TRADITIONAL BANKS KA MUQABLA
(Al Rajhi vs SNB vs Riyad Bank)
| COMPARISON CRITERIA | AL RAJHI BANK | SNB (Saudi National Bank) | RIYAD BANK | ROUND 1 WINNER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded / Size | 1957. Largest Islamic Bank in the world. | 1953. Largest bank by capital in KSA. | 1957. 4th largest in KSA. | Al Rajhi (Global Islamic leader) |
| Total Branches | 500+ branches across KSA | 400+ branches | 340+ branches | Al Rajhi (Most accessible) |
| Total ATMs | 4,900+ ATMs (Largest network) | 3,500+ ATMs | 2,700+ ATMs | Al Rajhi (Widest ATM coverage) |
| Best For? | Everyday banking, salary, remittances via branch | Corporate employees, premium banking, loans | Multi-currency, English-friendly app | Al Rajhi (All-rounder) |
| Account Opening (2026) | Absher/Nafath + Branch. Iqama + National Address + Passport. Sometimes Employer Letter. | Absher/Nafath + Branch. Iqama + Salary Letter (strict). NOC sometimes required. | Absher/Nafath + Branch. Iqama + National Address. Relatively easy. | Al Rajhi (Least strict docs) |
| Opening Time | 1–3 days (digital start + branch verify) | 2–5 days (more paperwork) | 1–3 days | Al Rajhi (Faster) |
| Minimum Balance | Salary transfer preferred to waive fees. No strict minimum for basic. | Tiered system (Gold/Platinum). Higher balance = better perks. | Flexible. Low minimum for basic accounts. | Riyad Bank (Most flexible) |
| App Quality (Rating) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent. Very smooth, fast, full features. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good. Feature-rich but can be complex/glitchy. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good. Clean English interface, multi-currency support. | Al Rajhi (Best traditional app) |
| International Transfer Fee | ~50 SAR per transfer (Standard electronic, Feb 2026 update) | ~55 SAR per transfer (Standard) | ~45–55 SAR per transfer | Riyad Bank (Slightly cheaper sometimes) |
| Local Transfer (SARIE/IPS) | 7–25 SAR (online cheaper than branch) | 7–25 SAR | 7–25 SAR | TIE (SAMA regulates all) |
| Mada Debit Card | Free (SAMA mandate). Replacement ~25 SAR. | Free issuance. Replacement ~30 SAR. | Free issuance. Self-service card from app. | TIE (All free under SAMA) |
| GCC ATM Withdrawal Fee | ~10 SAR per transaction | ~10 SAR | ~10 SAR | TIE |
| Salary Account Integration | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Most employers in KSA prefer Al Rajhi. WPS integrated. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Top choice for corporate/government employees. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good but less employer preference vs top 2. | TIE (Al Rajhi & SNB both top) |
| Loan/Finance for Expats | Available. Personal finance for expats with salary transfer. | Available. Special expat finance offers (active Feb 2026). | Available but fewer dedicated expat offers. | SNB (Dedicated expat finance page active) |
| Sharia Compliant | ✅ 100% Islamic | ✅ 100% Islamic | ✅ 100% Islamic | TIE (All are) |
| English Support | ✅ Full English app, website, call center | ✅ Full English support | ✅ Strong English app & support | TIE |
| Sadad / Govt Payments | ✅ Excellent integration | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Good | TIE |
| SAMA 25 Free Services | ✅ All 25 implemented | ✅ All 25 implemented | ✅ All 25 implemented | TIE (SAMA mandate for all) |
| Expat Special Services | After-arrival package (Iqama + address = account). Dedicated page. | Special expat finance offers page (active). Premium tiers. | Multi-currency sub-accounts (good for diverse expats). | Al Rajhi (Best onboarding journey) |
| Customer Base | Largest retail customer base in KSA | Largest by assets/capital | Smaller but loyal base | Al Rajhi (Most customers) |
| Overall Trust/Reputation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #1 trusted by expats | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #1 trusted by corporates | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reliable, less famous | Al Rajhi (Expat favorite) |
🏆 TABLE 1 VERDICT:
🥇 TRADITIONAL WINNER: AL RAJHI BANK
Reasons: Sabse zyada branches (500+), sabse zyada ATMs (4,900+), best app, employer preference, easy account opening, dedicated expat after-arrival page. SNB close second (especially for loans/corporate), Riyad Bank honorable mention (multi-currency).
