail outlets and other logistics real estate.
If the project is completed on time in 2030, it will become the world’s largest operating airport in terms of passenger capacity, according to UK analytics firm GlobalData.
The airport aims to accommodate up to 120 million passengers by 2030 and 185 million by 2050. The goal for cargo is to process 3.5 million tonnes a year by 2050.
Saudi Arabia plans to invest $100bn in its aviation sector. Riyadh’s Saudi Aviation Strategy, announced by the General Authority of Civil Aviation, aims to triple Saudi Arabia’s annual passenger traffic to 330 million travellers by 2030.
It also aims to increase air cargo traffic to 4.5 million tonnes and raise the country’s total air connections to more than 250 destinations.
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/13930956/main.jpg -
Petrofac oil bid in Kuwait is double proposed budget
22 May 2025
The low bid submitted by UK-based engineering company Petrofac for the Kuwaiti oil project focused on the installation of a separation gathering centre (SGC) known as SGC-2 has come in at more than double the project’s proposed budget, according to industry sources.
Petrofac submitted a bid of KD422.45m ($1.37bn) and the provisional budget for the project is KD207m ($670.2m), according to industry sources.
Petrofac’s bid beat that of India-based Larsen & Toubro, which was the only other bidder with a price of KD441.07m.
The project is located in the eastern region of Kuwait referred to as EK-2 and its scope also includes debottlenecking work, in addition to the installation of the main units.
The client on the project is state-owned upstream operator Kuwait Oil Company.
When the project was originally tendered in June 2024, the following companies were prequalified to bid:
- Hyundai Engineering & Construction Company (South Korea)
- Samsung Engineering (South Korea)
- Saipem (Italy)
- Sinopec Luoyang Engineering Company (China)
- Sinopec Engineering Incorporation (China)
- Tecnicas Reunidas (Spain)
- Larsen & Toubro (India)
- Daewoo Engineering & Construction (South Korea)
- Petrofac International (UK)
- GS Engineering & Construction (South Korea)
Petrofac’s problems
Two weeks ago, Petrofac’s shares on the London Stock Exchange were temporarily suspended after the beleaguered engineering and construction contractor failed to publish its 2024 results on time.
This suspension was enacted at the same time that Wood, another engineering and construction company, was also forced to suspend trading in its stock because it was unable to publish its annual report by 30 April.
In March, Petrofac said that it would defer publication of its 2024 results amid its long-running restructuring process.
Earlier this month, Petrofac received formal approval from the High Court of England & Wales to implement its restructuring plan.
The company, which has billions of dollars-worth of projects in the Middle East and North Africa region, has said that the approved plan will unlock $355m in new funding for its operations.
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/13930355/main.gif