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Providing Backup Generators in Branches and Money Transfer Centers

No: 42069605 Date(g): 18/5/2021 | Date(h): 7/10/1442

Translated Document

Effective from Jan 01 2022 - Dec 31 2021
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Further to SAMA Circular No. 381000058504 dated 1/6/1438H, in which conveyed the Business Continuity Management Framework in the banking sector, and based on SAMA's supervisory and regulatory role in striving to maintain the continuity of banking operations and mitigate potential disaster risks and business interruptions faced by the banking sector.

I would like to inform you that local banks must implement the necessary precautionary measures to ensure the continuity of branch services by finding alternative solutions and plans in the event of a power outage by the service provider – God forbid-. SAMA also hopes that efforts will continue to ensure the continuity of banking operations by providing backup generators for branches and main operating centers in various regions of the Kingdom, based on the bank's assessment, and to ensure service delivery to customers as required, This includes verifying the operability and capacity of backup generators, conducting necessary tests and routine maintenance to ensure the backup generator is ready to operate in case of any power outage by the service provider, Additionally, coordination with the Saudi Electricity Company is essential to include the main and backup data centers and the bank's headquarters on a priority list and to explore possible options with the company to provide full support and reduce the impact of scheduled and unscheduled power outages, ensuring a swift return to operations without affecting banking services.

Please take note and act accordingly from 1/1/2022, and provide SAMA within three months from this date with a list of branches that will be equipped with backup generators, along with the designated timeline for this plan, ensuring it does not exceed the targeted date mentioned above.