DIGITAL BANKS KA MUQABLA
(D360 vs STC Bank vs Barq)
| COMPARISON CRITERIA | D360 BANK | STC BANK | BARQ | ROUND 2 WINNER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | First full Saudi digital bank (SAMA licensed) | Digital bank (STC Group backed, SAMA licensed) | Digital bank / Fintech (SAMA licensed) | — |
| Launched | 2023 (Derayah Financial backing) | 2021 (STC Pay evolved) | 2023–2024 | STC Bank (Most established) |
| Total Customers (2026) | 1 Million+ | 3 Million+ (Largest digital) | Growing fast (exact undisclosed) | STC Bank (3x more users) |
| Physical Branches | ❌ Zero | ❌ Zero | ❌ Zero | TIE (None have branches) |
| ATM Access | Via any Mada ATM network | Via any Mada ATM network | Via any Mada ATM network | TIE (All use shared Mada) |
| Best For? | International transfers, savings, zero-fee banking | Local payments, wallet, lifestyle ecosystem | Remittances, cashback rewards | D360 (Pure banking focus) |
| Account Opening (2026) | 100% App-based. Absher/Nafath. Iqama or Visitor ID. Zero paperwork. | 100% App-based. Absher/Nafath. Instant if existing STC Pay user. | 100% App-based. Absher/Nafath. Quick process. | STC Bank (Instant for STC users) |
| Opening Time | 5–10 minutes | 2–5 minutes (if STC Pay exists) | 5–15 minutes | STC Bank (Fastest) |
| Minimum Balance | 0 SAR (Zero) | 0 SAR (Zero) | 0 SAR (Zero) | TIE (All zero) |
| Minimum Salary Requirement | 0 SAR (No salary needed) | 0 SAR | 0 SAR | TIE (All zero) |
| App Quality (Rating) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Modern, clean, spending analytics, budgeting tools | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Super simple, fast, lifestyle integrated | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good, improving, cashback focused | TIE (D360 & STC both excellent) |
| International Transfer Fee | Often 0 SAR or very low. Best exchange rates among all banks. | Competitive but sometimes tiered. Slightly higher than D360. | Low fees, cashback on transfers. Good rates. | D360 (Cheapest intl transfers) |
| Exchange Rate Markup | Very low (near mid-market rate) | Moderate (slight markup) | Low to moderate | D360 (Best rates) |
| International Card Fees | 0% in some cases (no foreign transaction fee on select plans) | Small FX fee on intl purchases | Low fees, cashback offsets cost | D360 (Zero intl card fees possible) |
| Local Transfers | Free (within D360) / Standard SARIE rates | Free (within STC ecosystem) / Standard SARIE | Free internal / Standard SARIE | TIE |
| Mada Debit Card | ✅ Free (Physical + Virtual) | ✅ Free (Physical + Virtual) | ✅ Free (Physical + Virtual) | TIE |
| Cashback / Rewards | Savings-focused. Competitive profit rates on deposits. | Points system, STC ecosystem rewards | Strong cashback on purchases & remittances | Barq (Best cashback program) |
| Savings / Deposit Profit | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Competitive Murabaha profit rates | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Available but not primary focus | ⭐⭐⭐ Basic savings features | D360 (Best savings returns) |
| Visitor ID Banking | ✅ Accepted (late 2025 SAMA rule) | ✅ Accepted. Targets tourists actively. | ✅ Accepted | STC Bank (Most tourist-friendly) |
| Ecosystem Integration | Standalone banking app | Integrated with STC Pay, STC services, merchant payments | Standalone with fintech partners | STC Bank (Biggest ecosystem) |
| Loan/Finance for Expats | Limited (new bank, growing) | Available. Personal financing for eligible expats. | Limited | STC Bank (More mature offerings) |
| Sharia Compliant | ✅ 100% Islamic | ✅ 100% Islamic | ✅ 100% Islamic | TIE |
| English Support | ✅ Full English | ✅ Full English | ✅ Full English | TIE |
| SAMA 25 Free Services | ✅ All 25 + additional free perks | ✅ All 25 + ecosystem perks | ✅ All 25 implemented | TIE |
| Customer Support | Chat + Phone (No branch) | Chat + Phone + STC stores (advantage!) | Chat + Phone only | STC Bank (STC stores = pseudo branches) |
| Security / Backing | Derayah Financial + SAMA regulated. SADQ insured. | STC Group (Telecom giant) + SAMA regulated. SADQ insured. | SAMA regulated. SADQ insured. | STC Bank (Biggest corporate backing) |
| Overall Innovation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Most innovative pure bank | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best fintech ecosystem | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Strong disruptor | D360 (Banking innovation leader) |
🏆 TABLE 2 VERDICT:
🥇 DIGITAL WINNER: D360 BANK
Reasons: Sabse saste international transfers (often 0 SAR), best exchange rates, 0 minimum balance, 0 salary requirement, best savings profit rates, 0% intl card fees possible, pure banking focus. STC Bank close second (ecosystem, 3M users, instant opening, STC stores for support).
