S&P Sees ‘Start of a New Era’ for Gulf Banks as Oil Wealth Ebbs - Bloomberg

S&P Sees ‘Start of a New Era’ for Gulf Banks as Oil Wealth Ebbs - Bloomberg:

Gulf banks are entering an age of weaker profits as a result of the coronavirus outbreak and a decline in crude prices, according to S&P Global Ratings.

“The pandemic and drop in oil prices could mark the start of a new era,” S&P analysts led by Mohamed Damak in Dubai said in a report. “This new era is characterized by a decline in oil wealth, a lower multiplier effect in the local economies, and lower profitability.”

With a sluggish economic recovery likely to hold back lending in the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council, a period of reduced profitability could be “longer lasting,” according to S&P. The rating company also predicts that regional banks’ asset quality may deteriorate at a faster rate.

“Rated banks in the GCC face an uphill struggle in the next 18 months due to the protracted nature of the economic recovery and the expected gradual withdrawal of regulatory forbearance measures,” S&P’s analysts said.