In line with the role played by local banks in providing cash through ATMs, and in SAMA's commitment to enhancing the efficiency of cash utilization and meeting the local market's demand for various denominations of banknotes, as well as ensuring a balanced distribution of these denominations to facilitate commercial transactions based on the locations of ATMs, their actual withdrawal rates, and their replenishment schedules, SAMA has conducted a study to redistribute banknote denominations for ATM withdrawals in a manner that meets the needs of both beneficiaries and banks.

The study concluded that the distribution of banknote denominations should be as follows:

First: Banknote denominations for withdrawal transactions should be distributed according to the attached distribution table (Type A) for no less than 10% of the bank's total ATMs. This is intended to cover ATMs with withdrawal rates of less than SAR 2,500 per transaction on a monthly basis.

Second: According to the (Type A) distribution, withdrawals should be in multiples of SAR 50, with a maximum withdrawal limit of SAR 2,500 per transaction, as indicated by the ATM's operational metrics.

Third: Cash denominations should be distributed according to distribution table (Type B) in the rest of the ATMs according to the bank's assessment, provided that withdrawals should be in multiples of 100 riyals and that the maximum limit for each withdrawal should not exceed 5,000 riyals according to the ATM's operational metrics.
Fourth: Banks issuing Saudi Network cards should consider amending the ATM rules to comply with the distribution of (Type A) categories while granting authorization to the host bank for the disbursement process.
Fifth: Banks shall take into account, in the manner they deem appropriate, the selection of what distinguishes (Type A) devices from (Type B) devices.

Therefore, SAMA hopes that all banks, before adopting the above proposal, will provide us with their views by having a representative of the bank attend the meeting of SAMA's Treasury and Issuance Department, which will be held on Sunday 27/06/1424H corresponding to 24/08/2003G at SAMA's head office building.

Type A

Type B

Current