2024-08-23
The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) issued these ATM Instructions to establish a comprehensive regulatory and supervisory framework for licensing, revoking, and replacing automated teller machines located outside bank branches. The directive mandates that financial institutions apply for licenses via the SAMA Net portal, submit precise geographic coordinates and supporting documentation, and register all active sites in the "Shumul" system. Furthermore, it enforces strict reporting timelines, distance-based replacement criteria across five population-defined regions, and continuous customer communication standards to ensure nationwide geographic coverage and operational transparency.
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Saudi Central Bank
Circular No.: 46010824 Date: 1446/02/18 (AH) Attachments:
To Whom It May Concern, Peace be upon you, Subject: ATM Instructions
Based on the authorities vested in SAMA under its system issued by Royal Decree No. (M/36) dated 11-4-1442 AH, and the Banking Control System issued by Royal Decree No. (M/5) dated 22-2-1386 AH, and in light of SAMA's efforts to establish a regulatory and supervisory framework for ATM licenses.
Attached are the ATM Instructions, which aim to encourage geographical distribution of the ATM network to ensure coverage across all regions, in addition to establishing a supervisory framework for licensing and revoking ATM licenses.
For information and action as of the date hereof. Please note that these Instructions supersede previous SAMA circulars regarding the licensing and revocation of ATM licenses.
Yours sincerely,
Yazeed bin Ahmed Al-Sheikh Deputy Governor for Supervision
Distribution Scope:
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ATM Instructions August 2024 CE
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Table of Contents
| Subject | Page No. |
|---|---|
| Table of Contents | 2 |
| Introduction | 3 |
| Scope of Application | 3 |
| Definitions | 3 |
| ATM Licensing | 4 |
| ATM Revocation | 5 |
| ATM Replacement | 5 |
| Customer Communication | 6 |
| Reporting Requirements | 6 |
| Effectiveness of Instructions | 6 |
| Appendices | 7 |
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Introduction SAMA issued these Instructions within the framework of its powers granted under the SAMA System (Royal Decree No. M/36, 11-4-1442 AH) and the Banking Control System (Royal Decree No. M/5, 22-2-1386 AH). These Instructions specify the procedures governing ATMs located outside bank/financial institution branches. They aim to: 1.1 Encourage geographical distribution of the ATM network and ensure coverage across all regions. 1.2 Establish a supervisory framework for licensing and revoking ATM licenses.
Scope of Application These Instructions apply to all local banks/financial institutions and branches of foreign banks licensed within the Kingdom, excluding ATMs affiliated with branch licenses.
Definitions The terms and phrases used in these Instructions have the meanings indicated opposite each, unless the context dictates otherwise:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| SAMA | Saudi Central Bank. |
| Instructions | ATM Instructions located outside bank/financial institution branches. |
| Bank/Financial Institution | Licensed bank/financial institution operating in the Kingdom under the Banking Control System. |
| Branches | Full-service branches providing a full range of banking services, as well as other branch models offering basic services including account opening, cash deposits, cash withdrawals, fund transfers, etc. |
| ATMs Affiliated with Branch Licenses | ATMs located inside bank/financial institution buildings, subject to their license, providing cash withdrawal and/or deposit services, plus other services like balance inquiry, mini statement, bill payment, fund transfers, etc. |
| ATMs | ATMs located outside bank/financial institution buildings, operating under independent licenses separate from branch licenses, providing cash withdrawal and other services like balance inquiry, mini statement, bill payment, fund transfers, etc. |
| Cash Acceptance Machines | Cash acceptance machines located outside bank/financial institution buildings, operating under independent licenses separate from branch licenses, providing cash deposit services only for certain corporate bank clients. |
| Drive-Thru ATMs | Drive-thru ATMs located outside bank/financial institution buildings, operating under independent licenses separate from branch licenses, offering customers cash withdrawal and other banking services via vehicle-compatible ATMs. |
| Shumul | A geographic information system managed by SAMA, allowing member banks/financial institutions to input their ATM locations with complete data. |
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5.2 Revocation Request Review The request is reviewed based on specified revocation requirements, including: 5.2.1 ATM accessibility standard in the region stated in the request. 5.2.2 Ratio of existing ATMs to the bank/financial institution's customers. 5.2.3 Reason for revocation. 5.2.4 Distance from the ATM to be revoked and other ATMs of the bank/financial institution. 5.2.5 ATM utilization rate.
