Saudi Arabia in Talks to Join BRICS Bank for East-West Money Wall.

The New Development Bank (NDB), also known as the "Brics bank," is in talks with Saudi Arabia to become a member as sanctions weigh on Russia, which is one of five founding members of the lender alongside Brazil, India, China, and South Africa. The move could ease some funding pain for the institution that has lent $33 billion to 96 projects since its 2015 inception. Middle East money is seen as a solution to plugging the growing financial gaps created in Asia by Western investment restrictions. However, past caution to investing in the continent suggests oil-rich countries may not live up to expectations.