# Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB)

> Source: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/saudi-awwal-bank
> research date 2026-05-30 · extracted at 2026-10-07
> Publisher: Barcoder — encyclopedia of QR, barcode and payment-code standards

Specifications:
- [SAB — official](https://www.sab.com/)

## Overview

**Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB Mobile)** is **Saudi Arabian commercial bank post-Jun 16 2019 SABB Saudi British Bank + Alawwal Bank merger** + **Tadawul: 1060** + **one of the five largest Saudi banks by deposits** + **HSBC Holdings ~31% strategic investor** + **85% digital adoption in wealth and personal banking** + **103 branches + 4,062 employees Apr 2025** + **1 London branch** + **#11 Forbes Middle East 30 Most Valuable Banks 2025** <sup>[1][1], [2][2], [Saudi Arabia report](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/SA)</sup>. **2025 baseline**: SAB 85% digital adoption in wealth and personal banking + 103 branches + 4,062 employees Apr 2025 + 1 London branch + #11 Forbes Middle East 30 Most Valuable Banks 2025; **Jun 16 2019 SABB Saudi British Bank + Alawwal Bank merger** distinctive Saudi banking consolidation heritage; **SAB Mobile digital banking application** distinctive Saudi mobile banking strategy.

**Distinctive SAB positioning**:
- **Saudi Arabian commercial bank** (Saudi Awwal Bank; Tadawul: 1060; HSBC Holdings ~31% strategic investor)
- **Post-Jun 16 2019 SABB Saudi British Bank + Alawwal Bank merger** distinctive Saudi banking consolidation heritage
- **One of the five largest Saudi banks by deposits** distinctive Saudi banking sector ranking
- **HSBC Holdings ~31% strategic investor** distinctive HSBC-Saudi banking strategic alliance
- **85% digital adoption in wealth and personal banking** distinctive Saudi digital banking adoption
- **103 branches + 4,062 employees Apr 2025 + 1 London branch** distinctive Saudi banking branch + international presence
- **#11 Forbes Middle East 30 Most Valuable Banks 2025** distinctive Saudi banking Middle East ranking
- **SAB Mobile digital banking application** distinctive Saudi mobile banking strategy

## History

**1950 — The British Bank of the Middle East (HSBC predecessor) starts Saudi operations** distinctive HSBC-Saudi banking heritage.

**1978 — Saudi British Bank (SABB) founded as joint venture of HSBC + Saudi shareholders** distinctive HSBC-Saudi banking joint venture heritage.

**1926 — Saudi Hollandi Bank (later Alawwal Bank) founded** distinctive Saudi banking heritage.

**Jun 16 2019 — SABB Saudi British Bank + Alawwal Bank legal merger → Saudi Awwal Bank** distinctive Saudi banking consolidation heritage <sup>[2][2]</sup>.

**2014 — SAB Mobile digital banking application launch** distinctive Saudi mobile banking strategy.

**2025 — SAB 85% digital adoption in wealth and personal banking + 103 branches + 4,062 employees Apr 2025 + 1 London branch + #11 Forbes Middle East 30 Most Valuable Banks 2025** <sup>[1][1], [3][3]</sup>.

## Ownership & operator

**Operating entity**: **Saudi Awwal Bank** (Tadawul: 1060; Saudi Arabian commercial bank post-Jun 16 2019 SABB Saudi British Bank + Alawwal Bank merger; HSBC Holdings ~31% strategic investor).

**Major shareholders**: **HSBC Holdings (LSE: HSBA; HKEX: 0005; NYSE: HSBC; Bermuda + Hong Kong + UK global banking group) ~31% strategic investor + Saudi public investment fund PIF + General Organization for Social Insurance GOSI + Olayan Saudi Investment Company + Saudi retail + institutional + foreign investors**.

**Regulator**: **SAMA (Saudi Central Bank)**.

## Technical integration

SAB Mobile digital banking application (iOS + Android) + sab.com online + SAB 103 branches + 4,062 employees Apr 2025 across Saudi Arabia + 1 London branch + SAB Visa + Mastercard + mada cards; mada + SARIE (Saudi Arabian Riyal Interbank Express) + SPI (Saudi Payments Interface for instant payments); **SAB Mobile app offers the ease, privacy and convenience of online personal banking, allowing users to manage their finances, track spending, transfer funds, explore and apply for banking products** distinctive Saudi mobile banking comprehensive features.

## Users & growth

**2025**: SAB 85% digital adoption in wealth and personal banking + 103 branches + 4,062 employees Apr 2025 + 1 London branch + #11 Forbes Middle East 30 Most Valuable Banks 2025.

