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In an era of digits, figures might be dealt with out of sight to make remarkable visible ends. Information has the power to shape all stories where each figure has a value. At SIMAH, we have consistently trusted that information can fundamentally change lives and make a brighter tomorrow. To make this happen, we deeply dive into the pool of information right from the highest surface of mere numbers to the bottom of final conclusions. Our philosophy is that we work closely with you to not only make smart decisions but also develop wise ongoing decisions mechanisms.

Founded in 2002 and started operation in 2004, Saudi Credit Bureau (SIMAH) is the first national credit bureau in Saudi Arabia licensed to provide both consumer and commercial world class products and services. Innovativity of SIMAH stems from its robust ability to meet stakeholders’ needs in both government and private sectors. Our marketing concept is FINDATA while more than 323 key data providers contribute big data to SIMATI, SIMAT and MOARIF. SIMAH means characteristic and this is the genuine role of SIMAH; characterizing credit reporting industry.

By achieving maturity of credit information industry, maximizing stability of existing financial systems and develop credit information sharing industry perception through promoting it as a neutral towards the local community and adding to the national economy, SIMAH works to contribute remarkably to competitive position of the Saudi Arabia’s financial sector in the Middle East and in the world in line with Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP) and Vision 2030.

The idea to establish an independent Saudi Arabian credit bureau was first conceived at the end of 1998. Shortly after, a team of specialists was formed to further explore the concept, working closely with the International Finance Corporation ( IFC) , a member of the World Bank Group , to lay out the initial framework. Looking at several credit bureaus and consumer reporting agencies around the world, the team identified the necessary steps and technological system to be implemented in order to establish a bureau and overcome any barriers, technical or otherwise, to its success.

SIMAH began operations in 2004, thus becoming the first national credit bureau licensed under the supervisory umbrella of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) (SAMA) and marking a true leap forward towards reducing credit risk in the Kingdom. SIMAH's work centers around the collection, categorization and analysis of its members' credit information, applying the Credit Information Law and its Implementing Regulations within the context of the current banking act and regulations issued by SAMA.

In 2014, in a decision handed down by the Court and His Excellency the Minister of Commerce in ruling No. 99/Q, issued on 2 Jumada al-Owal, 1435H, SIMAH was transformed from a limited liability company into a closed joint-stock company, marking the start of its second chapter as a pioneer in the realm of credit information in Saudi Arabia.

In line with its legislative mandate, SIMAH's bylaws clearly delineate the rights and responsibilities of SIMAH and its stakeholders, outlined within a clear and balanced framework. Working to ensure the rights of all information owners, this guarantees the quality, confidentiality and the mechanism for the exchange of credit information. It also clarifies the duties entrusted to SIMAH and its members, reaffirming SIMAH's philosophy of complete transparency in information sharing.

Vision:

World Class Bureau in terms of products, services and standards

Mission:

Providing comprehensive credit information services and added value products by utilizing best business practices in order to sustain and afford the highest level of stakeholder satisfaction.

  1. Collecting and exchanging credit information
  2. Creating an effective financial infrastructure able to support sustainable economic growth
  3. Increasing lender and investor confidence
  4. Enabling credit providers to form a clear image of prospective borrowers by providing them with borrowers' credit history, improving their ability to determine financial solvency and to assess credit risk
  5. Gathering financial and non-financial variables from consumer credit reports to be inputted into complex predictive models in order to determine the credit risk posed by an individual/corporation. This acts as tool in the assistance of credit providers and lenders in their efforts to predict consumers’ borrowing behaviors during the lending decision process
  6. Reducing disparities in credit information, through a reduction of information asymmetry between lenders and borrowers. This is due to the fact that, in order to determine a prospective borrower's financial solvency, lenders depend primarily on the accuracy of available information
  7. Decreasing the non-performing loan rate and increasing recovery rates, in addition to facilitating access to financing at a price that takes an accurately calculated credit risk rate into consideration
  8. Supporting monetary policies and related monetary tools so that lenders are able to dynamically and accurately assess the cost of risk in cases of borrower default. This enables interest rates, one of the most important monetary policy tools, to directly affect economic behaviors, such as borrowing rates, investment and consumption.
  9. Improving credit quality and initiating credit expansion, thereby stimulating economic growth.

Milestones

Shareholders

Subsidiaries

  • Decision analytics
  • Consulting
  • Software technology
  • Customer management
  • Process automation
  • 360 Degree Corporate Rating
  • Structured finance
  • Sovereign rating
  • Credit rating for debt securities
  • Ratings for banks & other organizations