The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBE) has increased the maximum amount of loans and Islamic financing for consumer purposes to a limit not exceeding 25x of the client’s net monthly salary, with a maximum of KWD25,000, up from 15x previously, with a maximum of KWD15,000, while the maximum limit for loans for housing purposes remained at KWD70,000; thus, the total amount that a customer can obtain in loans and Islamic financing is KWD95,000 (USD313,000). CBK Governor Dr. Mohammad Al-Hashil told KUNA that the new instructions come within the framework of the Central Bank’s interest in regularly reviewing its instructions and regulatory controls, in light of economic and banking developments, taking into account the changes in macroeconomic performance indicators since the last adjustment to the maximum limits of these loans in 2004, including changes in population growth rates, inflation rates and rising prices of consumer and durable goods. The increase in wages and salaries was also reflected in light of the loans’ connection to a large segment of citizens and residents, and their relative importance in the lending and financing portfolios of both banks and finance companies, with the importance of controlling growth in these loans to maintain monetary and financial stability.