Interbank clearing and settlements rise 32.5% to 300 billion dinars in 11 months

Local banks recorded strong growth in interbank clearing and settlement operations during the first 11 months of 2025, rising by 32.5 percent, or 7.35 billion dinars, to reach 300 billion dinars, compared with 226.9 billion dinars in the same period last year.

According to data released by the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK), clearing and settlement transactions declined on a monthly basis in November, falling by 13.3 percent, or 4.42 billion dinars, to 28.83 billion dinars, compared with 33.25 billion dinars in October.

However, on an annual basis, the value of transactions rose by 23.1 percent, equivalent to 5.42 billion dinars, compared with 23.4 billion dinars in November 2024, reports Al-Rai daily.

Interbank Loans and Deposits

The value of loans extended by banks to other banks jumped by 69.8 percent year-on-year in November, increasing by 542.7 million dinars to reach 1.32 billion dinars, compared with 828.6 million dinars in the same month last year.

On a monthly basis, however, interbank loans declined by 15.2 percent, or 237.9 million dinars, from 1.56 billion dinars in October.

Interbank mutual deposits also recorded growth, rising by 16.5 percent annually, or 300.2 million dinars, to 2.12 billion dinars in November, compared with 2.11 billion dinars a year earlier. On a monthly basis, deposits increased by 15.6 percent, or 286.3 million dinars, from 1.83 billion dinars in October.

Check Clearing Activity

Clearing and settlement operations conducted through bank checks between local banks — including the Central Bank of Kuwait and Kuwait Credit Bank — rose by 5.4 percent during the first 11 months of the year, an increase of 865.4 million dinars, reaching 16.69 billion dinars.

These transactions were carried out through 2.12 million checks, with an average transaction value of 7.19 thousand dinars, compared with 15.82 billion dinars processed through 2.25 million checks, at an average of 7.11 thousand dinars, during the same period last year.

In November alone, the value of interbank checks declined by 10.8 percent month-on-month, or 171.9 million dinars, to 1.41 billion dinars, compared with 1.58 billion dinars in October. On an annual basis, the value edged down by 0.7 percent, or 10.1 million dinars, from 1.42 billion dinars in November 2024.

The number of settled check transactions fell by 3.9 percent month-on-month to 190.6 thousand, compared with 198.4 thousand in October. However, on an annual basis, transactions increased by 3.2 percent, compared with 184.6 thousand in November last year.

The average value per check declined by 7.1 percent to 7.4 thousand dinars from 7.99 thousand dinars in October, and was down 3.8 percent year-on-year compared with 7.7 thousand dinars in November 2024.