Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia uses the Saudi riyal (SAR). Banks serving the market include locally incorporated institutions and licensed branches of foreign banks; the regulator also publishes information about digital banking and other categories of financial providers. The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) is the competent authority for banking supervision and maintains lists of authorised institutions.

Saudi Arabia has a Depositors Protection Fund (DPF) covering eligible deposits at participating licensed banks, including relevant foreign bank branches under the fund rules. Deposit protection does not mean that every investment or financing arrangement is risk-free. In Sharia-compliant banking, contracts may use forms such as murabaha or other structures, and pricing should be understood from the full agreement rather than an advertised monthly instalment alone.