Fees taken without justification, a finance agreement whose profit was calculated differently from what you agreed, a card used without your knowledge, or a bank that refuses to close an account or issue a clearance letter: these are banking and finance disputes, and in Saudi Arabia they follow their own route, separate from the ordinary courts. This guide explains how to complain about a bank or finance company, when the matter moves to the competent judicial body, and what strengthens your position.
What counts as a banking or finance dispute?
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Finance and loans | Disagreement over the outstanding balance, the profit charged, early settlement fees, or rescheduling of instalments |
| Accounts and cards | Unauthorised transactions, fees you did not agree to, or funds being held |
| Transfers and remittances | A transfer that never arrived or was debited twice |
| Guarantees and mortgages | Refusal to release a mortgage after repayment, or enforcement against the security |
| Finance companies | Car finance, consumer finance and business finance |
The steps, in order
- Complain to the bank or finance company itself through its official channels, and keep the complaint reference number and date.
- If it is not resolved: file a complaint with the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) through its complaints platform, SAMA Cares («ساما تهتم»), together with your bank complaint number and your documents.
- If the dispute continues: it goes before the committees responsible for deciding banking and finance disputes. These are a specialised judicial body; as a rule, such cases do not go to the general courts.
Complaint procedures, time limits and jurisdiction are set by the Central Bank's instructions and the relevant regulations, and they can change, so check the current official source.
What strengthens your position?
- The finance contract or account terms you signed, and the repayment schedule.
- Account statements showing the deduction or the disputed transaction.
- Your correspondence with the bank and the complaint reference numbers.
- Proof that you reported the unauthorised transaction immediately.
Proceedings before Saudi judicial bodies are conducted in Arabic, so documents in other languages will need an Arabic translation. The firm can advise you in English.
A complaint template to the bank before escalating
Keep the reference number and date; you will need them to escalate to the Central Bank or the competent committees.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sue the bank in court directly?
Banking and finance disputes have their own competent judicial body, and filing before the wrong body wastes time. Identify the type of dispute first. Read Which court has jurisdiction over my case?.
The bank suspended my services over a disputed debt. What can I do?
It depends on where the suspension came from: is it a measure taken by the bank, or an order from the Enforcement Court? Read Suspension of services and travel bans.
Is a SAMA Cares complaint worth it if the amount is large?
Yes. It resolves many disputes and documents your position before any claim. In large or complex disputes, it is better to have a lawyer help draft the complaint from the start.
In a dispute with a bank or finance company?
The Usus Law Firm team handles banking disputes for individuals and companies, from the first complaint to the final decision, in Riyadh and Tabuk. You can start with a free question through our inquiry centre.
This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.
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