key social responsibility initiatives

Access to Finance

alrajhi bank is the largest Islamic Bank in the world, and claims ownership to the largest bank branch network in the Kingdom and the Middle East with 512 branches, 136 remittance centres, 4,371 automated teller machines (ATMs), and 786,252 Point-of-Sales (POS) terminals. This extensive network allows the bank to provide a wide range of financial services to the largest number of active customers in the Kingdom, with over 18.5 million active clients and counting.

alrajhi bank is committed to providing marginalised communities with access to finance. In doing so, the Bank has targeted lending programmes for low-income individuals, Saudi nationals and widows. In 2024, the Bank reached a cumulative of 22,651 individuals.

The rapid implementation and growth of digital services such as virtual and mobile banking by alrajhi bank have played a significant role in developing effective strategies of increasing financial services to the mass market as well as marginalised demographics. The bank continues to be a market leader in subsidising home ownership for Saudi Nationals, with a 41.1% mortgage market share. alrajhi’s overall efforts also positions the bank as a key enabler of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 targets.

In an effort to enhance financial inclusion, the bank has ensured that all branches are fully accessible to the physically challenged or persons with disabilities. This entails refitting ATMs with features such as voice prompt and sign language to enable the specially-abled, the visually and hearing impaired, persons with disabilities, and those who have mobility issues. Many branches provide special parking spaces for persons with disabilities, and are ready to accommodate these customers. In 2023, the bank upgraded the mobile application to show branch locations that provide services for persons with disabilities, including sign language interpreting services – a process that continues to be refined and upgraded.

The programs implemented by alrajhi bank are consistent with the Saudi Vision 2030 objective of enabling people with disabilities to lead productive lives and become integrated members of society.

In 2023, the bank further established its operations in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) space by launching the SME Business Unit to provide appropriate financial products and services in line with the Vision 2030 goal of enhancing the SME contribution to KSA’s GDP. The bank also provides services to micro businesses with its Micro and Small Business (MSB) Unit, encouraging an entrepreneurial culture in the Kingdom. More details on the bank’s SME and MSB services can be found in pages 63.

The constant advancement of core banking solutions and process automation and integration has also helped the growing customer base of alrajhi bank. The call centres and dedicated channels for SME and MSB clients have further strengthened the bank’s customer service advantage in the Kingdom.

alrajhi bank also meets the credit needs of consumer segments outside its core credit risk profile through Emkan Finance, a fintech subsidiary, and improves accessibility of microfinance requirements. Further information is provided in the Emkan Finance section (pages 82-84). The bank also provides banking facilities for the lower income labour sector, introducing foreign remittance account services to enable fund transfers to their families.

In the course of the reporting period, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Team in conjunction with the Marketing team embarked on several public service programs aimed at improving the financial literacy of the population across different categories. Key among these were an anti-fraud campaign for Hajj pilgrims, and the “Wise Banker” financial awareness workshop for students at Prince Sultan University.

Access to healthcare

alrajhi bank remained committed to its contributions to the healthcare sector, working with the Ministry of Health and independent Health Endowment Fund to improve the quality of healthcare facilities, treatments and availability of services. During the year, the bank supported a number of key projects and donated over SAR 100 Mn. for various initiatives, programs and events related to healthcare, thus continuing its mission of providing quality healthcare for every Saudi citizen.

