Specific provisions by banks for non-performing loans climbed two per cent to Dh60.3 billion. In the January-April period, specific provisions showed a nine per cent increase. The net total assets of provisions remained practically unchanged at Dh1.742 trillion in April compared with Dh1.741 trillion in March. However, there was a surge of 4.8 per cent in the first four months of the year. Deposits at banks fell 0.6 per cent in the month to Dh1.138 trillion. However, there was a growth of 6.5 per cent in deposits in the first four months of the year.

Total private funds, which comprise capital and reserves excluding current year profits, showed a decline of 0.3 per cent at Dh278.1 billion in April. At the end of April, banks held certificates of deposits worth Dh87.7 billion, down from Dh88.2 billion in the previous month. Investments by banks grew 0.9 per cent month-on-month in April to Dh150.3 billion. In the first four months of the year, investments climbed 5.1 per cent from Dh146.3 billion, Khaleej Times reported.