Bank branches in Saudi Arabia rise to 2,076 in 2019

The bank branches operating in Saudi Arabia reached 2,076 in 2019, up from 2,064 branches at the end of 2018.

A total of 48 new branches opened last year, while 36 others were closed down, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA).

Riyad Bank shut 12 branches and launched a new one last year. Al Rajhi Bank closed down 9 branches and opened 2 others.

Meanwhile, National Commercial Bank (NCB) and Alinma Bank added 33 and 5 new branches, respectively. 

As many as 14 foreign banks are currently operating in the country, including Emirates NBD (4 branches), Gulf International Bank (3), National Bank of Kuwait (3), as well as 1 branch for BNP Paribas of France, Deutsche Bank of Germany, Bank Muscat, National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), and JPMorgan Chase & Co. of the United States, Pakistan National Bank, Ziraat Bank of Turkey, Qatar National Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ.

Saudi banks had 2,053 branches by the end of 2019, topped by Al Rajhi Bank with 544 branches. It was followed by NCB (434), Riyad Bank (310), and Arab National Bank (138). 

Saudi British Bank (SABB) followed with 132 branches, after merger completion with Alawwal Bank.

** Data reclassification

***Opening and shutdown of branches as illustrated in the table above.

Riyadh had the biggest number of bank branches which hit 626. Makkah followed with 442 branches, and the Eastern Province  with 408 branches.

Average assets per branch rose to SAR 1.267 billion in the same period from SAR 1.162 billion by the end of 2018. Average loans increased to SAR 745 million per branch, with average deposits also rising to SAR 865 million per branch.

*updated data.