Saudi Awwal Bank, one of the leading banks in Saudi Arabia, and HSBC, the global banking and financial services organization, have together been awarded the Middle East and Asia cash management mandate for Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s digital native carrier, as it prepares to commence operations this year.

For more than 70 years, HSBC and SAB’s banking partnership has enabled clients in the Kingdom to grow domestically and expand internationally. 

Together, SAB and HSBC will work closely with Riyadh Air to provide an integrated and seamless cash management program to manage all payment and liquidity needs across the two regions. 

As a domestic house bank, SAB will oversee operations within Riyadh Air’s home market of Saudi Arabia when it begins operations, including facilitating payments and liquidity management. Additionally, SAB has been mandated as one of the acquirers for Riyadh Air’s e-commerce transactions, further enhancing the airline’s operational capabilities.

Simultaneously, HSBC will support Riyadh Air with its planned expansion in markets across the wider Middle East and Asia. The mandate will enable Riyadh Air to leverage HSBC’s award-winning payments solutions including Virtual Accounts, Omni Collect and automated sweeping solutions, ensuring efficient cash management and seamless liquidity across their international operations. 

Executives from SAB and HSBC joined Riyadh Air at its new head office at the GACA Campus on Airport Road, for a signing ceremony to mark the partnership. 

Yasser Albarrak, chief corporate and institutional banking officer at SAB, said: “We are proud to support Riyadh Air as it embarks on a journey to redefine aviation travel in the Kingdom. This partnership highlights our commitment to providing innovative banking solutions that empower groundbreaking projects in Saudi Arabia, ensuring that Riyadh Air can achieve its vision of transforming the travel experience.”

Adam Boukadida, CFO of Riyadh Air, said: “We are proud to be partnering with SAB and HSBC as we embark on our journey to revolutionize air travel. This collaboration will enable us to manage our financial operations effectively, ensuring a smooth launch and seamless service delivery.”

Kyle Boag, head of global payments solutions, HSBC Middle East, North Africa and Turkiye, said: “Connecting clients across the world is at our core. This mandate underscores HSBC’s world-leading payments solutions, our expertise in the aviation sector and our commitment to Saudi Arabia’s growth. As the largest international bank across Asia and the Middle East, we will provide Riyadh Air with seamless cash solutions as they take flight to new markets.”

Bateel International has launched Bateel Rewards, the company’s loyalty program designed to offer exclusive benefits to its customers. Spanning across Bateel Boutique, Café Bateel, and El’an in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the program provides members with rewarding experiences across both online, app and in-store purchases and in cafes, adding an extra touch of appreciation.

According to recent market data, 84 percent of consumers say they are more likely to stick with a brand that offers a customer loyalty scheme. Bateel has accordingly introduced its loyalty program to ensure customers not only receive exclusive benefits but also meaningful engagement. The Bateel Rewards program is now live, reinforcing the company’s commitment to providing all customers with unparalleled value.

Bateel is always looking for new ways to enhance its customers’ experience, with innovation at the heart of everything it does. The brand’s loyalty program is a testament to this commitment, designed to go beyond just rewards and create a deeper, more personal connection with its valued customers.

Nurtaç Afridi, CEO at Bateel, said: “We wanted to give back to our loyal customers whose happiness is our biggest motivation. We want to ensure that every interaction with our customers is as rewarding as it is exceptional.”

Designed to integrate effortlessly with customers’ shopping journeys, Bateel Rewards offers a smooth omnichannel experience, allowing members to earn and redeem points both in-store and online. Whether visiting a Bateel Boutique, Café Bateel, Bateel El’an, or shopping via the Bateel online store, members enjoy the same seamless benefits.

Bateel Rewards is a three-tiered membership program designed to offer increasing benefits as customers engage with the brand via three options:

• Silver membership, where customers earn 10 percent back in points on their purchases.

• As they continue to shop, they progress to a Gold membership, earning 15 percent back in points.

• Customers ultimately reach Platinum status, where they receive 20 percent back in points.

Points can be accumulated and later redeemed for discounts on future purchases, ensuring that every interaction with Bateel is both rewarding and enjoyable.

The Bateel Rewards program is now live and free to download from the Apple Store or Google Play, reinforcing the company’s commitment to providing all customers with unparalleled value. The program will be rolled out to other countries where Bateel operates in the next phase.