## Use cases

Saudi Arabian + UK retail + private + SME + wealth + commercial + corporate banking via SAB Mobile + sab.com online + SAB 103 branches + 4,062 employees Apr 2025 across Saudi Arabia + 1 London branch + Visa/Mastercard/mada cards; mada + SARIE + SPI; **SAB Mobile app offers the ease, privacy and convenience of online personal banking, allowing users to manage their finances, track spending, transfer funds, explore and apply for banking products** distinctive Saudi mobile banking comprehensive features.

## Implementations & partners

**Operator**: Saudi Awwal Bank (Tadawul: 1060; Saudi Arabian commercial bank post-Jun 16 2019 SABB Saudi British Bank + Alawwal Bank merger; HSBC Holdings ~31% strategic investor); HSBC Holdings (LSE: HSBA; HKEX: 0005; NYSE: HSBC; Bermuda + Hong Kong + UK global banking group) ~31% strategic investor + Saudi public investment fund PIF + General Organization for Social Insurance GOSI + Olayan Saudi Investment Company + Saudi retail + institutional + foreign investors.

**HSBC strategic alliance partnership**: **HSBC Holdings (LSE: HSBA; HKEX: 0005; NYSE: HSBC; Bermuda + Hong Kong + UK global banking group) ~31% strategic investor in Saudi Awwal Bank** distinctive HSBC-Saudi banking strategic alliance.

**Major Saudi banking + payments competitors**: [Saudi National Bank (SNB)](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/saudi-national-bank) (Saudi National Bank SNB; Tadawul: 1180; Saudi Arabia's largest commercial bank by assets post-Apr 1 2021 NCB National Commercial Bank + Samba Financial Group merger; ~75M customers) + [Al Rajhi Bank](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/al-rajhi-bank) (Al Rajhi Bank; Tadawul: 1120; Saudi Arabia's largest Islamic bank by assets) + [Riyad Bank + Riyad Mobile](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/riyad-bank) (Riyad Bank; Tadawul: 1010; one of the five largest Saudi banks by deposits) + [Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF Mobile)](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/banque-saudi-fransi) (Banque Saudi Fransi; Tadawul: 1050; Saudi commercial bank; Crédit Agricole French parent ~14.99% strategic investor) + [Alinma Bank](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/alinma) (Alinma Bank; Tadawul: 1150; Saudi Islamic banking) + [STC Pay](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/stc-pay) (STC Pay; Saudi Telecom Company STC subsidiary; Western Union strategic partnership; Saudi Arabia's largest mobile wallet by users) + [Bank Albilad (Albilad App)](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/bank-albilad) (Bank Albilad; Tadawul: 1140; Saudi Islamic banking) + [Bank Aljazira (Saudi Arabia)](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/bank-aljazira) (Bank Aljazira; Tadawul: 1020; Saudi Islamic banking) + [Saudi Investment Bank](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/saudi-investment-bank) (Saudi Investment Bank; Tadawul: 1030; Saudi commercial bank).

**Regulator**: SAMA.

## Fun facts

- **Saudi Arabian commercial bank** (Saudi Awwal Bank; Tadawul: 1060; HSBC Holdings ~31% strategic investor).
- **Post-Jun 16 2019 SABB Saudi British Bank + Alawwal Bank merger** distinctive Saudi banking consolidation heritage.
- **One of the five largest Saudi banks by deposits** distinctive Saudi banking sector ranking.
- **HSBC Holdings ~31% strategic investor** distinctive HSBC-Saudi banking strategic alliance.
- **85% digital adoption in wealth and personal banking** distinctive Saudi digital banking adoption.
- **103 branches + 4,062 employees Apr 2025 + 1 London branch** distinctive Saudi banking branch + international presence.
- **#11 Forbes Middle East 30 Most Valuable Banks 2025** distinctive Saudi banking Middle East ranking.
- **SAB Mobile digital banking application** distinctive Saudi mobile banking strategy.

