NCB, Samba Move Forward with Major Merger Plan

NCB and Samba received on Feb. 1, 2021, the approval of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) for the merger. (File/Reuters)
NCB and Samba received on Feb. 1, 2021, the approval of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) for the merger. (File/Reuters)
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NCB, Samba Move Forward with Major Merger Plan

NCB and Samba received on Feb. 1, 2021, the approval of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) for the merger. (File/Reuters)
NCB and Samba received on Feb. 1, 2021, the approval of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) for the merger. (File/Reuters)

Samba Financial Group and National Commercial Bank (NCB) are moving forward at a quick pace with the biggest merger of its kind in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia's Capital Market Authority (CMA) gave the green light for NCB to increase its capital from SAR30 billion ($8 billion) to SAR 44.7 billion ($11.9 billion), through issuing 1.478 billion ordinary shares.

The move aims to merge Samba Financial Group into NCB by transferring the former's assets and liabilities to the latter under share swap.

NCB will publish the capital hike circular within sufficient time before holding its extraordinary general meeting.

The market regulator approved the proposed offer timetable, as well as the publication of the merger offer submitted by NCB. The offer will be published to Samba shareholders within sufficient time before holding its extraordinary general meeting.

If NCB shareholders approve the capital increase, and Samba shareholders accept the merger offer in their extraordinary general meetings, the new shares will be issued to Samba shareholders who are registered at the Securities Depository Center (Edaa).

In addition, Samba shares will be delisted from Tadawul after the merger decision becomes effective.

CMA said shareholders must be informed of the circular and the offer and should study them carefully in order to reach the right decision when voting.



Saudi Arabia: Mawani Reports Container Throughput Rises at Ports in June

Jeddah Islamic Seaport. Photo: Mawani
Jeddah Islamic Seaport. Photo: Mawani
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Saudi Arabia: Mawani Reports Container Throughput Rises at Ports in June

Jeddah Islamic Seaport. Photo: Mawani
Jeddah Islamic Seaport. Photo: Mawani

The ports supervised by the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) recorded an 18.66% increase in handled containers in June, reaching 696,839 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), compared to 587,261 TEUs during the same month in 2024.

Transshipment containers also recorded an increase of 35.94%, reaching 164,999 containers, compared to 121,377 containers during the same month last year.

Export containers posted a strong increase of 17.79%, reaching 268,587 TEUs, compared to 228,031 TEUs during the same month of the previous year. Import containers grew by 10.68%, totaling 263,253 TEUs, compared to 237,853 TEUs during June 2024.

Total cargo throughput — general cargo, solid bulk, and liquid bulk — rose by 1.74%, reaching 21,464,070 tons, compared to 21,096,774 tons during the same month last year. General cargo reached 922,351 tons, solid bulk cargo 4,229,665 tons, and liquid bulk cargo 16,312,054 tons. The ports also received 959,188 head of livestock, marking a 47.35% decrease compared to 1,821,863 head during the same month last year.

Maritime traffic rose by 7.56%, with 1,039 vessels handled, compared to 966 vessels during the same month last year. Passenger traffic increased by 42.34%, reaching 78,698 travelers, compared to 55,289 during the same month of 2024. However, vehicle handling declined by 25.42%, totaling 75,437 vehicles, compared to 101,146 vehicles during the same month of the previous year.

Finally, in May 2025, Mawani reported a 13% increase in handled container volumes, reaching 720,684 TEUs, compared to 639,736 TEUs in June 2024.