Major healthcare initiatives carried out by the bank include:

• King Saud University Endowments in Riyadh: Donating SAR 70 Mn. to introduce healthcare facilities including main medical services for high-quality health services, outpatient clinics, specialised clinics, and a capacity of 100 beds, to be constructed and managed by InterHealth Medical Group
• alrajhi bank Medical Centre in Tarif: Supporting the establishment and equipping of building for a centre for medical and functional treatment, and specialised centre for smoking cessation within the campus of Tarif General Hospital at a cost of SAR 7.5 Mn. Following the completion of the construction process, operations were conducted under the supervision and follow-up of the Ministry of Health.
• alrajhi bank Cardiac Catheterisation Centre: Supporting the establishment and equipping of a Cardiac Catheterisation Centre at Al Rass General Hospital in Al Qassim region at a cost of SAR 10.1 Mn. The first phase of the project has been completed with the Centre, which includes a cardiology department and a cardiac catheterisation laboratory, currently being utilised; The Centre has been equipped with the latest technologies and the best medical staff, with the aim of reducing waiting times for appointments. The Centre has completed 100 Cardiac Catheterisation procedures to date.
• alrajhi bank Diabetes Centre in Qassim: Support for the establishment of an integrated centre for type 1 diabetes in Qassim at King Fahad Specialist Hospital in Buraidah. The construction phases are currently being completed. The centre will specialise in treating and following up on type 1 diabetes patients, contributing to reducing diabetes complications and providing accurate and integrated medical care.
• alrajhi bank Kidney Transplant Program: Al Habib Medical Group continues to perform kidney transplants for eligible patients referred from the Shifaa platform (a charitable organisation). A total of 77 operations have been performed so far out of 91 scheduled operations, with a total community investment of SAR 19 Mn.
• alrajhi bank Blood Donation Carts: Donation carts continue to receive donors in the cities of Riyadh and Medina, with the aim of supporting the blood bank at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, with the number of donors surpassing 4K.

Access to education

alrajhi bank contributes towards the national strategic Saudi ‘Vision 2030’ objectives of transforming the educational systems in Saudi Arabia, and creating a foundation that nurtures innovation by expanding educational opportunities. One of the most successful programmes is alrajhi bank’s ‘Educational Orphan Care Programme’. Now in its third year, the programme has grown into one of the largest educational and social initiatives in Saudi Arabia. alrajhi bank donates SAR 10 Mn. annually to the programme, which provides students with specialised university education to meet rapidly evolving labour market demand. The bank collaborates with the Adeid Association on this project, with the civil society organisation fully supervising the implementation and follow-up. At the close of the reporting period, over 200 students were registered across 28 private universities and 37 academic specialisations. The project enables these students to discover the best career paths to explore their full potential, and at the same time contribute towards the broader objective of achieving self-sufficiency in human capabilities as a society. alrajhi bank was honoured by the Ministerial Committee for Social Development Affairs of the Gulf Corporate Council, for contributing towards creating a positive impact for a vulnerable section of society.

In addition, alrajhi bank is the first Saudi bank to directly partner with the leading universities and schools to facilitate industry visitations to the bank. These visits provide indispensable insight to real-world working environments, and offer students an opportunity to interact and network with financial sector professionals, and learn more about the wide spectrum of career opportunities across the banking industry. At the close of 2024, the bank had hosted students from more than 12 schools including Al Almutagadimih High School, Alnamothajiah High School and Al Yamamah University, King Saud University, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU).

The bank also aligns with the Kingdom’s Human Capability Development Programme under Saudi Vision 2030, by onboarding best-in-class fresh graduates to the alrajhi Graduate Development Programme (GDP), the preferred internship programme for top graduates across the Kingdom. This annual programme trains and grooms this select group to meet the demanding pace of the bank’s operating environment, deploying them in junior and mid-level roles upon successful completion of the Programme (more details can be found on page 151 in ‘Cultivating a Future Forward Workforce’)

alrajhi bank remains a key contributor to the transformation of Saudia Arabia’s educational systems by focusing on providing educational opportunities for promising youth across the Kingdom.

alrajhi bank Jordan facilitated several awareness sessions on Islamic banking as well as Shariah-compliant alrajhi products to students across various Jordanian universities, to foster a sense of responsibility in personal financial management, and cultivate a saving mindset.

