2020-05-29

The Resumption of Finance Companies Business

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority mandates the full resumption of operations and branch activities for finance companies in the Kingdom starting May 31, 2020, following a prior suspension. Companies must implement gradual returns to office while strictly adhering to Ministry of Health protocols, including social distancing, temperature screening at entrances, continuous disinfection, and mask provision. The directive further requires setting maximum customer limits per branch, maintaining pre-curfey working hours, and sustaining awareness campaigns to promote digital channel usage.

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority
Head Office

General Department for Finance Companies Supervision
Reference No.: ………………………………
Attachments: ………………………………

Circular

To Whom It May Concern, Dear Sir/Madam,

Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.

Subject: Regarding the Resumption of Finance Companies Business
Reference is made to the Authority's instructions communicated via email on 7/10/1441 AH (corresponding to 29/5/2020 AD) regarding the resumption of finance companies business.
A copy of this circular is attached, which must be complied with from the date of its email dispatch.
Yours sincerely,

Badr bin Hazam Al-Otaibi
General Manager, Finance Companies Supervision

Distribution Scope:

  • Finance companies operating in the Kingdom

P.O. Box 2992, Riyadh 1169, Tel: +966 11 4662070, Fax: +966 11 466248


From:
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2020 10:02 AM
Subject: Circular Regarding the Resumption of Finance Companies Business

Dear Finance Companies, Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.

Addressees,
With reference to the esteemed approval issued on 3/10/1441 AH (corresponding to 26/5/2020 AD), which includes several decisions, including lifting the suspension on attendance for ministries, government entities, and the private sector, and returning to office activities according to controls set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, in coordination with the Ministry of Health and relevant authorities, starting from Sunday 8/10/1441 AH (corresponding to 31/5/2020 AD), until the end of Saturday 28/10/1441 AH (corresponding to 20/6/2020 AD), and returning thereafter to normal life conditions in all regions of the Kingdom, including pre-lockdown status except for Makkah City, with full compliance with health and preventive instructions and social distancing. This is also subject to the Authority's circular No. 41050484 dated 21/7/1441 AH regarding the regulation of financial institutions' "remote" work according to specific controls, and subsequent circulars concerning the partial lifting of the curfew in some regions of the Kingdom.

We wish to inform you that the following has been decided:
First: All operations in the general offices of finance companies will resume normally, with emphasis on preparing workplaces to align with controls and circulars issued regarding preventive measures and precautionary steps to ensure employees return to office activities in a safe work environment, with gradual implementation as determined by each company.
Second: All finance company branches will operate fully, according to normal working hours prior to the curfew period, starting from Sunday 8/10/1441 AH (corresponding to 31/5/2020 AD), with emphasis on the following:

    1. Compliance with necessary precautionary measures established by the Ministry of Health for employees attending workplaces, in accordance with the Ministry of Health's issued COVID-19 Preventive Guide for workplaces.
    1. Continuation of awareness campaigns aimed at encouraging customers to use electronic channels.

    1. Setting a maximum limit for the number of customers served at one time, while ensuring sufficient space for social distancing among finance company employees in workplaces, as well as between employees and customers of the companies and their branches.
    1. Continuous disinfection of workplaces, including general offices and branches, and adopting the highest safety standards to ensure the safety of visitors to finance company workplaces.
    1. Providing screening points at the entrances of workplaces, including general offices and branches, to measure the temperature of employees and customers, providing necessary sanitizers and masks, and equipping finance company staff with all necessary preventive precautions.

For information and action as of its date.
Regards,

Finance Companies Supervision Department - Offsite Division
Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority