CBB reports 10pc increase in money supply

According to a recent official data released by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), there has been an increase of 10 per cent in money supply, which reached BD13,631.3 million at the end of October 2019, compared to BD 12,389.2 million the same period last year.

In addition, the total outstanding balance of public debt instruments which includes Development Bonds, Treasury Bills, Islamic Leasing Securities and Al Salam Islamic Securities stood at BD 12,045.4 million at the end of October 2019, an increase of 2.6 per cent compared to its level of BD 11,739 million in October 2018. 

The data also indicated an increase in the total balance sheet of the banking system from USD 191.6 billion at the end of October 2018 to USD 203.7 billion at the end of October 2019, an increase of USD 12.1 billion, or 6.3pc in the 12-month period. The total value of outstanding loans and credit facilities provided by retail banks amounted to BD 9,794.9 million at end of October 2019 compared to BD 9,376.8 million at the end of October 2018, an increase of 4.5pc.

This amount includes loans and facilities provided to the business sector amounting to BD 5,194.2 million at the end of October 2019 compared to BD 5,022.8 million at the end of the same period last year, an increase of 3.4pc. The data shows that credit card and debit card transactions across Point of Sales terminals amounted to BD 206.8 million in October 2019 compared to BD 186.2 million in October 2018; marking an increase of BD20.6 million or 11.1pc.