The capacity of the banking sector to respond to macroeconomic shocks, and regional uncertainties have been strengthened considerably over the past decade. Historically, the operating environment has been volatile as a result o f pervasive dependence on the hydrocarbon sector and swings in investor confidence associated with uncertainty in the region. This experience has helped shape fairly risk-averse portfolios: the bank-led financial system has functioned with substantial capital-adequacy ratios (CAR), loan-loss provisions, and liquidity buffers. The sector is highly profitable, with returns on assets averaging above 2 percent, supported by a large, low-cost demand deposit base. These buffers are underpinned by an effective regulatory and supervisory structure that proactively contains risk taking through the use o f maximum loan-deposit ratios, caps on individual and corporate indebtedness, and pre-approval requirements on foreign lending. The sector is supported by a modem and efficient payment and settlement infrastructure.