SAMA Regulates BNPL Providers
The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has established regulations to oversee buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) firms, enhancing its financial sector supervision, particularly in financial technology.
BNPL services allow consumers to pay for goods and services over time instead of all at once. SAMA's new guidelines set licensing standards, operational procedures, and minimum practices, balancing industry growth with consumer protection.
Key provisions include licensing requirements, organizational policies, information security, financial crime prevention, and measures safeguarding customer interests, like activity and credit limits. Companies must comply with audit, data management, compliance, and Saudi workforce localization of at least 50%, scaling to 75% over time.
A BNPL license lasts five years, with a renewal process initiated three months before expiration. Fees for issuance, renewal, or amendment are set, alongside a SR5 million minimum capital requirement, adjustable by SAMA.
Companies must retain customer records for a decade after concluding relationships and obtain SAMA's approval before hiring non-Saudi employees in regulatory roles if local talent is unavailable.
BNPL firms must assess customer creditworthiness, avoiding any hidden fees and monitoring retailer compliance. No additional fees are permitted except for late payment charges, following individual customer collection policies. Introducing new products or services requires SAMA's prior written consent.
Services are limited to adults over 18 Hijri years and residents in Saudi Arabia, with transactions exclusively in Saudi riyals unless otherwise authorized by SAMA.
Outstanding financing per customer is capped at SR5000, with a maximum of 12 installments, solely through electronic payments. The company's total financing cannot exceed 20 times its capital and reserves without SAMA's consent, and borrowing from non-licensed entities requires approval.
Non-compliance with these rules breaches financing company regulations, with the requirement for implementation 30 days after publication on the SAMA website.
Key provisions include licensing requirements, organizational policies, information security, financial crime prevention, and measures safeguarding customer interests, like activity and credit limits. Companies must comply with audit, data management, compliance, and Saudi workforce localization of at least 50%, scaling to 75% over time.
A BNPL license lasts five years, with a renewal process initiated three months before expiration. Fees for issuance, renewal, or amendment are set, alongside a SR5 million minimum capital requirement, adjustable by SAMA.
Companies must retain customer records for a decade after concluding relationships and obtain SAMA's approval before hiring non-Saudi employees in regulatory roles if local talent is unavailable.
BNPL firms must assess customer creditworthiness, avoiding any hidden fees and monitoring retailer compliance. No additional fees are permitted except for late payment charges, following individual customer collection policies. Introducing new products or services requires SAMA's prior written consent.
Services are limited to adults over 18 Hijri years and residents in Saudi Arabia, with transactions exclusively in Saudi riyals unless otherwise authorized by SAMA.
Outstanding financing per customer is capped at SR5000, with a maximum of 12 installments, solely through electronic payments. The company's total financing cannot exceed 20 times its capital and reserves without SAMA's consent, and borrowing from non-licensed entities requires approval.
Non-compliance with these rules breaches financing company regulations, with the requirement for implementation 30 days after publication on the SAMA website.
