The Award Reflects Commitment with the global Industry Standards

Samba Named "Best Bank in Saudi Arabia" for the third Year in a Row

In its fifteenth annual selection of the Best Emerging Market Banks in the Middle East 2008, Global Finance Magazine has named Samba Financial Group "Best Bank in Saudi Arabia 2008" for the third year in the row, in recognition of its high performance and sustained growth in all banking and financial segments. The announcement of the winners coincides with the Magazines' celebration of its 21st anniversary in business.

Global Finance Editors, with input from industry analysts, corporate executives and banking consultants, selected the winners based on criteria including growth in assets, profitability, strategic relationships, customer services, competitive pricing, and innovative products. All such criteria qualify Samba for the award, reflects its local and regional leadership among banking and financial institutions.

This award is another valuable link in the chain of awards that speaks volumes about the leading role of Samba in the local and regional markets, especially when it comes from an international specialized independent institution and through evaluations by global professionals and experts in the industry.

It also indicates samba's compliance with the internationally recognized standards of the industry and its ability to develop and sustain high performance standards and expand its services and offerings.

Winning this accolade for the third consecutive year reflects Samba's pursuit for excellence and development and commitment of its staff who stand behind its successive achievements. The accolade is also considered a motivation to proceed steadily with Samba's developmental strategy, which puts Samba as choice No 1 for the clients.