NCB, Samba Complete Largest Banking Merger in Saudi Arabia

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (AFP)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (AFP)
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NCB, Samba Complete Largest Banking Merger in Saudi Arabia

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (AFP)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (AFP)

The Saudi National Commercial Bank (NCB) and Samba Financial Group (Samba) announced Thursday the formal completion of the biggest merger in the Middle East to create a new Saudi banking champion and a regional powerhouse.

Operations under the new combined entity name, Saudi National Bank (SNB) became effective as of April 1, and the two banks will continue to serve customers as normal while progressing the full integration of products and services.

Customers should continue to bank as normal with their respective banks and will not experience any difference in their banking services.

In case of any updates to products, services, or if any action is required from a customer, the bank will communicate in advance to advise of any changes.

The new bank began trading as a single listed entity on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) on April 1, while Samba shares had been de-listed, and all its assets, liabilities, and operations transferred into the Saudi National Bank, which will continue to honor Samba’s obligations going forward.

Saudi National Bank is the largest bank in Saudi Arabia with a 30 percent market share across all metrics. It has over $239 billion in total assets, $34 billion in shareholders’ equity, and a combined net profit of $4.2 billion.

As a strong bank with a robust capital position and strong liquidity, SNB is optimally positioned to finance economic development and enable the delivery of Vision 2030 by leveraging its increased scale, enhanced capabilities, and unparalleled employee talent.

SNA chairman, Ammar al-Khudairy explained that the formation of Saudi National Bank signals a new era of banking for the Kingdom.

He asserted that SNB is in prime position to compete regionally and locally, ultimately creating a positive impact for all of our stakeholders while accelerating the Kingdom’s journey toward Vision 2030.

SNB CEO Saeed al-Ghamdi noted that the legacy NCB and Samba served the Kingdom over the last 68 years and now, they combine their respective strengths to lead the future of banking that is committed to creating value for the nation and its people.

“Our customers remain our priority, and we look forward to ensuring a smooth transition as we enter into the integration process.”

Following earlier approval from the CMA for NCB to increase its capital to 44.78 billion, Samba shareholders will receive 0.739 ordinary shares in SNB as consideration for every ordinary Samba Financial Group share held.



Saudi-Egyptian Electrical Connection Improves Power Supply in the Region

The sun sets behind high-voltage power line poles (Reuters)
The sun sets behind high-voltage power line poles (Reuters)
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Saudi-Egyptian Electrical Connection Improves Power Supply in the Region

The sun sets behind high-voltage power line poles (Reuters)
The sun sets behind high-voltage power line poles (Reuters)

Mohamed Farouk, Vice Chairman of El-Gammal Group, the company implementing the Egypt-Saudi Arabia electrical interconnection project, stated that the initiative will significantly enhance electricity supply in the region and reduce power outages that many Arab countries have been grappling with.

During the past summer, at least seven Arab countries, including Kuwait—a nation known for its oil wealth—experienced recurring power cuts due to record-breaking heatwaves.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat from his office in Cairo, Farouk explained that the electrical interconnection, set to launch between April and May next year, will bolster the reliability of power stations in both Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

He added that this project is expected to serve as a cornerstone for broader Arab electrical integration.

The initiative originated from a cooperation agreement signed by Egypt and Saudi Arabia in 2012, with an estimated cost of $1.8 billion, of which $600 million is Egypt’s share. Funding has been provided by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the Islamic Development Bank, and internal resources from the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company.

This project represents the first high-voltage current exchange initiative in the Middle East and North Africa. It spans from Badr City in Egypt to Madinah, passing through Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. It includes the construction of three high-voltage conversion stations: two in Saudi Arabia, located in Madinah and Tabuk, and one in Badr, east of Cairo. These stations will be interconnected by overhead transmission lines stretching approximately 1,350 kilometers, along with 22 kilometers of underwater cables across the Gulf of Aqaba.

Farouk also announced that El-Gammal Group has earmarked $200 million to establish a polyethylene manufacturing complex in Saudi Arabia, with completion planned by the end of next year.

The company is targeting a 25% market share in Saudi Arabia’s polyethylene sector within three to four years.

“We have obtained the necessary licenses for the factory and are currently in the process of selecting the most suitable location,” Farouk explained.

The group is actively engaged in infrastructure and energy projects and produces a significant portion of the materials used in these endeavors, such as pipelines for oil and gas projects. One of its notable achievements includes the monorail project, where it integrated all stations with the Greater Cairo electricity distribution network.

Farouk emphasized the significance of the Saudi market, describing it as “large and promising.”

He added: “We aim to establish a strong presence in Saudi Arabia, both in the general contracting and manufacturing sectors.”