SAMA sets holidays, work hours through 2029

SAMA outlines holiday, work-hour schedule for banks and payments system

Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) announced official holidays and working hours for financial institutions under its supervision, as well as for the Saudi Instant Payment System (Sarie), for the next four years.

In a statement received by Argaam, SAMA detailed the schedule of official holidays for financial institutions and Sarie, as shown in the tables below:

The central bank added that National Day will be observed on Sept. 23 each year, and Founding Day on Feb. 22. If either holiday falls on a Friday, the day off will shift to Thursday, and if it falls on a Saturday, it will move to Sunday.

During Ramadan, banks will operate from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while remittance centers and payment service providers will work six flexible hours from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Bank branches, exchange centers, payment service providers, and seasonal outlets in Hajj terminals in Jeddah and Madinah, the holy sites, and border crossings will remain open throughout the Hajj season, including Fridays and Saturdays, to serve pilgrims and visitors.

Banks and service providers are also required to open branches in densely populated and high-demand areas, as well as in airports and border crossings, during Eid holidays, and to publicly announce their operating hours.

Sarie will also operate from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with clearing houses aligned to the same schedule.