SAR1,902m SABB profits for third quarter 2007

Net profit of SAR651m ($174m) for the three months ended 30 September 2007 - up SAR5m ($1m), or 0.8 per cent, compared with SAR646m ($172m) for the same period in 2006.

Earnings per share of SAR5.07 ($1.35) for the nine months ended 30 September 2007 - down 22.5 per cent from SAR6.55 ($1.75) for the same period in 2006.

Operating income of SAR3,155m ($841m) for the nine months ended 30 September 2007 - down SAR450m ($120m), or 12.5 per cent, compared with SAR3,605m ($961m) for the same period in 2006.

Customer deposits of SAR70.3bn ($18.7bn) at 30 September 2007 - up SAR10.6bn ($2.8bn), or 17.8 per cent, compared with SAR59.7bn ($15.9bn) at 30 September 2006.

Loans and advances to customers of SAR54.2bn ($14.5bn) at 30 September 2007 - up SAR13.0bn ($3.5bn), or 31.6 per cent, from SAR41.2bn ($11.0bn) at 30 September 2006.

The bank's investment portfolio totalled SAR17.0bn ($4.5bn) at 30 September 2007 compared with SAR16.6bn ($4.4bn) at 30 September 2006.

Total assets of SAR89.6bn ($23.9bn) at 30 September 2007 - up SAR12.3bn ($3.3bn), or 15.9 per cent, over 30 September 2006.

John Coverdale, Managing Director of SABB, said: " I am pleased to report that SABB's financial performance has shown consistent growth during the first three quarters of 2007. Despite the reduction in brokerage and mutual funds income for the nine months of 2007, compared to 2006, SABB delivered third quarter 2007 profits that match those generated in the same 3 months of last year. This achievement demonstrates the success of our increased focus on core banking activities and our investment in staff and systems designed to support those activities.

"The 31.6 per cent increase in loans and advances compared to 30 September 2006 reflects the strength of our corporate relationships and has been assisted by encouraging growth within our retail business, especially our cards and mortgage offerings. This loan growth has been supported by a 17.8 per cent increase in customer deposits that has contributed to the SAR341 m, or 18.0 per cent, increase in net interest income. Excluding the lower contribution from the brokerage and mutual funds businesses, core banking non-funds income has grown by SAR214 m, or 15.0 per cent, compared to the first nine months of 2006.

"We have successfully managed cost growth this year following the significant investment in rebranding, recruitment and systems during 2006. Bad debt levels are in line with asset growth and increased card and consumer finance market penetration. General credit quality is sound especially within the corporate sector which is benefiting from the strong underlying Saudi economy and major construction and infrastructure development projects. The bank's capital and liquidity positions remain strong.

"Our insurance company, SABB Takaful, which began trading on 1 July 2007, has had a very good first three months of business delivering a comprehensive range of insurance products to both our retail and corporate clients. Together with our joint venture investment bank, HSBC Saudi Arabia Limited, SABB is well positioned to deliver a full range of financial services within the Kingdom. As an affiliate of HSBC, SABB is joining up with the Group's product and distribution capabilities worldwide to provide global solutions to our clients' needs.

"We thank our customers for their continued support, and our staff for their commitment and contribution to the bank's success. "