Abstract

The case describes in detail the strategies adopted by the Saudi British Bank (SABB), the Saudi Arabian subsidiary of global financial services major HSBC. It examines how the innovative banking services and products introduced by SABB helped it emerge as the fastest growing retail banker in the country by the 1990s. The case begins with a background note on HSBC and comments briefly on its worldwide growth strategies. Thereafter, HSBC's entry into the Saudi Arabian market and its role in the development of Saudi Arabia's banking industry is discussed. Apart from giving a detailed explanation of the banking services provided by SABB, the case also examines the rationale behind its decision to introduce Islamic banking products and services and explains them in detail. The bank's focus on launching value added banking services to its customers in the early 21st century is discussed. The case also takes a look at the recognition SABB received as a result of its customer-centric strategies. In addition, the case provides a detailed note on Saudi Arabia's banking industry and the concept of Islamic Banking.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Saudi Arabian Banking Industry, Islamic Banking, Banking products and services.

Keywords

Saudi British Bank, SABB, global financial services, HSBC, innovative banking, fastest, growing, retail banker,1990, worldwide growth strategies, Saudi Arabian market, banking industry, banking services, Islamic banking products, value added banking,21st century, recognition, customer-centric strategies