SAMA: Government Housing Subsidies Not to Be Calculated in Customers’ Income

The Saudi Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs witnesses the conclusion of a new cooperation agreement in refinancing (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs witnesses the conclusion of a new cooperation agreement in refinancing (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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SAMA: Government Housing Subsidies Not to Be Calculated in Customers’ Income

The Saudi Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs witnesses the conclusion of a new cooperation agreement in refinancing (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs witnesses the conclusion of a new cooperation agreement in refinancing (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Real Estate Refinance Co. (SRC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), signed a joint cooperation agreement with Alinma Bank to acquire a real estate financing portfolio.

The agreement falls within the company’s continuous efforts to support the residential real estate market in the Kingdom, by expanding the acquisition of real estate financing portfolios and providing the necessary liquidity to ensure financial stability in the market.

The agreement was jointly signed by the company’s CEO, Fabrice Susini, and Alinma Bank CEO, Abdullah bin Ali Al-Khalifa.

Susini said the agreement was part of the company’s ongoing efforts to expand its partnerships with real estate financiers in the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, SAMA told all banks and financial institutions operating in the Kingdom that subsidies provided by government agencies to clients should not be classified within the customer’s total monthly income.

According to information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, SAMA notified financial institutions and banks that the exception to the documented government support provided by the Ministry and the Fund did not include amounts that are not paid periodically within the client’s total monthly income.



Gold Steady as Focus Shifts to US Data for Economic Cues

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
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Gold Steady as Focus Shifts to US Data for Economic Cues

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)

Gold prices were little changed on Monday, while investors awaited a slew of US economic data including the December nonfarm payrolls report for further guidance on the Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates.
Spot gold held its ground at $2,635.39 per ounce by 0510 GMT. US gold futures dropped 0.2% to $2,646.80.
How the US jobs data fares this week could hold the key to whether gold breaks out of its recent range, said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.
"There is a plethora of US data due for release this week (including ISM Services PMI data), and any downside misses could hurt the USD and help gold."
The US jobs report, due on Friday, is expected to provide more clues to the Fed's rate outlook after the US central bank rattled markets last month by reducing its projected cuts for 2025.
Investors are also awaiting ADP hiring and job openings data, as well as minutes of the Fed's last policy meeting for further direction.
Gold flourishes in a low-interest-rate environment and serves as a hedge against geopolitical uncertainties and inflation.
US President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to office on Jan. 20 and his proposed tariffs and protectionist policies are expected to fuel inflation.
This could prompt the Fed to go slow on rate cuts, limiting gold's upside. After three rate cuts in 2024, the Fed has projected only two reductions for 2025 due to persistent inflation.
The US central bank's benchmark policy rate should stay restrictive until it is more certain that inflation is returning to its 2% target, Richmond Federal Reserve President Thomas Barkin said on Friday.
Spot silver was down 0.2% at $29.57 per ounce, platinum dipped 0.7% to $931.30 and palladium fell 0.4% to $918.22.