## Comparison

| Feature | SAB | [Saudi National Bank (SNB)](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/saudi-national-bank) (Saudi National Bank SNB rival; Saudi Arabia's largest commercial bank by assets) | [Al Rajhi Bank](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/al-rajhi-bank) (Al Rajhi Bank rival; Saudi Arabia's largest Islamic bank by assets) | [Riyad Bank + Riyad Mobile](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/riyad-bank) (Riyad Bank rival; one of the five largest Saudi banks by deposits) | [Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF Mobile)](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/banque-saudi-fransi) (Banque Saudi Fransi rival; Crédit Agricole French parent ~14.99% strategic investor) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | **Saudi Awwal Bank (Tadawul: 1060; Saudi Arabian commercial bank post-Jun 16 2019 SABB Saudi British Bank + Alawwal Bank merger; HSBC Holdings ~31% strategic investor)** | Saudi National Bank (Tadawul: 1180; Saudi Arabia's largest commercial bank by assets post-Apr 1 2021 NCB + Samba merger) | Al Rajhi Bank (Tadawul: 1120; Saudi Arabia's largest Islamic bank by assets) | Riyad Bank (Tadawul: 1010; Saudi commercial bank) | Banque Saudi Fransi (Tadawul: 1050; Saudi commercial bank; Crédit Agricole French parent ~14.99% strategic investor) |
| Type | **Saudi Arabian commercial bank + HSBC Holdings ~31% strategic investor + 85% digital adoption in wealth and personal banking + 103 branches + 4,062 employees Apr 2025 + 1 London branch + #11 Forbes Middle East 30 Most Valuable Banks 2025** | Saudi Arabia's largest commercial bank by assets post-Apr 1 2021 NCB National Commercial Bank + Samba Financial Group merger + ~75M customers | Saudi Arabia's largest Islamic bank by assets | One of the five largest Saudi banks by deposits | Saudi commercial bank + Crédit Agricole French parent ~14.99% strategic investor |
| Country | SA + GB | SA + GB + AE + TR + KR + LB + PK | SA + JO + KW + MY | SA + GB + SG + US + CN | SA |
| Distinctive | **1950 The British Bank of the Middle East (HSBC predecessor) starts Saudi operations; 1978 Saudi British Bank (SABB) founded as joint venture of HSBC + Saudi shareholders; 1926 Saudi Hollandi Bank (later Alawwal) founding; Jun 16 2019 SABB + Alawwal Bank legal merger → Saudi Awwal Bank; 2014 SAB Mobile digital banking application launch; 2025 85% digital adoption in wealth and personal banking + #11 Forbes Middle East 30 Most Valuable Banks 2025** | 1953 National Commercial Bank founding (Saudi Arabia's first bank); Apr 1 2021 NCB + Samba Financial Group merger → Saudi National Bank | 1957 Al Rajhi Bank founding by Al Rajhi family | 1957 Riyad Bank founding | 1977 Banque Saudi Fransi founding as joint venture of Crédit Agricole + Saudi shareholders |

## Status

**Active, Saudi Arabian commercial bank post-Jun 16 2019 SABB Saudi British Bank + Alawwal Bank merger + HSBC Holdings ~31% strategic investor + 85% digital adoption in wealth and personal banking + #11 Forbes Middle East 30 Most Valuable Banks 2025** <sup>[1][1], [2][2], [3][3]</sup>:
- **Saudi Awwal Bank (Tadawul: 1060; Saudi Arabian commercial bank post-Jun 16 2019 SABB Saudi British Bank + Alawwal Bank merger; HSBC Holdings ~31% strategic investor)** since 1950 The British Bank of the Middle East (HSBC predecessor) starts Saudi operations + 1978 Saudi British Bank (SABB) founded as joint venture of HSBC + Saudi shareholders + 1926 Saudi Hollandi Bank (later Alawwal) founding + Jun 16 2019 SABB + Alawwal Bank legal merger → Saudi Awwal Bank + 2014 SAB Mobile digital banking application launch.
- **SAB 85% digital adoption in wealth and personal banking + 103 branches + 4,062 employees Apr 2025 + 1 London branch**.
- **#11 Forbes Middle East 30 Most Valuable Banks 2025**.
- **SAMA regulated**.

## Sources

[1]: https://www.sab.com/en/about-us/about-us/ "About SAB — SAB"
[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Awwal_Bank "Saudi Awwal Bank — Wikipedia"
[3]: https://matrixbcg.com/blogs/how-it-works/sab "How Does Saudi British Bank Company Work? — MatrixBCG"
[sa-cro]: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/SA

- [1] [About SAB — SAB][1]
- [2] [Saudi Awwal Bank — Wikipedia][2]
- [3] [How Does Saudi British Bank Company Work? — MatrixBCG][3]
- <sup>[Saudi Arabia report](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/SA)</sup> In-corpus: `reports/countries/SA-saudi-arabia.md`

## Source

Biography extracted from [saudi-awwal-bank.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/source/wallets/saudi-awwal-bank). See `matrix.md` for standards-support matrix if present.