SAB becomes first bank in the Middle East to achieve 7-Star CinOrg®? Innovation Accreditation

05/03/2026 06:13 AST

Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), one of the leading banks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is certified as a Leader in Innovation with a 7-Star rating, the highest level of global recognition for Certified Innovative Organizations (CinOrg®?) awarded by the Global Innovation Institute (GInI), making SAB the first bank in the region to receive this rating.

The certification represents a defining milestone in SAB's innovation journey, following a comprehensive innovation maturity assessment conducted by the Global Innovation Institute in December 2025, building on the Bank's previous evaluation in December 2023. This evaluation elevated SAB's innovation maturity status from "Champion" to "Leader", reflecting the Bank's institutionalized innovation model, enterprise-wide impact, and sustained delivery of measurable outcomes. With this recognition, SAB became the first bank in the region to attain the highest innovation maturity rating, cementing its position as a regional benchmark for innovation leadership and future-ready banking.

In 2025, SAB inaugurated its flagship Innovation Centre and received six internationally recognized innovation awards and one lab accreditation, reinforcing the Bank's strategic focus on building a sustainable culture of innovation and advancing a future-ready banking ecosystem. The Innovation Centre has played a key role in accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies, enabling cross-functional collaboration, and positioning SAB as a regional benchmark for Financial Innovation.

Saeed Assiri, Chief Innovation Banking Officer at SAB, said: "This certification reflects years of disciplined effort to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem at SAB. By investing in SAB's culture, governance, and talent, innovation enables the bank to remain future-ready. This milestone reinforces our role in accelerating Financial Innovation in Saudi Arabia and delivering long-term value for our customers."

This certification marks another step in SAB's ongoing innovation journey, as the Bank continues to build capabilities that support the evolution of Saudi Arabia's banking sector.

Saudi Gazette