2024-09-09
The Saudi Central Bank has issued a circular mandating financial institutions to comply with minimum standards when presenting and promoting products under a trademark different from their original identity and trade name. Institutions must adhere to regulatory guidelines, integrate impersonation risk procedures into their risk management strategies, contract trademark protection services, update relevant policies, register new trademarks prior to use, and clearly display both the trade name and trademark in communications, promotional campaigns, and official websites. These measures aim to prevent customer confusion, enhance transparency, and safeguard against cybersecurity and financial fraud risks associated with trademark impersonation.
[Logo of the Saudi Central Bank]
Number: 46015180 Date: 1446/03/06 Attachments: None
Circular
To: Respected Sirs, Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you,
Subject: Regarding Presenting and Promoting Products with a Trademark Different from the Original Identity and Trade Name of the Financial Institution.
Based on the Saudi Central Bank System issued by Royal Decree No. (M/36) dated 1442/04/11 AH, and the authorities vested in the Saudi Central Bank under related systems, and in light of the continuous efforts of the Saudi Central Bank to protect customers of financial institutions and enhance the principle of disclosure and transparency in the financial sector, and with a view to determining the minimum standards and procedures that financial institutions must comply with when presenting products and promoting them under a trademark different from the original identity and trade name of the financial institution,
We wish to inform you that when a financial institution presents products and promotes them under a trademark different from the original identity and trade name of the financial institution, it must comply with at least the following:
First: Adherence to the considered systems, regulations, and instructions issued by the Saudi Central Bank, as well as any future issuances by the Bank on this matter, and avoiding any act that may cause confusion or misleading to customers.
Second: Including in the financial institution's risk management strategy and policy the procedures to be taken in case of identity or trademark impersonation, particularly regarding risks related to cybersecurity and financial fraud.
Third: Contracting with trademark protection service providers to monitor all types and methods of trademark impersonation, and taking necessary actions regarding them, whether the impersonation occurs through traditional means or via social media platforms and websites.
Fourth: Reviewing and updating related policies - such as the usage policy and data privacy policy - when referring to the financial institution's trademark or its updated digital domains, and notifying relevant parties thereof.
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Fifth: Registering the (new/updated) trademark with relevant authorities before its use, and notifying the Saudi Central Bank thereof.
Sixth: Conducting a promotional campaign to announce the new trademark, while clarifying the financial institution's trade name as stipulated in the commercial register.
Seventh: Using both the trade name and trademark together when communicating with customers via telephone, and it is sufficient to refer to both the trade name and trademark together when communicating with customers via text messages for the first time.
Eighth: Stating the trade name, trademark, and license number on websites owned by the financial institution.
Ninth: Stating both the trade name and trademark together when indicating that the financial institution is subject to the supervision of the Saudi Central Bank.
For information and action as of its date.
Yours sincerely,
[Signature] Yazed bin Ahmed Al-Sheikh Deputy Governor for Supervision
On behalf of / Yazed bin Abdulhamid Al-Nufjan Deputy Governor for Financial Innovation
Distribution Scope:
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P.O. Box 2992, Riyadh 11169, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Phone: +966 11 463