DUBAI: National Bank of Kuwait might have to take further provisions for non-performing loans if markets remain weak, its CEO Isam Al-Sager said in an interview aired on Al Arabiya television.

Last month, Kuwait’s commercial lender reported a 6.3 percent decline in fourth-quarter net profit to 54.24 million dinars ($180.8 million).

Al-Sager said in the interview that the fall was due to declining stock markets and precautionary provisions.

“There have to be precautions and provisions if the situation continues with declining asset prices and declining stock markets that would lead to bad results,” Al-Sager said.

“It would require us to take more provisions.”