Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency

Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA), the central bank of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was established in 1952. SAMA has been playing a crucial role in the consolidation and development of the Saudi financial system . At the time of its establishment, the Kingdom did not have a monetary system exclusively of its own. Foreign currencies circulated in the Kingdom as a medium of exchange, along with Saudi silver coins. Saudi bank notes had not yet been issued.  There was no Saudi bank in existence and the banking business was being conducted by foreign bank branches. One of the foremost tasks of SAMA in its early stage was, therefore, the development of a Saudi currency. 

SAMA also paid special attention  to the need for promoting the growth of a national banking system. From 1960 to 1972, SAMA focused on banking regulations against the background of expanding banking business and the Kingdom’s acceptance of full convertibility of the Riyal in March 1961 in accordance with the Article VIII of the Articles of Agreements of the IMF. From 1973 to 1982, SAMA’s preoccupation was to contain inflationary pressures in the booming economy, expansion of the banking system  and manage the massive foreign exchange reserves. From mid 1980s, SAMA’s priorities have been to introduce financial market reforms and advise the government in managing public debt. Over the years, with the growth of the economy and expansion of the financial system, SAMA’s responsibilities have increased several folds.