Jeddah is one of the most popular destinations in Saudi Arabia. It is known as the main gateway to Mecca, which is the holiest city in Islam. Over the years, it has also become one of the Kingdom’s major commercial hubs.
If you are based in Jeddah, then you have probably witnessed the city’s rapid development. In terms of banking, there are plenty of institutions here offering various financial services. In this article, we shall take a look at how the people here can apply for an emergency cash loan.
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Guide to Getting an Emergency Cash Loan in Jeddah
As mentioned earlier, there are many banks and other financial institutions in Jeddah that offer loans. Whether you’re a Saudi national or an expat resident, you can look forward to getting the money you need for emergencies and other purposes.
Eligibility
Usually, emergency loans in Saudi Arabia are given in the form of personal loans. To qualify for this type of loan, applicants should:
- Be 21 to 23 years old and;
- Have worked for at least one year or 12 months for their current employer; and
- Be willing to have their salary transferred to an account with the lending bank every month.
Requirements
As for documentary requirements, here are the things you’ll need to prepare when applying for an emergency loan:
- Completed loan application form;
- Valid Iqama and passport;
- Pay slips for the last 3 months;
- Bank statements for the last 3 months;
- Salary certificate attested by the Chamber of Commerce; and
- SIMAH credit report.
NOTE: The Saudi Credit Bureau or SIMAH is the first and only licensed national credit bureau in Saudi Arabia. It gathers information about an individual’s or a company’s financial activities (e.g. bills payments, loans, purchases). The bureau issues credit reports to banks, so that these can verify and decide whether or not to grant loans to an individual or a company.
How to Get an Emergency Cash Loan
To give you a better idea on how to apply for emergency cash loans, be sure to read the following tips and reminders first:
1. Check for agreements between the bank and your company.
Some banks establish what is known as “employee loan agreements” with some companies. This agreement enables employees to apply for loans at lower interest rates. Don’t forget to check with your Human Resources (HR) department and ask if there is such an agreement between the bank and your company.
2. Inquire about salary transfers.
“Salary transfer” takes place when a person’s monthly salary is transferred to an account with a lending bank. This type of loan usually has a lower interest rate than a loan that does not involve salary transfers. Do not hesitate to ask the bank if they require salary transfer from their borrowers.
3. Discover and compare various options.
Do not settle for the first loan offer that you encounter! Take time to visit different banks, even those that do not have employee loan agreements with your company. This way, you can compare loan amounts, interest rates, fees, repayment terms, and other factors before making a final decision.
Banks in Jeddah with Emergency Cash Loans
Similar to Riyadh and other major cities, there are many banks — and ATMS — in Jeddah. Most of these banks provide emergency cash loans and other services to customers. Here is a list of banks that offer emergency cash loans to Saudi nationals and expats:
1. Riyad Bank
One of Riyad Bank’s personal finance products is Tawarruq, which is offered to Saudi nationals and expatriates, as well. To be eligible for this loan, an applicant should be earning at least SAR 3,000 a month, although salary transfer is not required. The maximum repayment period for this loan is up to 5 years.
Riyad Bank has several locations in Jeddah, including the following branch:
Address: 2786 Salah Ad Din, Jeddah 22233, Saudi Arabia
Telephone: +966 12 647 4777
Website: https://www.riyadbank.com/
Google Map:
2. Samba
Established in 1980, Samba was formerly known as Saudi American Bank. In 2021, it merged with National Commercial Bank, thus forming Saudi National Bank.
The bank provides various products, including Personal Finance for newly-arrived expats in the Kingdom. This product includes financing of up to SAR 200,000. The maximum repayment period is 12 months.
To qualify for this loan, expats should be at least 23 years old and earning at least SAR 5,000 per month. In addition, they should have worked for at least one month with their current employer.
For more details about Samba’s Personal Finance, you can get in touch with Samba through the following branch in Jeddah:
Address: Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz St, Al Andalus, Jeddah 23326, Saudi Arabia
Telephone: +966 1 2660 7700
Website: https://alahli.com/
Google Map:
3. Saudi Investment Bank
Expats who have been working for at least 12 months may qualify for Saudi Investment Bank’s Personal Loan. They must be between 23 to 60 years old, and earning at least SAR 10,000 per month. Salary transfer is required. Meanwhile, the loan has a maximum repayment period of 60 months.
Saudi Investment Bank has several branches in Jeddah, such as this one along King Abdullah Road in Al Ruwais:
Address: King Abdullah Rd, Al Ruwais, Jeddah 23213, Saudi Arabia
Telephone: +966 800 124 8000
Website: https://www.saib.com.sa/ar
Google Map:
4. Banque Saudi Fransi
Banque Saudi Fransi’s Personal Finance provides financing of up to SAR 2.5 million, with a repayment period of up to 5 years or 60 months. To qualify of this loan, salary transfer is required, among other criteria. Expat applicants should have a minimum salary of SAR 3,500 per month, and should have been working for at least one year already.
The bank has several branches in Jeddah, such as the following branch in Al Ruwais:
Address: Al Ruwais, Jeddah 23214, Saudi Arabia
Telephone: +966 12 657 4703
Website: https://www.alfransi.com.sa/english/home
Google Map:
Summary
We hope that the above guide has been helpful, especially if you are thinking about applying for an emergency cash loan as an expat in Jeddah. Just remember to check the eligibility criteria, submit the necessary documents, and you should be able to get a personal loan in no time!
Speaking of loans, perhaps you are planning to buy a new car soon. If this is the case, we recommend that you read this article featuring the best car finance loans in the Kingdom.
