Further to the Central Bank Circular No. BCP/214 dated 25/4/1416 H regarding the Central Bank's observations made by many banks, as well as Central Bank Circular No. (485/BC/36) dated 07/01/1416 H attached to the Security Safety Manual, the Central Bank reiterates that all these instructions must be adhered to, namely:

1-The bank must apply the security safety requirements included in the above-mentioned guide to new branches, offices or ATMs and provide the Central Bank with a certificate from the security consultant proving this.
2-No bank may open new branches, offices or ATMs in any region of the Kingdom without obtaining an official license from the Central Bank.
3-Once the bank obtains a license from the Central Bank to open a branch or install an ATM, it may not be moved from one place to another without obtaining written approval from the Central Bank, whether the branch is operational or non-operational or the ATM is operational or non-operational.

4-When the bank obtains the Central Bank's approval to open a branch in any location, the installation of an ATM machine in the branch is subordinate to the branch license and there is no need to obtain a separate license for the machine, but the Central Bank is informed of this.
5-It is not permissible to merge an independent ATM license (outside the branch premises) with any branch, whether operational or non-operational.
6-The duration of the license is nine months from the date of issuing the approval and the bank must follow up to complete the opening within this period, and if it is not possible to open within this period, the bank must inform the Central Bank of the reasons that led to this before the termination of the license period.

7-Licenses for non-operational branches are extended every six months to allow the bank to prepare the location.

8-At the end of every six months, the bank must provide the Central Bank with a report that includes its position in terms of opening branches or installing ATMs.
9-When requesting approval to open a branch or install an ATM, each bank must attach the following data

•  A feasibility study of opening a branch or installing an ATM.
•  A diagram showing the exact location of the requested branch or the exact location of the ATM.

10-The Central Bank must be informed of the actual opening date of the branch and its commencement of work or the date of operation of the machine.