Banking & Financial Services

Banking & Financial Services — Sector Legal Services

Legal advisory for banks and financing companies operating in the Eastern Province.

Image: a bank building or branch
The banking and financial services sector is subject to strict SAMA oversight, requiring financing contracts and precise compliance. If your business is a bank or finance company, the next step is reaching out on WhatsApp.

An Established Banking Sector Under Strict Saudi Central Bank Oversight

Banks and finance companies in the Kingdom operate under one of the region's strictest regulatory frameworks, with the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) imposing precise capital, liquidity, and customer protection requirements. This tightly regulated environment means any dispute or new banking product needs legal understanding balancing customer interest with banking compliance requirements.

Credit Facility Contracts

We review and draft credit facility contracts of every type, from commercial loans to letters of guarantee and import credits, ensuring clarity in collateral clauses, default interest, and the bank's rights upon default.

Compliance With SAMA Regulations

We help finance companies structure their products in line with applicable SAMA regulations, including minimum capital requirements, capital adequacy ratios, and customer fund protection standards.

Customer Disputes With Banks

We handle customer disputes with banks and finance companies, a recurring matter for industrial businesses managing complex financing, particularly over interest calculation or service fees not clearly agreed upon in advance.

Debt Restructuring for Struggling Businesses

We help businesses facing difficulty meeting their banking obligations negotiate with banks to restructure debt, within the framework of the Saudi Bankruptcy Law that protects the chance for continued operations where possible.

Letters of Guarantee and Documentary Credits

We review bank letters of guarantee and documentary credits used in major commercial deals, and help clients understand their activation terms and avoid arbitrary forfeiture when a commercial dispute arises.

Mergers and Acquisitions Among Financial Institutions

We help financial institutions wishing to merge or acquire understand SAMA's prior approval requirements, complex procedures requiring precise coordination among several regulatory bodies.

Crowdfunding and Alternative Investment Platforms

We help emerging crowdfunding platforms understand their specific licensing before SAMA, a regulatory classification separate from traditional bank financing carrying its own individual investor protection requirements.

Cybersecurity in the Banking Sector

We help banks and finance companies understand cybersecurity requirements SAMA imposes, requirements significantly tightened in recent years given growing digital threats to the financial sector overall.

How We Start With You

Send us the details of the banking contract or the dispute you are facing on WhatsApp. We help you understand your position precisely, whether you are a bank, a finance company, or a customer facing a dispute with either.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bank rejected our debt restructuring request despite our genuine financial hardship. What are our options?

We help you present a documented restructuring proposal demonstrating your economic viability, and explore Saudi Bankruptcy Law options if direct negotiation fails.

Our bank letter of guarantee was forfeited without sufficient notice. Is that legal?

We review the letter's terms and the stated grounds for forfeiture, and if unjustified, pursue a formal claim to recover the amount or compensation.

Our bank is planning to merge with another financial institution. What SAMA approvals are required?

We help you prepare the prior approval file SAMA requires, a procedure requiring precise documentation of the merger's impact on the market and customers.

A customer demands a refund of a service fee they never explicitly agreed to. What is our position?

We review the signed account or financing terms; if they don't include clear consent to the fee, we help you assess your position against any complaint.

Can a bank raise the interest rate on existing financing without our consent?

No, unless the original contract specifies a clear adjustment mechanism, and we review your contract to determine your actual rights in this situation.

A finance company is delayed in meeting capital adequacy requirements. What are the risks?

We help you understand the available regulatory grace periods and required corrective steps before it escalates to a SAMA regulatory action.

Need legal advice for your sector?

Reach out on WhatsApp to discuss your business's needs.

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