2020-11-29

Standardization of the Elements of Notifications Sent to Customers of Financial Institutions

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has issued a circular mandating financial institutions to standardize the minimum elements of customer notification messages for all financial transactions, including purchases, transfers, fees, and e-wallet operations. Institutions must implement the updated notification templates containing specified details such as amounts, currencies, card types, dates, and times within 60 days of the circular's issuance, while submitting an implementation plan to SAMA within two weeks. Non-compliance with these standardized notification requirements and the stipulated deadlines will trigger regulatory enforcement actions.

Saudi Central Bank logo

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Central Bank

Click to view thumbnail

Saudi Central Bank 42023876 1442/04/14 6 Safar

Circular

To: Respected Parties, Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you, Subject: Standardization of the elements of notifications sent to customers of financial institutions.

In continuation of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) letter No. 381000060893 dated 1438/06/07 AH regarding the standardization of notification elements sent to bank customers for Mada card transactions, and in light of the Central Bank's commitment to enhancing customer awareness through notification messages for transactions executed on their accounts, memberships, and e-wallets.

Attached is an update to the notification templates by adding basic elements for SMS notifications as per the mechanism detailed in Table No. (1) and Table No. (2) as a minimum. Accordingly, financial institutions are required to send notification messages for all financial transactions and implement the requirements as outlined in the attached tables within (60) days from its date, and provide the Central Bank with an implementation plan within two weeks. Please note that regulatory measures will be taken in case of non-compliance with the stipulated procedures within the specified timeframe.

Yours sincerely, Fahd bin Ibrahim Al-Shathri Deputy Governor for Supervision

Distribution Scope:

  • Banks and financial institutions operating in the Kingdom.
  • Payment service providers.
  • Category (A) exchange companies.

Table No. (1):

Transaction TypeMinimum Information Required
Domestic PurchasesAmount, Currency<br>Store Name<br>Card Type (Mada, Credit), executed via e.g., (Apple Pay, Mada Pay, Atheer)<br>Card Number (last four digits)<br>Date<br>Time
Foreign PurchasesAmount, Currency<br>Store Name<br>Country<br>Card Type (Mada, Credit), executed via e.g., (Apple Pay, Mada Pay, Atheer)<br>Card Number (last four digits)<br>Date<br>Time
Foreign Cash WithdrawalAmount, Currency<br>Country<br>Fees<br>Card Type (Mada, Credit)<br>Card Number (last four digits)<br>Date<br>Time
Domestic Cash WithdrawalAmount, Currency<br>Withdrawal Location (ATM location or branch location/code)<br>Card Type (Mada, Credit)<br>Card Number (last four digits)<br>Date<br>Time
ChequesAmount, Currency<br>Name of Payee<br>Cheque Owner's Account Number<br>Date<br>Time
Cash DepositAmount, Currency<br>Deposit Method (e.g., branch or ATM)<br>Account Number<br>Date<br>Time

Transaction TypeMinimum Information Required
Domestic TransfersTransferred Amount, Currency<br>Fees<br>Sender Name (for incoming transfers)<br>Receiver Name (for outgoing transfers)<br>Sender Account Number (for incoming transfers)<br>Receiver Account Number (for outgoing transfers)<br>Date<br>Time
International TransfersTransferred Amount, Currency<br>Fees<br>Sender Name<br>Receiver Name<br>Sender Account Number<br>Receiver Account Number<br>Middleman Transfer Company Name: e.g., (Western Union)<br>Destination Country Name<br>Date<br>Time
Online PurchasesAmount, Currency<br>Website or Store<br>Card Type (Mada, Credit), transaction executed via e.g., (Apple Pay, Mada Pay, Atheer)<br>Card Number (last four digits)<br>Account Number<br>Date<br>Time
Government Bill PaymentsAmount, Currency<br>Entity/Authority<br>Service<br>Bill Number<br>Date<br>Time
Other Bill PaymentsAmount, Currency<br>Payer<br>Service<br>Bill Number<br>Date<br>Time

