*9-mo net profit $500.9 million vs $672.8 million yr ago
*Bank put aside $54.6 million in Q3 for provisions
*Total provisions $742 million at end Sept (Adds more details)
AMMAN, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Arab Bank posted a 25 percent fall in nine-month net profit to $500.9 million and increased provisions for bad loans, according to financial statements released on Monday.
The statements, seen by Reuters, still need final approval from the Central Bank of Jordan.
Arab Bank, one of the Middle East's major financial institutions, put aside $54.6 million in provisions for non-performing loans in the third quarter. Total provisions rose to $742 million as of Sept. 30 from $647.5 million in the same period last year.
Arab Bank said in June that it was exposed to troubled Saudi Arabian groups Saad and Al Gosaibi but that it would not affect its financial position.
The statement showed that assets of Arab Bank Group, which includes Arab Bank Switzerland based in Zurich, rose to $49.56 billion in the first half of the year against $45.63 billion at the end of the year. Deposits rose to $30.9 billion at end of September 2009 against $28.58 billion at end of last year.
(Writing by Suleiman al-Khalidi; Editing by Erica Billingham) ($1 = 0.709 dinar)