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  • 6. Risk Management and Operational Capabilities

    • 6.1 Lending Bank

      7.A bank that wishes to participate in an IPO as a Lending Bank shall apply, as a minimum, the following:
       
       a.The policy and procedures related to the financing of Securities shall be documented and adequately cover all the main risks that the bank may be exposed to.
       
       b.Adhere to credit policies approved by the bank, and limit the total Exposures in each IPO within an amount that does not exceed the bank's ability to meet its obligations on the settlement date.
       
       c.Follow the internal policies of guarantees, or any other related policies.
       
       d.Conduct a comprehensive analysis, prior to financing the purchase of Securities, that at least includes the potential impact on the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), Loan-to-Deposit Ratio (LDR), SAMA Liquidity Ratio, Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR), the Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR), Leverage Ratio, Large Exposure limits, and Exposures limits to Related Parties, taking into account the relevant instructions issued by SAMA.
       
      • 6.1.1 Lending Limits

        8.The Leverage Ratio for retail subscriptions shall not exceed 50% of the amount to be subscribed for each Retail Subscriber, with a maximum financing limit not exceeding 2 million Saudi Riyal.
         
        9.Both High-Net-Worth Subscribers and Legal Entities are excluded from Paragraph 8 above. However, the bank shall follow its approved credit standards, and limit the total Exposures to an amount within the risk appetite of the subscriber (credit lines).
         
        10.Banks shall not exceed the Exposures limits stipulated in the relevant instructions issued by SAMA.
         
    • 6.2 Receiving Bank

      11.A bank that wishes to participate in an IPO as a Receiving Bank shall apply, as a minimum, the following:
       
       a.Have a clear understanding of the respective role and responsibilities of the Receiving Bank and the Issuer of an IPO. This shall be clearly defined in the Receiving Bank agreement.
       
       b.Only undertake the role commensurate with its financial and operational capacity, and to conduct a thorough analysis in advance of the potential financial impact arising from an IPO.
       
      • 6.2.1 Operational Capabilities

        12.If a bank has not previously acted as a Receiving Bank in an IPO, or is wishing to act as a Receiving Bank in a large-scale IPO or a government offering, the bank shall notify SAMA in advance and, in particular, prove its financial and operational capacity to process the share applications in accordance with Paragraph 11-b above. It shall also prove its ability to manage the subscription amounts and recycle the application monies in the money market when needed.
         
        13.If a bank intends to act as a Receiving Bank in a large-scale IPO or Government Offering, it shall have sufficient experience and a track record in acting as a Receiving Bank.
         
        14.Banks shall give proper consideration to the number and readiness of branches or any other channels to be designated as channels for receiving subscription applications, and ensure the adequacy of arrangements to meet the expected demand of subscribers.
         
        15.The bank shall ensure that it is fully qualified and conversant with IPO process, while ensuring concentrating its resources and effecting its relevant policies. For large-scale IPOs or government offerings, the bank shall establish a temporary internal committee to coordinate the receipt of information on the subscription and escalate to senior management if necessary.
         
        16.In determining whether an IPO is of a large scale for the bank for the purposes of paragraphs 12, 13 and 15 above, the bank shall benchmark the scale of the IPO against its own financial capacity (capital base) by multiplying the expected share price by the number of shares to be issued and dividing the result by the bank’s Tier 1 regulatory capital. If the resulting percentage is equal to or greater than 100%, the IPO will be considered of large scale. Factors to be considered include the estimated value of subscription monies to be recycled, the general trends in the stock market during the IPO, and the expected level of demand from subscribers.
         
        17.The Receiving Bank shall agree in advance with the Issuer and approve a plan to deal with the high levels of demand for purchasing Securities in the IPO process. The plan must include - at least - the following considerations:
         
         a.Possibility of adding branches to receive subscription applications if needed, including making relevant announcements.
         
         b.Possibility of using another Receiving Bank to assist in receiving or processing applications.
         
         c.Possibility of extending working hours to receive applications, if possible.
         
         d.Arrangements for printing and distributing additional copies of subscription application forms and prospectuses, if needed.
         
         e.Arrangements to hire additional staff, if necessary.
         
        18.The Receiving Bank shall work closely with the Issuer during the IPO process to determine the need for contingency measures in accordance with the approved plan, as required.
         
      • 6.2.2 Liquidity Requirements

        19.Banks shall effectively manage its balance sheet and plan well in advance to ensure continuous compliance with the LDR, SAMA Liquidity Ratio, LCR, NSFR, and any other liquidity requirements required by SAMA.
         
        20.Banks shall review the collateral pledged with SAMA and their daytime limits to ensure they have sufficient collateral to cover large intraday transfers and liquidity needs during the IPO process.
         
        21.Banks shall take due diligence when recycling application monies in the money market, if needed. A Receiving Bank is encouraged to participate in the interbank lending, as needed.