MANAMA: Bahrain’s (M3) money supply increased by 10 per cent reaching BD13,531.5 million as of end-August, compared with BD12,304.4m as of end-August last year, shows data from the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB).

The regulator’s monthly statistical bulletin for August indicates an overall improvement in monetary and banking indicators.

Total outstanding balance of public debt instruments which includes development bonds, treasury bills, Islamic leasing securities and Al Salam Islamic securities dropped 2.2pc at the end of that month to BD11,293.4m from BD11,551m in August 2018.

The total balance sheet of the banking system saw an increase of 4.3pc from BD192.3 billion as of end-August 2018 to BD200.6bn as of end-August 2019.

Total value of outstanding loans and credit facilities provided by retail banks amounted to BD9,829.8m as of end-August compared with BD9,196m as of end-August 2018, an increase of 6.9pc.

This amount includes loans and facilities provided to the business sector amounting to BD5,205m as of end-August 2019 compared with BD4,940.1m as of end-August last year, an increase of 5.4pc.

Credit card and debit card transactions across point of sale (POS) terminals amounted to BD198.3m in August 2019 compared with BD182.6m in August 2018; marking a significant increase of 8.6pc.

The balance sheet of retail banks increased by BD2.9bn, or 9.1pc, reaching BD34.8bn as of end-August 2019 compared with BD31.9bn as of end-August 2018.

The data also shows an increase in local non-bank deposits amounting to BD13bn as of end-August 2019 compared with BD11.8bn at the end of August 2018, an increase of 10.2pc.

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