Other social opportunities

Aside from financial inclusion, healthcare, and education, alrajhi bank also focuses on other aspects of community development. Key CSR projects carried out across these verticals in 2024 include:

• Launching the “Quick Donation” service: Enabling customers to directly donate to over 1,700 accredited non-profit organisations and over 17 Endowment Funds through the alrajhi bank app.
• Classifying Endowment Funds: Identifying and classifying Endowment Funds and their activity within social responsibility projects.
• Continued contributions towards the Jood Eskan charitable housing platform.
• Hosting Iftar for children from SOS Villages in Amman, Jordan: alrajhi bank Jordan hosted Iftar for a total of 50 children from SOS Villages in Amman, with bank employees volunteering to join community members and officials to host the event. The celebration included fun activities and competitions, ending with the distribution of Eid clothes and gifts, spreading joy among children.
• Disseminating knowledge and promoting responsible financial management: alrajhi bank Jordan partnered with the Central Bank of Jordan to conduct eight training programs on Financial Management and Sustainable Pioneering for women in underserved areas (Al Shuna and Suwayma). Over 200 women participated in these programs between August and November 2024.
• Distributing meals during the holy month of Ramadan: Employees from alrajhi bank Kuwait volunteered to participate in the distribution of Iftar Meals across multiple communities during the holy month of Ramadan.
• Sahabat Korporat Tabung Haji Program Sponsorship: alrajhi bank Malaysia contributed to the Hajj season via Tabung Haji during the reporting period. As part of the corporate sponsorship package, the overseas branch co-sponsored Tabung Haji’s 10-episode television program, Seruan Haji, which aired on local station RTM TV1.
• Ramadan Relief Programme organised by Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM): alrajhi bank Malaysia participated in the Kempen Seorang Sekampit Beras Programme for the fourth year running during the reporting period. An industry-wide initiative, all Islamic banks collectively contribute to low income B40 and asnaf families during the holy month of Ramadan.
• Ramadan Bubur Lambuk Community Cookout, Malaysia: alrajhi bank Malaysia provided financial assistance to university students through this Ramadan initiative, particularly those in the asnaf category. The Community Cookout benefitted around 1000 recipients, with employees of the overseas branch volunteering for the project.
• Ramadan Iftar Pack Contribution to Students of University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur: An initiative to assist university students, particularly from asnaf category. Hosted in collaboration with PPZ-MAIWP, the event targeted 800 students with volunteers comprising alrajhi bank Malaysia staff and PPZ employees.
• Charitable Ramadan Contribution to Masjid Ibnu Mas’ud: alrajhi bank Malaysia offered monetary contributions to Masjid Ibnu Mas’ud in Kuala Lumpur for its Ramadan program.
• ARBM Qurban Programme: The Malaysian branch of alrajhi bank continued the Islamic tradition of qurban in conjunction with Aidiladha. During the reporting period, ARBM collaborated with EZ Qurban, Universiti Putra Malaysia, and IKIM to allow ARBM Muslim employees to participate in qurban. ARBM employees contributed five cattle, the meat of which was distributed to underprivileged families and individuals.
• Helping Hands Hopeful Hearts 2024: alrajhi bank Malaysia continued to donate to this impactful initiative during the year in review, helping to refurbish the “Nur Kasih Therapy Garden” for autistic children at Sekolah Kebangsaan Desa Tasik, Kuala Lumpur.
• The Zakat and Waqf Run 2024: alrajhi bank Malaysia contributed MYR 200k to the underprivileged in conjunction with the Zakat & Waqf Run 2024, held in December 2024.

With its slogan “Right and Duty”, alrajhi bank encourages employee participation in community activities, and to promote a culture of volunteerism that stems from its founding Sharia values, the bank informs its employees on its policy in place for availing ‘Volunteer Leave’. While improving employee morale and soft skills, such community engagement opportunities enrich relationships between the bank and the communities which it serves. Through the program, the bank also improves the image as an organisation that cares for the community, thereby improving its ability to attract and retain employees.