Bank branches operating in Saudi Arabia decline to 1,961 in 9M 2021

Total bank branches operating in Saudi Arabia reached 1,961 in the first nine months of 2021, compared to 2,014 branches in 2020, a decrease of 53 branches.

A total of ten new branches opened in 9M 2021, while 63 were closed down, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA).

Riyad Bank shut 23 branches by the end of 9M 2021. Similarly, Al Rajhi Bank closed 18, Saudi British Bank (SABB) eight, Bank Albilad five, Saudi National Bank (SNB) two, Banque Saudi Fransi two and Arab National Bank (ANB) four.

Meanwhile, Bank AlJazira, Credit Suisse, and Standard Chartered opened one branch each. Also, Emirates NBD added three new branches. Alinma Bank opened three branches and closed one branch during the period.

As many as 10 listed banks are operating in Saudi Arabia, in addition to 16 foreign banks with branches in Saudi Arabia, including Emirates NBD (seven branches), Gulf International Bank (three), National Bank of Kuwait (three), First Abu Dhabi Bank (three), BNP Paribas of France, Deutsche Bank of Germany, Bank Muscat, National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), JPMorgan Chase & Co. of the United States, National Bank of Pakistan, Ziraat Bank Turkey, Qatar National Bank, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Credit Suisse, and Standard Chartered.

Saudi banks’ branches decreased to 1,933 by the end of the first nine months of 2021, led by Al Rajhi Bank with 526 branches, followed by SNB (502), Riyadh Bank (251), and ANB (132).

Riyadh topped the list with the highest number of bank branches at 587. Makkah followed with 411 branches, and the Eastern Province with 374 branches.

In addition, average assets per branch rose to SAR 1.607 billion in 9M 2021 from SAR 1.479 billion in 2020.

Average loans increased to SAR 1.013 billion per branch, with average deposits rising to SAR 1.049 billion per branch.

Details and historical data of the banks' rankings