RIYADH: Saudi banks’ real estate loans surged to a record SR846.48 billion ($225.73 billion) in the third quarter of 2024, marking a 13.29 percent annual increase, official data showed.  Data from the Saudi Central Bank, also known as SAMA, indicated that this growth was driven by both retail and corporate lending, with corporate loans experiencing a 22 percent increase to reach SR189.6 billion.   Lending to individuals made up the lion’s share, accounting for 78 percent of the total at SR656.88 billion, reflecting an annual growth rate of 11.02 percent.