If the requested ATM meets the specified revocation requirements, SAMA will issue a no-objection letter to the bank/financial institution for revocation. Upon SAMA's no-objection, the bank/financial institution must remove all ATM data (license number and date, site coordinates) from the "Shumul" system within three working days, and must physically remove the revoked ATM from its site along with all associated equipment.
[Page 7] 6.1 The bank/financial institution must install a replacement ATM in the same governorate and within a specified distance (Appendix 3), operating it within one hundred eighty days from the date of approval for the revocation request. 6.2 SAMA must be notified after installing and operating the replacement ATM within the specified timeframe. 6.3 If the bank/financial institution fails to comply with the stated timeframes, SAMA will not accept any other revocation request until the institution fulfills its obligation to install a replacement ATM.
Customer Communication The bank/financial institution must comply with the following: 7.1 Update ATM location details on their websites (internet and mobile apps). 7.2 Place an identification card on the ATM containing the ATM number and contact information in Arabic and English for customers. 7.3 Each ATM must clearly display all accepted card types.
Reporting Requirements The bank/financial institution must submit the following data to SAMA, according to required forms (Appendix 3): 8.1 Data must be displayed on the "Shumul" system, reflecting the actual status of ATMs at all times. 8.2 Monthly reports on new, revoked, and replaced ATMs (within five working days after month-end).
Effectiveness of Instructions These Instructions take effect from the date of issuance.
[Page 8] 10. Appendices 10.1 Appendix No. (1): ATM Revocation Request Form
[ATM Revocation Request Form Table] Circulating Currency Supervision Dept. ATM Supervision Section
ATM Revocation Request Form Revocation Bank/Financial Institution Name: Request Date: Number of Bank Commitments: Existing Commitments | Revoked Commitments
[Data Table]
| Request | Commitment Letter for Installing Replacement ATM | Comprehensive Photos of the ATM | License Copy | Owner's Letter | Other Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attached | Attach File | Attach File | Attach File | Attach File | Attach File |
[ATM Data Table] | TERMINAL ID | Site Name | Region | Governorate | City | District | Street Name | License No. | License Date | Shumul Coordinates | Operation Start Date | ATM Type | Reason for Revocation | Average Monthly Transactions (Last 12 Months) |
Reason for Revocation Explanation:
[Data Table for Replacement ATMs to be Revoked] | TERMINAL ID | Site Name | Street Name | District | City | Distance from ATM to be Revoked | License No. | Date | Shumul Coordinates | Operation Start Date | ATM Type |
10.2 Appendix No. (2): 10.2.1 Specified Distance Standard for ATM Replacement*
| Region | Distance Standard |
|---|---|
| Region 1 | Within 5 km |
| Region 2 | |
| Region 3 | Within 10 km |
| Region 4 | |
| Region 5 | Within 15 km |
[Page 9] 10.2.2 Region Classification
| Region | Population Range |
|---|---|
| Region 1 | Over 1 million |
| Region 2 | Half a million to 1 million |
| Region 3 | Over 100,000 to half a million |
| Region 4 | 20,000 to 100,000 |
| Region 5 | Under 20,000 |
10.3 Appendix No. (3): Reporting Requirements
Circulating Currency Supervision Dept. ATM Supervision Section Distribution of ATMs by Administrative Regions
[Data Table] | Bank/Financial Institution Name | Month | Year |
[Detailed Table of Administrative Regions]
| Administrative Region | Riyadh Region | Makkah Region | Madinah Region | Eastern Province | Qassim Region | Hail Region | Tabuk Region | Northern Borders Region | Al Jawf Region | Jazan Region | Najran Region | Al Bahah Region | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATM Location | Inside Branch | Outside Branch | Inside Branch | Outside Branch | Inside Branch | Outside Branch | Inside Branch | Outside Branch | Inside Branch | Outside Branch | Inside Branch | Outside Branch | Inside Branch |
| Number of ATMs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Number of Cash Deposit ATMs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
[Detailed Table of Administrative Regions]
| Administrative Region | Riyadh Region | Makkah Region | Madinah Region | Eastern Province | Qassim Region | Hail Region | Tabuk Region | Northern Borders Region | Al Jawf Region | Jazan Region | Najran Region | Al Bahah Region | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATM Location | Inside Branch | Outside Branch | Inside Branch | Outside Branch | Inside Branch | Outside Branch | Inside Branch | Outside Branch | Inside Branch | Outside Branch | Inside Branch | Outside Branch | Inside Branch |
| Number of Cash Deposit-Only ATMs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Number of Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Number of ATMs Previous Month | 0 | ||||||||||||
| Number of ATMs Current Month | 0 | ||||||||||||
| Difference +/- | 0 |