VOL. XLIV

No 31

30-July-2001

SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Banks Report Healthy1H Profits

Following on from announcements made by the kingdomslarger banks Saudi American Bank reported a 13% rise in net profits for 1H2000, while National Commercial Bank reported a 38.2% rise in operating profit(MEES, 16 July) - other Saudi bankshave reported similarly healthy performances for the first six months of 2001,with only Al-Rajhi Banking and Investment Corporation (al-Rajhi) recording adownturn in profits.

- Riyad...