Following the successful merger and integration of SABB and Alawwal Bank, SABB is now SAB – الأول and will operate as Saudi Awwal Bank

 This rebranding marks the successful completion of the new identity of the merged
bank – SAB – األول.
 Incorporating into our name ‘Alawwal’, which means first in Arabic, reflects a long
history as a pioneer and innovator, a history that goes back to 1926.
 SAB – األول will remain an innovator at the forefront of the financial services industry in
the Kingdom, leveraging its pioneering roots in the Kingdom and its historic and very
successful partnership with HSBC Group.

RIYADH – Gulf Tech –

Saudi British Bank (SABB) announced today that it has
renamed itself to become SAB – الأول ,the new name and identity of the bank comes two years
after the successful, historic merger and integration of SABB and Alawwal Bank – a process that
took 18 months, during which the merged entity continued operating as ‘Saudi British Bank.’
Following final regulatory and shareholders’ approvals, SAB – الأول will operate as ‘Saudi Awwal
Bank.’
Lubna Olayan, Chair, SAB – الأول ,said: “From our position of strength, I am confident that we will
now continue to grow and thrive as SAB – الأول – Saudi Awwal Bank, and build a brighter future
for our customers, our employees, and the Kingdom. Our position of strength comes from the
unique combination of two innovative financial institutions that have supported the growth of
the Kingdom’s economy from its inception, benefiting from the almost 100-year history of
Alawwal Bank and its predecessors doing business here and the dedicated support that SABB has
had from HSBC Group over 45 years, from which SAB – األول will continue to benefit. This
rebranding is not just a change in our name and visual identity, but a strong reaffirmation of our
dedication to putting our customers first by prioritizing their aspirations and ambitions, to
innovating and promoting sustainability in all we do and to supporting Vision 2030 and key
sectors of the Saudi economy.”
“Our new name reflects our commitment to creating one of the most modern and forward-
thinking banks globally, a bank that supports future thinking and confidence in Saudi Vision
2030,” said Tony Cripps, CEO, SAB – الأول .
“Our new name also reflects our rich history. ‘Alawwal’ means ‘first’ in Arabic, and its
incorporation into our new identity reflects a long history as a pioneer and innovator, a history
that goes back to 1926, when Alawwal’s predecessor became the first bank to operate on the
territory that would a few years later become the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. And as the Kingdom
and its economy grew, we were there to support its development –with the firstfinancing of car
importations in the 1930s, the first launching of credit cards 1980s, the first Saudi Equity Fund in
2001, and the first Green Deposit in 2022, along with a commitment to plant 1 million trees, all

in furtherance of our ESG aspirations.Just as we played a pivotal role throughout these past 97
years, today we are charting a vibrant future for an ambitious and visionary Kingdom. As we do
that, SAB- الأول will continue to put customers first and operate in accordance with the same high
quality standards our customers have come to expect from us, always striving to be the bank of
first choice, one that can solve both the challenges we face today and those we will face
tomorrow.”