The GCC banking sector recorded an improved performance in 2012, maintaining its consistent recovery over the past few years. Increased profitability in 2012 was aided by continued loan asset expansion, higher non-interest income and, for most banks, lower provisioning charges. For 2013, the outlook for the GCC banking sector is good on the whole, with the region aided by continued economic expansion, and infrastructure development, together with banks’ good level of capitalisation and liquidity thereby underpinning scope for growth.