Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) reported that its total assets exceeded SAR 2 trillion in May 2025, marking the highest level in nearly three years since July 2022.
SAMA assets in May 2025 boosted by reserves and banking activity
According to SAMA’s latest statistical bulletin released on June 29, 2025, total assets rose by SAR 81.1 billion compared to April 2025, when they stood at SAR 1.919 trillion. Year-on-year, total assets also increased, despite a slight decline in some categories.
Foreign bank deposits, part of SAMA’s overall reserves, declined by 1.5% year-on-year to SAR 436.9 billion. However, Saudi Arabia’s reserve assets grew by 4% month-on-month, reaching SAR 1.72 trillion in May 2025, supported by higher foreign currency holdings and deposits abroad. Every year, reserve assets fell 2%.
SAMA’s investments in foreign securities, which account for 48% of total assets, decreased by 5%, totaling approximately SAR 969.5 billion in May.
The Saudi banking sector shows continued credit growth
The bulletin showed strong growth in Saudi bank claims on both the private and public sectors. Bank claims on the private sector rose 1.2% month-on-month to nearly SAR 3 trillion, reflecting a 15% year-on-year increase.
Meanwhile, bank claims on public and semi-governmental entities reached SAR 846.5 billion by May 2025, the highest on record. This figure reflects a SAR 11.3 billion, or 1.3%, rise compared to April.
Saudi banks also expanded their holdings of government bonds and sukuk, which grew to SAR 622.9 billion by the end of May, an increase of SAR 5.87 billion compared to April. Additionally, bank credit to public institutions rose to SAR 223.6 billion, marking an increase of SAR 5.39 billion month-on-month.
Expat remittances and broader financial trends
Expatriate remittances reached SAR 15.199 billion in May 2025, reflecting a 20.7% increase compared to May 2024. Month-on-month, remittances grew by 20.5%, following April’s SAR 12.614 billion total.
Despite global uncertainties, the combination of reserve asset growth, rising bank claims, and robust remittance inflows highlights sustained momentum in Saudi Arabia’s financial sector.
The Saudi Standard’s View: Liquidity Strengthens Despite Global Headwinds
The latest rise in SAMA assets to over SAR 2 trillion reinforces the Kingdom’s monetary stability, even as global markets face persistent volatility. Strong reserve levels, supported by foreign currency growth and rising deposits abroad, reflect prudent central bank management amid shifting economic conditions.
However, the decline in foreign securities holdings suggests a more cautious investment stance, likely in response to evolving global interest rate dynamics and capital market risks. The strategy prioritizes liquidity and defensive positioning, which aligns with broader fiscal prudence.
Meanwhile, record growth in bank claims on both private and public sectors signals robust domestic credit expansion. It reflects confidence in Saudi Arabia’s economic outlook and the private sector’s role in advancing Vision 2030 targets.
Surging expatriate remittances further indicate a resilient labor market and continued capital inflows from the Kingdom’s foreign workforce. Together, these trends demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s ability to balance reserve management with financial sector growth, reinforcing its position as one of the region’s most stable monetary environments.
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