SAMA signs off permits for three new open banking fintech companies

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Updated 29 March 2022
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SAMA signs off permits for three new open banking fintech companies

RIYADH: The Saudi Central Bank, also known as SAMA, has granted permits allowing three new fintechs to operate under its regulatory sandbox, bringing the total number to 35.

Customers of Bwatech, Rabet and Mala'a will now be able to access their banking information and have it shared securely with banking service providers.

These companies also fall within the operational framework of the regulatory sandbox in line with SAMA's efforts to digitize and improve financial services and accelerate the digital transformation of the financial sector. 

SAMA is working with the financial sector to build and equip an integrated system for the implementation of open banking services across the Kingdom, in accordance with the best regulatory standards for new and innovative services and technologies. 

This stage of the program will also encourage financial sector participants to start designing and planning for the implementation of new and innovative financial products and services that are in accordance with relevant open banking practices.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,183

Updated 16 February 2026
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,183

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Monday, losing 44.79 points, or 0.4 percent, to close at 11,183.85.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR4.05 billion ($1.08 billion), as 69 of the listed stocks advanced, while 191 retreated.

The MSCI Tadawul Index decreased, down 6.63 points or 0.44 percent, to close at 1,504.73.

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu lost 328.20 points, or 1.36 percent, to close at 23,764.92. This comes as 22 of the listed stocks advanced, while 49 retreated.

The best-performing stock was Maharah Human Resources Co., with its share price surging by 7.26 percent to SR6.50.

Other top performers included Arabian Cement Co., which saw its share price rise by 6.27 percent to SR22.71, and Saudi Research and Media Group, which saw a 4.3 percent increase to SR104.30.

On the downside, the worst performer of the day was Arabian Internet and Communications Services Co., whose share price fell by 8.01 percent to SR207.80.

Jahez International Co. for Information System Technology and Al-Rajhi Co. for Cooperative Insurance also saw declines, with their shares dropping by 5.61 percent and 4.46 percent to SR12.79 and SR75, respectively.

On the announcement front, Etihad Etisalat Co. announced its financial results for 2025 with a 7.9 percent year-on-year growth in its revenues, to reach SR19.6 billion.

In a Tadawul statement, Mobily said that this growth is attributed to “the expansion of all revenue streams, with a healthy growth in the overall subscriber base.”

Mobily delivered an 11.6 percent increase in net profit, reaching SR3.4 billion in 2025 compared to SR3.1 billion in 2024.

The company’s share price reached SR67.85, marking a 0.37 percent increase on the main market.