Abdullah Saad Al-Ruwais

Vice President for Business Sector at the Social Development Bank since December 2024, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In his role, Al-Ruwais spearheads initiatives to empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs. He leads the development and implementation of innovative financial solutions and sustainable development programs, focusing on enhancing financial inclusion and fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. He has contributed to the implementation of several digital transformation initiatives that have modernized technical and financial systems and improved institutional efficiency.

Abdullah brings over 20 years of experience in Saudi Arabia’s banking and financial sector, with a focus on retail banking, payment systems, and digital transformation.

Previously, Al-Ruwais served as the Vice President of Retail Banking Services at Bank AlBilad, where he played a role in reshaping the bank’s strategy to align with emerging market trends. He oversaw the expansion of digital banking services, the creation of innovative financial products, and the enhancement of customer experiences.

Prior to that, Al-Ruwais  served as CEO of the Saudi Company for the Registration of Financial Leases (Sijil), During his tenure, he led the company’s foundational development, creating advanced systems that fostered cooperation between banks and financial institutions.

Al-Ruwais also held senior leadership roles at Bank Aljazira, including Head of the Cards Department, where he managed a diverse portfolio of banking products and digital payment solutions. In addition, he worked at Al Rajhi Bank as the Head of Electronic Channels and IT Improvement Program Manager.

Early in his career, Al-Ruwais worked at the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA), now known as the Saudi Central Bank, where he contributed to the development of the Saudi Payments Network (mada).

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems from King Saud University.