Updating the General Rules for Organizing and Sponsoring Events

Circular
To: Respected Sirs,
Greetings,
Subject: Updating the General Rules for Organizing and Sponsoring Events.

Based on the powers vested in the Saudi Central Bank under the system issued by Royal Decree No. (M/36) dated 11/04/1442H, and other related systems, and in addition to the General Rules for Organizing and Sponsoring Events, notified under Circular No. (472033844) dated 03/06/1447H.

Attached are the updated General Rules for Organizing and Sponsoring Events, which include a new scope regulating the participation of financial institutions in events through the presence of a temporary booth for the purpose of introducing the financial institution and marketing its products and services, without the requirement of obtaining a no-objection letter from the Saudi Central Bank, for all financial institutions licensed by the Saudi Central Bank.

For information and implementation, effective from the date of its publication on the Saudi Central Bank's website.

Accept my regards,
Yazeed bin Hamad Al-Riyahi
Deputy Governor for Supervision

Distribution Scope:

• All financial institutions supervised by the Saudi Central Bank.

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General Rules for Participation in Events
Second Edition
Safar 1448H – July 2026M

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Table of Contents:
Chapter Page
Chapter One: Definitions and General Provisions 3
Chapter Two: Governance and Internal Policies 4
Chapter Three: Professional and Behavioral Obligations 4
Chapter Four: Risk Management and Event-Related Obligations 5
Chapter Five: Final Provisions 6

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Chapter One
Definitions and General Provisions
Article One:
The terms and expressions below - when mentioned in these Rules - have the meanings clarified below, unless the context dictates otherwise:

Term Definition
Central Bank The Saudi Central Bank.
Financial Institution Any entity subject to the supervision and oversight of the Central Bank.
Rules The General Rules for Participation in Events.
Events Conferences, forums, seminars, symposiums, and similar events.
Sponsoring an Event The provision of financial, moral, and logistical support by a financial institution for an event organized by another party.
Participation in Events Participation in events, whether directly or indirectly, and sponsoring them, and presence at them via a temporary booth, within or outside the Kingdom, and directly or through a third party to whom the matter is delegated. Temporary Booth A space designated for presence at an event for the purpose of introducing the financial institution and marketing its products and services. Professional Conduct Performing duties with diligence, integrity, and objectivity in accordance with best practices, and continuously striving to achieve the financial institution's objectives, within the scope of authorized powers, and with impartiality free from bias, without violating the provisions of systems and regulations, and without causing harm to the public interest, and avoiding achieving personal interest.

Article Two:
The Rules aim to set the minimum requirements that a financial institution must comply with when participating in events; thereby enhancing governance and professional conduct practices, and reducing reputational risks.

Article Three:
These Rules apply to the financial institution when participating in any event for any purpose.

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Chapter Two
Governance and Internal Policies
Article Four:
The financial institution must prepare a policy that regulates its participation in events, which must be approved by the Board of Directors - or equivalent - and the policy must include, at a minimum and considering the nature of participation in the event, the following:

a. The mechanism for complying with the conditions and restrictions stipulated in related systems, regulations, and instructions, and what the Rules include. b. Responsibilities and roles of administrative units.
c. Criteria for selecting events.
d. Criteria for selecting participating parties, sponsors, and speakers. e. Mechanism for risk assessment and management. f. Organization of the approval and licensing mechanism required.

Article Five:
The financial institution must document its participation in the event in a special file, and submit an annual participation report to the Board of Directors of the financial institution - or equivalent.

Chapter Three
Professional and Behavioral Obligations
Article Six:
The financial institution must carefully select its participating representatives in events, ensuring their suitability in terms of skills and experience, in addition to verifying their compliance with the following:

a. Professional conduct. b. Maintaining confidentiality of information.
c. Not disclosing or referring to any information that may harm the interests of the Kingdom, its people, the public interest, or the financial institution's interest.
d. Not engaging in topics of a political nature, or any sensitive topic that may affect public opinion, or damaging the reputation of a financial institution or another entity or brand. e. Refraining from any position that may result in a material or moral commitment for the financial institution, and reporting to the relevant management of the financial institution to determine the position, unless the participant has explicit authorization to commit to such.

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Chapter Four
Risk Management and Event-Related Obligations
Article Seven:
The financial institution must conduct a preliminary assessment of potential risks associated with participation in the event, and take necessary measures to avoid them, documenting the assessment results and procedures taken, including the event file.

Article Eight:
The financial institution must - according to the nature of participation in the event - exercise due diligence in selecting the content and topics of the event and their appropriateness, and verify compliance with the provisions of related systems, regulations, and instructions, and their alignment with the financial institution's policies and its strategic objectives and corporate mission.

Article Nine:
The financial institution must - according to the nature of participation in the event - exercise due diligence to verify the selection of participating parties, sponsors, and speakers in the event, and the absence of any observations regarding them. This verification includes confirming the orientation of these parties and speakers and the absence of any observations or precedents that do not comply with the systems and instructions in force in the Kingdom, and that the parties and speakers possess sufficient specialization and knowledge in the field of the event.

Article Ten:
The financial institution must - according to the nature of participation in the event - adopt topics and select speakers in the event according to an approved authority matrix that considers the nature of the topic and the level of the speaker; whereby senior management adopts topics and speakers with significant impact.

Article Eleven:
The financial institution must - according to the nature of participation in the event - not allow during the event's proceedings any insult to the State and its policies, or engaging in any political, sectarian, tribal, or sectarian matters that incite passions and fitna in society, or lead to a violation of public order.

Article Twelve:
The financial institution must commit to not displaying any data, information, and statistics during the event that are not authorized and documented according to the related Rules and instructions.

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Article Thirteen:
Except for the requirement of obtaining a no-objection letter from the Central Bank according to the instructions notified to banks and financial institutions under the Central Bank's Circular No. (43089486) dated 23/10/1443H, banks, financial institutions, and licensed financial institutions participating in events via a temporary booth - without requiring the completion of the Central Bank's no-objection letter - are permitted, provided they commit to the following:

a. That participation is limited to informational, marketing, and awareness activities, including the financial institution's employees, and according to the requirements specified in the related instructions. b. That participation is limited to the duration of the event; with a maximum of (30) days from the date of opening the booth.
c. That participation is limited to events held within the Kingdom.
d. That attendees are directed to the financial institution's approved channels to obtain services and products.

Chapter Five
Final Provisions
Article Fourteen:
The provisions of these Rules do not derogate from the provisions contained in systems and related instructions issued by the Central Bank and other related parties.

Article Fifteen:
The Rules come into force from the date of their publication on the Central Bank's website.