BRIEF: Fitch Says Uae Islamic Banks See Higher Returns, Weaker Asset Quality

Fitch Ratings Ltd:

* FITCH SAYS UAE ISLAMIC BANKS SEE HIGHER RETURNS, WEAKER ASSET QUALITY

* FITCH SAYS EXPECTS FINANCING GROWTH AT ISLAMIC BANKS TO CONTINUE TO OUTPACE CONVENTIONAL BANKS, AS SEEN IN 2017

* FITCH SAYS FUNDING AND LIQUIDITY FOR ISLAMIC BANKS CONTINUED TO IMPROVE

* FITCH SAYS BELIEVES ISLAMIC BANKS' RESERVE LEVELS ARE ADEQUATE AT 5% OF GROSS FINANCING, SLIGHTLY BELOW CONVENTIONAL BANK LEVELS

* FITCH SAYS SLOWING FINANCING GROWTH AND INCREASING PORTFOLIO SEASONING WILL ALSO BE A FACTOR AFFECTING ASSET QUALITY OF ISLAMIC BANKS

* FITCH SAYS VIEWS ISLAMIC BANKS' CAPITALISATION AS MERELY ADEQUATE

Source text for Eikon: ID:nFIT75Mvhl

((Reuters.Briefs@thomsonreuters.com;))