$442.69 billion...the Saudi Central Bank’s net foreign assets increased by 3.7% at the end of September

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The net foreign assets of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) increased by the end of last September by 3.73% on an annual basis, recording about $442.69 billion (1.660 trillion riyals), compared to $426.77 billion (1.600 trillion riyals) in the same month of the year 2025 AD, according to the monthly survey issued by SAMA.

On a monthly basis, the net foreign assets of the Central Bank decreased by 4.6% from its value last August, which amounted to $464.14 billion (1.740 trillion riyals) at the end.

The net foreign assets of the Saudi Central Bank continued to decline during the month of September for the third month in a row, recording the lowest level since December 2025, when it reached $436.59 billion (1.637 trillion riyals).

The size of the monetary base increased by about 3.7% at the end of last September on an annual basis, reaching $117.6 billion (440.99 billion riyals), compared to $113.36 billion (425.11 billion riyals) in the same month of 2025.

While the monetary base decreased during September compared to its value last August, amounting to $118.27 billion (443.52 billion riyals).

It is noteworthy that the monetary base in the Kingdom consists of deposits at the Central Bank, cash in the IMF, and cash in circulation outside banks.

The value of deposits with the Central Bank amounted to $46.46 billion (174.23 billion riyals) at the end of last August, and they belonged to local bank deposits, while cash in the IMF amounted to $5.45 billion (20.45 billion riyals), compared to $66.36 billion (248.84 billion riyals) in cash in circulation outside banks.

According to Central Bank data, the volume of obligations towards the government decreased by 18.4% at the end of last September on an annual basis, reaching $86.02 billion (322.56 billion riyals), compared to $105.41 billion (395.28 billion riyals) in the same month of 2025.

Claims on the government and obligations also declined by the end of September, on a monthly basis, compared to their value in August, which amounted to $95.44 billion (357.9 billion riyals), decreasing last month by 9.87%.

It is noteworthy that the assets of the Saudi Central Bank decreased by the end of August 2026 by 2.08% on an annual basis, to reach $517.59 billion (1.941 trillion riyals), compared to $528.57 billion (1.982 trillion riyals) in the same month of last year.

The assets of the central bank include the cash cover, which includes foreign exchange and gold, cash in the monetary fund, deposits with banks abroad, and investments in securities abroad, in addition to other miscellaneous assets.