Transaction TypeMinimum Information Required
Financing/Refinancing OperationsFinancing Type<br>Total Financing Amount<br>Monthly Installment<br>Account Number<br>Date<br>Time
Monthly Financing DeductionFinancing Type<br>Due Installment Amount<br>Total Remaining Balance<br>Account Number<br>Date<br>Time
FeesAmount, Currency<br>Reason<br>Account Number<br>Date<br>Time
Refund/ReversalAmount, Currency<br>Country (for foreign transactions)<br>Store or Website or Entity<br>Account Number<br>Date<br>Time
Mobile App OperationsApp Name (e.g., Apple Pay)<br>Amount, Currency<br>Store or Website Name<br>Card Type (Mada, Credit)<br>Card Number (last four digits)<br>Date<br>Time
E-Wallet Top-upsWallet Name (e.g., STCPay)<br>Amount, Currency<br>Top-up Channel (Mada, Credit, Sadad...)<br>Card Number (last four digits)<br>Amount, Currency<br>Date<br>Time

Transaction TypeMinimum Information Required
E-Wallet OperationsAmount, Currency<br>Card Type (Mada, Credit) / Transaction<br>Card Number (last four digits)<br>Store or Website Name<br>Date<br>Time

Table No. (2):

Arabic TermEnglish Term
Bill PaymentBill Payment
One-time Bill PaymentBill Payment one time
Certified Cheque IssuedCertified Cheque Issued
Credit Card Cash ReleaseCredit Card Cash Release
Credit Card Cash ReserveCredit Card Cash Reserve
Credit Card CashbackCredit Card Cashback
Credit Card CreditedCredit Card Credited
Credit Card PaymentCredit Card Payment
Credit Card RefundCredit Card Refund
Credit Transaction FeesCredit Transaction Fees
Credit Transfer from CardCredit transfer from card
Credit Transfer Between Your AccountsCredit transfer Between Your Accounts
Credit Transfer Citizen AccountCredit transfer Citizen Account
Emergency Cash WithdrawalCredit transfer Emergency Cash Withdrawal
Credit Transfer From Your Current AccountCredit transfer From Your Current Account
Credit Transfer From Your Investment AccountCredit transfer From Your Investment Account
Credit Transfer HafizCredit transfer Hafiz
Credit Transfer InternalCredit transfer Internal
Credit Transfer InternationalCredit transfer International
Credit Transfer LoanCredit transfer Loan
Credit Transfer LocalCredit transfer Local
Credit Transfer SalaryCredit transfer Salary
Credit Transfer SponsorCredit transfer Sponsor
Credit Transfer Student RewardCredit transfer Student Reward
Debit Transaction FeesDebit Transaction Fees
Debit Transfer to CardDebit Transfer to card
Debit Transfer Between Your AccountsDebit Transfer Between Your Accounts
Debit Transfer InternalDebit Transfer Internal
Debit Transfer InternationalDebit Transfer International

Arabic TermEnglish Term
Debit Transfer Loan InstalmentDebit Transfer Loan Instalment
Debit Transfer LocalDebit Transfer Local
Debit Transfer SalaryDebit Transfer Salary
Debit Transfer SponsoredDebit Transfer Sponsored
Debit Transfer To Your Current AccountDebit Transfer To Your Current Account
Debit Transfer To Your Investment accountDebit Transfer To Your Investment account
Debit Certified ChequeDebit Certified Cheque
Debit Paper ChequeDebit Paper Cheque
Deposit ATMDeposit ATM
Deposit BranchDeposit Branch
Deposit Certified ChequeDeposit Certified Cheque
Deposit Paper ChequeDeposit Paper Cheque
Foreign Currency PurchaseForeign Currency Purchase
International ATM WithdrawalInternational ATM Withdrawal
MOI PaymentsMOI Payments
Online PurchaseOnline Purchase
Standing Order Bill PaymentPermanent transfer Bill Payment
Standing Order Debit Transfer Bank InternalPermanent transfer Debit transfer Bank internal
Standing Order Debit Transfer Between Your AccountsPermanent transfer Debit transfer Between Your Accounts
Standing Order Debit Transfer InternationalPermanent transfer Debit transfer International
Standing Order Debit Transfer LocalPermanent transfer Debit transfer Local
Standing Order Debit Transfer SalaryPermanent transfer Debit transfer Salary
Standing Order MOI PaymentsPermanent transfer MOI Payments
PoS International PurchasePoS International Purchase
PoS PurchasePoS Purchase
PoS Purchase & CashbackPoS Purchase & Cashback
PoS SettlementPoS settlement
Received TransferReceived transfer
Refunding MOI PaymentsRefunding MOI Payments
Reverse TransactionReverse Transaction
ATM WithdrawalATM Withdrawal
Branch WithdrawalBranch Withdrawal