GRAND FINALE — THE ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN
🏦 Al Rajhi Bank vs 📱 D360 Bank
| COMPARISON CRITERIA | 🏦 AL RAJHI BANK (Traditional Champion) | 📱 D360 BANK (Digital Champion) | 👑 ULTIMATE WINNER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Type | Traditional (Branch + Digital) | 100% Digital (App only) | Depends on your need |
| Customer Base | Millions (Largest retail in KSA) | 1 Million+ (Fast growing) | Al Rajhi (Established trust) |
| Physical Presence | ✅ 500+ Branches + 4,900+ ATMs | ❌ Zero Branches (Mada ATMs only) | Al Rajhi (Physical access) |
| Account Opening Speed | 1–3 Days (App + Branch visit sometimes) | 5–10 Minutes (100% App) | D360 (10x faster) |
| Documents Required | Iqama + National Address + Passport + sometimes Employer Letter | Iqama (or Visitor ID) + National Address only | D360 (Less paperwork) |
| Minimum Balance | Salary transfer preferred | 0 SAR (Absolutely zero) | D360 (Zero pressure) |
| Minimum Salary | Salary transfer expected for full benefits | 0 SAR (No salary needed at all) | D360 (No salary? No problem) |
| International Transfer Fee | ~50 SAR per transfer (Feb 2026) | Often 0 SAR or very low | D360 (Saves 50 SAR every transfer!) |
| Monthly Savings on Transfers | If 4 transfers/month = 200 SAR cost | If 4 transfers/month = ~0 SAR cost | D360 (Saves ~200 SAR/month = 2,400 SAR/year!) |
| Exchange Rate | Standard bank rate (with markup) | Near mid-market rate (minimal markup) | D360 (Better rate = more money home) |
| International Card Usage | Foreign transaction fee applies | 0% FX fee possible on select plans | D360 (Free intl spending) |
| App Experience | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Feature-rich, Sadad, loans, everything | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Modern, clean, budgeting tools | TIE (Both excellent, different styles) |
| Salary Account | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #1 choice. Most employers prefer Al Rajhi. WPS integrated. | ⭐⭐⭐ Possible but employers rarely set up WPS for digital banks yet. | Al Rajhi (Employer integration king) |
| Loan / Personal Finance | ✅ Available for expats with salary transfer history | ❌ Limited (still building this feature) | Al Rajhi (Loans available) |
| Car Finance | ✅ Available | ❌ Not available yet | Al Rajhi |
| Credit Card | ✅ Multiple options (cashback, rewards, travel) | ❌ Limited / Not primary offering yet | Al Rajhi (Credit cards) |
| Government Payments (Sadad) | ✅ Excellent, fully integrated | ✅ Available but basic | Al Rajhi (Better Sadad) |
| Savings Profit Rate | Standard (lower returns on deposits) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Competitive Murabaha rates (higher returns) | D360 (Better savings returns) |
| Customer Support | ✅ Branch + Phone + Chat + Relationship Manager | Phone + Chat only (No branch, no face-to-face) | Al Rajhi (Human support) |
| Problem Resolution | Walk into branch, talk to manager, get it solved | Wait on chat/phone, escalation can be slow | Al Rajhi (Faster resolution) |
| Trust & Security | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 67+ years old. Gold standard. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ SAMA regulated, SADQ insured. New but safe. | Al Rajhi (Decades of trust) |
| Sharia Compliant | ✅ 100% | ✅ 100% | TIE |
| SAMA 25 Free Services | ✅ All 25 | ✅ All 25 + extras | D360 (More freebies) |
| Visitor ID Support | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (Easier process) | D360 (Smoother for visitors) |
| Vision 2030 Alignment | Adapting to digital (hybrid model) | Born digital — 100% Vision 2030 aligned | D360 (Future-ready) |
| Best For New Expat | After job confirmation & salary setup | Immediately upon arrival (even as visitor) | D360 (Day 1 banking) |
| Best For Settled Expat | Primary account (salary, loans, govt payments) | Secondary account (spending, transfers, savings) | Al Rajhi (Primary hub) |
👑 GRAND FINALE VERDICT:
🚀 THERE IS NO SINGLE WINNER — THE SMART STRATEGY IS TO USE BOTH!
| YOUR SITUATION | BEST CHOICE | WHY? |
|---|---|---|
| Just arrived / Visitor / No job yet | 📱 D360 | Zero docs, zero balance, instant opening, Visitor ID accepted |
| Got a job / Salary starting | 🏦 Al Rajhi | Employer integration, WPS salary, loan eligibility starts |
| Sending money home regularly | 📱 D360 | Save ~2,400 SAR/year on transfer fees alone |
| Need car loan / personal finance | 🏦 Al Rajhi | Only traditional banks offer this for expats |
| Want best savings returns | 📱 D360 | Higher Murabaha profit rates on deposits |
| Need branch visit / human help | 🏦 Al Rajhi | 500+ branches, face-to-face support |
| Daily spending / online shopping | 📱 D360 | 0% intl fees, better analytics |
| Government payments (Sadad/traffic fines) | 🏦 Al Rajhi | Best Sadad integration |
💰 THE ULTIMATE SMART EXPAT FORMULA (Feb 2026):
Step 1: Day 1 in Saudi → Open D360 (instant, free, no salary needed)
Step 2: Job milne par → Open Al Rajhi (salary account)
Step 3: Har month salary Al Rajhi mein aaye → Jo paisa ghar bhejna hai wo D360 mein transfer karo (free local transfer) → Fir D360 se internationally bhejo (0 SAR fee, best rate)
Result: Stability + Savings + Smart Banking = Best of Both Worlds ✅
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