The saudi central bank (sama) held an open banking forum on wednesday:he Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) held an Open Banking Forum on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, on the sidelines of Money20/20 Middle East. The forum brought together Open Banking leaders from banks.

According to Saudi Press Agency, SAMA reviewed Open Banking progress in the Kingdom and highlighted banks' pivotal role in developing the ecosystem and enabling secure, innovative financial services for individuals and businesses. Discussions focused on priorities for the next stage, including banks' readiness for Payment Initiation Services and expanding the use of Open Banking services by businesses.

Participants also discussed ways to improve service quality, strengthen coordination between banks and fintech companies, and provide a more consistent customer experience. The forum reflects SAMA's commitment to working closely with the sector to advance the Open Banking ecosystem within a regulatory framework that balances innovation with service reliability and customer protection.