Kuwaiti banks deposits rise by 2.775 billion dinars in first four months of 2026
Data released by the Central Bank of Kuwait showed that deposits in Kuwaiti banks increased by 4.7 percent during the first four months of 2026, rising by 2.775 billion dinars to reach 61.932 billion dinars, compared to 59.157 billion dinars recorded at the end of December 2025.
The figures also revealed that deposits grew by 1.1 percent on a monthly basis in April, compared to 61.932 billion dinars in March, while recording an annual increase of 10.1 percent against 56.234 billion dinars registered in April 2025.
The rise in deposits was largely driven by higher government deposits, which surged by 25.9 percent, or 1.083 billion dinars, to reach 5.26 billion dinars compared to 4.18 billion dinars at the end of December. Government deposits also recorded a monthly increase of 11.24 percent, equivalent to 532 million dinars.
Deposits by public institutions also posted strong growth since the beginning of the year, rising by 10.64 percent, or 1.043 billion dinars, to reach 10.85 billion dinars compared to 9.809 billion dinars at the end of December. However, on a monthly basis, these deposits declined by 0.9 percent, or 100.4 million dinars.
Private sector deposits increased by 1.4 percent during the first four months of 2026, rising by 646.8 million dinars to reach 45.814 billion dinars, compared to 45.167 billion dinars at the end of December. On a monthly basis, private sector deposits also edged up by 0.5 percent, or 240.8 million dinars, from 45.57 billion dinars.
Meanwhile, credit facilities expanded by approximately 1.314 billion dinars during the same period, reflecting a growth rate of 2 percent and bringing the total balance for residents and non-residents to 65.056 billion dinars, compared to 63.742 billion dinars. Loans also rose by 11.6 percent year-on-year to 65.76 billion dinars, compared to 58.28 billion dinars in April 2025, while monthly growth remained marginal at 0.02 percent, equivalent to 12 million dinars, a local Arabic daily reports.
Sector-wise data showed consumer loans declined by 1.5 percent, or 31.7 million dinars, to 2.045 billion dinars compared to 2.077 billion dinars in December. In contrast, housing loans increased by 1.15 percent, or 198.7 million dinars, reaching 17.475 billion dinars. Loans for private and model housing fell by 7.3 percent, or 14.6 million dinars, to 183.6 million dinars. As a result, the total balance of personal facilities stood at 20.145 billion dinars at the end of April, up by 117.7 million dinars from 20.02 billion dinars.
Loans directed toward the purchase of securities totaled 4.814 billion dinars, marking an annual increase of 18.1 percent compared to 4.076 billion dinars. Financing extended to the oil and gas sector rose by 7.8 percent, or 216 million dinars, during the first four months of the year to reach 2.98 billion dinars, compared to 2.76 billion dinars.
Real estate loans increased by 2.8 percent, or 306.4 million dinars, to 11.213 billion dinars, while construction loans climbed by 6 percent, or 173.2 million dinars, to 3.058 billion dinars from 2.885 billion dinars. Industrial loans also advanced by 7.7 percent, or 217.5 million dinars, to 3.044 billion dinars, while loans granted to banks declined slightly by 0.3 percent, or 15.4 million dinars, to 5.4 billion dinars.
The data further showed that total assets of local banks increased by 3 percent since the beginning of 2026, equivalent to 3.247 billion dinars, rising from 101.944 billion dinars in December to 105.19 billion dinars in April, compared to 104.469 billion dinars in March.
On an annual basis, bank assets recorded a growth of 13.9 percent, or approximately 12.87 billion dinars, compared to 92.315 billion dinars in April 2025. Shareholders’ equity also increased by 3.35 percent, or 583.3 million dinars, reaching 17.972 billion dinars from 17.389 billion dinars, while annual growth stood at 11.5 percent, or about 1.862 billion dinars, compared to 16.11 billion dinars.
