download center icon
Download PDF

Strategic Direction

Our Strategy

Our next strategic cycle is defined by disciplined execution and deep customer relevance. By modernizing our core systems, scaling AI capabilities, and driving cross-group synergy, we are building a high-performance culture ready to lead a transforming financial landscape.

Technology Ready, Market Primed

BSF provides a full spectrum of commercial banking products and services. Its commitment lies in building client loyalty and mutually beneficial long-term partnerships through personalized service offerings, cutting-edge financial tools, and financial advisory services.

2025 Strategic Focus

Profitability, Position, and Customer Experience are BSF’s three strategic pillars, which are prudently reviewed and refined each year based on BSF’s strategies and evolving financial landscape. During 2025, BSF ensured these key pillars remained balanced and in line with the major transformation undertaken during the preceding years, which included the rebranding efforts, Core Banking System migration, and omni-channel upgrades.

  • Regular review of structured scorecards, tracking market, client, and financial performance
  • Focus on disciplined pricing and non-interest income
  • Diverting resources towards customer segments and products with high potential
  • Investments for better risk-adjusted returns
  • Enhance customer experience through fast turnaround times
  • Personalized client engagement

Closing a Chapter: 2025 Strategy Highlights

As the 2021-2025 strategy cycle came to a close, the past five years were defined by discipline, focus and foundational progress. The five-year strategy was based on five core pillars, which have provided the foundation for sustained performance, strengthened capabilities, and BSF’s next phase of strategic growth.

New Phase of Growth: Strategy 2030

With a solid foundation in place, BSF’s 2030 Strategy will be directly linked to the Saudi Vision 2030, to unlock a new phase of growth. This new phase will be based on several key focus areas.

Leverage the capabilities, platforms, and culture we’ve established to propel us into
the next phase of growth.

Key Strategic Focus Areas for 2026-2030

  • Driving returns through disciplined RAROC and enhanced client value.
  • Scaling fee-based businesses including trade, payments, wealth, advisory, and transaction services.
  • Targeted participation in giga-projects with a focus on advisory, arranging, and syndication roles.
  • Growing CASA and low-cost funding while maintaining wholesale banking as the balance sheet anchor.
  • Advancing a “one client, one relationship” approach through integrated cross-selling and shared KPIs.
  • Modernizing technology, digitizing journeys, strengthening resilience, and scaling data and AI capabilities.
  • Building a performance-driven culture with reskilled talent aligned to Talent Hub 2030.
2030 Strategy focuses on embedding operational excellence in our core DNA, deepening customer relevance, and anticipating market dynamics.
The coming phase will emphasize value creation, innovation, and leadership
in a transforming BSF.

Outlook

Based on the groundwork done in 2025, BSF expects 2026 to be a year where execution of transactions speeds up, cross-selling across the group strengthens, fee-based income accelerates, deposits from micro, small, and medium enterprises grow, and the use of technology and AI move from test case scenarios to real world use cases.

BSF’s funding strategy will be focused on CASA together with other stable funding sources, and capital-light lending structures will be prioritized to support efficient growth. The treasury business will also play a vital role in optimizing the cost of funds.

As the industry shifts to open banking and AI-driven financial services, BSF intends to capitalize on its dedicated fintech partnership program. Further contributions from BSF Capital and JB are expected to increase considerably, supporting BSF’s long-term strategic goals.