Financial Sector Assessment Program Update : Saudi Arabia - Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision

This assessment of Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency's (SAMA) compliance with the basel committee's core principles for effective banking supervision was conducted by a mission to Saudi Arabia during April 9-20, 2011. The assessment was carried out as part of a Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) update undertaken by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank at the request of the Saudi authorities. The authorities requested that the assessment of compliance be conducted using only the essential criteria in the methodology. This assessment was based on a review of laws, regulations, policies and practices in place at the time. The financial system is subject to risks reflecting the openness of the economy and dependence on the hydrocarbon sector, as well as the size of the market. Saudi Arabia implements International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for banks and insurance companies and is served by the major accounting firms. There has been no need to provide emergency liquidity assistance (ELA) to any bank in recent years. The conditions in which SAMA will provide ELA would be determined on a case-by-case basis, as will the terms on which such ELA will be provided.