SAMA Rules on Management of Problem Loans and Bancassurance Activities

Rules and Guidelines on Management of Problem Loans—The rules are applicable for all banks licensed under Banking Control Law. SAMA rules include requirements on the early prevention and identification of problem loans where banks should develop a clear, robust, and demonstrable set of policies, procedures, tools, and governance around the establishment of early warning signals, which are fully integrated into banks’ risk management systems. The objectives of the rules are to ensure that banks

• Put in place a conceptual framework, which would facilitate rehabilitation of viable borrower, thereby supporting economic activity
• Look into aspects of customer conduct and fair treatment whilst dealing with problem loans, especially in instances involving the micro, small and medium enterprises
• Have adequate controls over nonperforming and problem loan management and restructuring processes, including documented policies and procedures

Draft Rules Governing Bancassurance Activities—The objective of these rules is to regulate bancassurance activities and practices in Saudi Arabia and the associated relationship between the insurance company and the bank. The key topics covered in the draft rules are related to requirements for practicing bancassurance activities, bank and insurance company's obligations, rules of professional conduct, agreement termination procedure, and consequences of non-compliance. The rules require that the bancassurance activities shall be practiced directly through the bank. The contractual relationship between the insurance company and the bank (in the context of conducting bancassurance activities) shall not include insurance agency, insurance brokerage, insurance advisory, or any insurance-related profession, but merely establishing a channel for marketing and distribution. 

Sharia Governance Framework for Banks—This framework aims to enhance the environment for compliance with the legal provisions and principles of banks. It also aims to define the tasks and responsibilities of the Board of Directors, the executive management, the Sharia committee, compliance management, risk management, and the internal audit department, regarding implementation of the requirements of this framework.

Related Links

• Summary of Rules and Guidelines on Management of Problem Loans (PDF)
• Rules on Management of Problem Loans (PDF)
• Guidelines on Management of Problem Loans (PDF)
• Consultation on Rules Governing Bancassurance Activities
• Sharia Governance Framework for Banks (PDF in Arabic)

Keywords: Middle East and Africa, Saudi Arabia, Banking, Insurance, NPLs, Governance, Bancassurance Activity, Sharia Governance, Islamic Banking, SAMA