Banking

Despite the challenges to Tunisia’s economy, the banking sector has experienced positive growth in recent years. Several risks, however, still threaten the overall health of the sector, including a reduction in available liquidity, low levels of capitalisation and credit risk. In an effort to address these issues, the Central Bank of Tunisia has been implementing significant structural reforms, however, barriers to consolidation may limit activity in the short term. In the longer term, the financial system will be instrumental to diversifying the economy’s sources of funding away from traditional banks, with more inclusive opportunities stemming from the Islamic banking, microfinance and leasing segments. This chapter contains interviews with Chedli Ayari, Former Governor, Central Bank of Tunisia; and Habib Ben Hadj Kouider, Director-General, Banque Nationale Agricole (BNA).