The total assets of 420 banks in the Arab world grew 3.57 percent to $2.26 trillion in 2009 in spite of the unprecedented global financial turbulence.
The total assets of the top 100 Arab banks have surpassed $1.5 trillion; deposits reached $1 trillion; total loans amounted to $831 billion; shareholder equities reached $164 billion; and net profits reached $24 billion.
The Arab banking sector currently comprises 280 commercial banks, 60 Islamic banks and 80 investment and specialized banks.
Source: Khaleej Times, UAE, March 10, 2010
