Regulatory Alerts2025-02-25
Working Hours for Replenishing and Maintenance of ATMs and Money Transfers During the Holy Month of Ramadan for the Year 1446H
The Saudi Central Bank mandates that all banks and exchange centers in the Kingdom adhere to specific operating hours for money transfers and ATM replenishment during Ramadan 1446H. Money transfer services to branches, cash centers, and retail sectors must operate between 9:00 AM and 10:00 PM, while ATM maintenance in major cities, commercial hubs, airports, and railway stations runs 24 hours daily, with other cities operating from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Financial institutions are further required to strictly comply with existing security precautions outlined in Royal Decree No. (M/8) and its executive regulations throughout the holy month.
Saudi Central Bank Reference No.: 106888035 Date: 1446/08/27 Attachments: None
Circular
To: Respected Parties,
Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.
Subject: Working Hours for Replenishing and Maintenance of ATMs and Money Transfers During the Holy Month of Ramadan for the Year 1446H.
I refer to the Saudi Central Bank's authority to issue relevant instructions for financial institutions and their operations, based on the provisions of its system issued by Royal Decree No. (M/36) dated 1442/4/11H. The Saudi Central Bank confirms that all banks and exchange centers must adhere to the working hours outlined below throughout the days of the holy month of Ramadan, as follows:
First: The working hours for money transfers to branches, cash centers, transfer centers, exchange centers, and the retail sector shall be from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Second: The working hours for ATM replenishment and maintenance shall be throughout the week, including official holidays and the weekend break, operating on a (24-hour) basis for major cities (Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Khobar), commercial centers, airports, and railway stations. For the rest of the Kingdom's cities, working hours shall be from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, except as otherwise determined by the security authorities.
We also emphasize the necessity for banks and exchange centers to comply with the security precautions stipulated in the system governing money, precious metals, and valuable documents transfers issued by Royal Decree No. (M/8) dated 1428/10/18H, and its executive regulations issued by Ministerial Resolution No. (4814) dated 1433/10/9H, as well as the circulars issued by the Saudi Central Bank on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Yazeed bin Ahmed Al-Sheikh Deputy Governor for Supervision
Distribution Scope:
- Banks and financial institutions operating in the Kingdom
- Exchange centers operating in the Kingdom