Decent deposit growth at year-end with strong trends in government and non-resident sub-segments. Loan growth points to a slight improvement, but the overall trend remains subdued.   Uptick in loan growth: Loan growth (gross basis) improved marginally to 6.0% Y-o-Y from 5.8% in November, with strong trend in lending to public sector (11.4%). Sector loans were up 0.5% Q-o-Q and flat M-o-M.   Good deposit growth at year end: Deposit grew by 6.2% Y-o-Y in December versus 4.9% Y-o-Y a month earlier. Non-resident deposits (13% of total deposits) were up 16% Y-o-Y while resident deposits grew 5% Y-o-Y. Government deposits rose 19% Y-o-Y (7% M-o-M), while private sector deposits rose 6% Y-o-Y (2.5% M-o-M). Sector deposits were up 3.6% Q-o-Q and 2.7% M-o-M in December.   Liquidity improves: UAE’s LDR improved to 94% from 97% in November as deposit growth outpaced loan growth during the month. The regulatory lending to stable resources ratio was at 87%, compared to 88% in November and was well below the regulatory ceiling of 100%. (Shabbir Malik, Central Bank of UAE)