Earnings per share was SAR6.95, a decrease of 14.2% for the full-year period, compared to SAR8.11 for the prior-year period. Operating income was SAR4.37 billion, a decrease of 5.3% for the full-year period, compared to SAR4.61 billion for the same period last year.

For the three-month period ended December 31, 2007, net profit was SAR705 million, an increase of 20.5%, compared to SAR585 million for the same period in 2006.

John Coverdale, managing director of Saudi British Bank (SABB), said: SABB has had a strong final three months of 2007 and has now delivered profit growth in the last four successive quarters. This robust performance reflects the strength of our core business model, the exceptional quality of our balance sheet and the close relationships that we maintain with our clients.