Al Rajhi Bank (مصرف الراجحي) SWOT and PESTLE Analysis

Strength

1. Compliance with Islamic Laws: Islamic banking abides by the principle of Shariah. This law gives the Muslim community a facility to carry out the financial activities, who otherwise do not choose banks with conventional laws. Al Rajhi bank integrates the modern baking facilities like online banking and other financial facilities very well with the Islamic banking laws, which gives it the status of the most preferred Islamic bank.

2. Full Banking Licence in Malaysia: The bank has ventured in Malaysian market in 2006. With that, it has become the first bank ever to gain full banking license. Opening the branches in non-Islamic state gives the bank an opportunity to cater to a broader community (both Muslim and non-Muslim customers).

The bank also plans to roll out the country’s first artificial intelligence program for anti-money laundering. This would help the bank to bring down the cost by almost 50% (as anticipated by the senior authorities).

3. Ladies banking facility: The rules have always been very stringent for women in Saudi Arabia. With banks opening the facility of dedicated women bank, it has become easier for Women to get into new job opportunities and an ease to understand and take benefit of the modern banking facilities. The bank provides special credit card to its female customers which ensures privacy and offers distinction at various outlets which deals with women’s goods and services.

4. Awarded as strongest Islamic retail bank: Around 73% of the bank’s operating income comes from the retail sector. The bank provides a number of facilities like personal loans, cards, auto finance/leasing. Thus, it helps the bank to not only increase its overall business but also improve the brand visibility. Same is also supported with the CAGR of 5.4% in the deposits and 6.2% in its total assets. The bank is also the second largest bank in Saudi Arabia (asset wise).

5. High Income to Operating cost ratio: With high income to operating cost ratio (32.9%), the company establishes the fact that the system is turning efficient. The bank’s recent plan to introduce AI for anti-money laundering in Malaysia gives it a leverage to increase the efficiency further.

Weakness

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Opportunity

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Threat

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Political

1. Uncertain business climate: Though there are positive aspects of having a single king ruling and taking decisions for the country or the economy as the various investors are aware of whom to reach out to. But the issue arises that what if the reforms fail and the king is not there, then who will be held responsible. That creates a sense of insecurity among the nationals of Saudi Arabia and investors, what if the reform fails, it would lead to greater chaos than the present scenario.The new in Saudi Arabia wants the nation to undergo drastic reforms especially in the field of technology.

On one hand, where the new crown prince promotes digitisation, focuses on non-oil GDP components and promotes women empowerment which would help increasing the investments, there is a huge risk involved when economists adds that the vision 2030 might be too optimist.

Economic

1. Global Prices of Oil:The economy of Saudi Arabia is mainly dependent on oil. As it is one of the leading oil exporter it accounts for 85 percent of its export and form around 45 percent of its GDP. So, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that yes, fluctuation in the oil prices do have an impact on its economy as well as would be having an adverse impact on the credit extension and economic activities of the banks.As the imports and export of oil is inversely proportional to the international prices of the crude oil. There has been decrease in the oil prices in recent past, the overall fiscal spending of the banks has scaled back and it has also weakened the economic activities of country.

Social

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Technological

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Legal

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Environmental

1. Addressing environmental issues by promoting digitisation: The bank has been focusing on may initiatives to digitise its user experience like POS machines, self-servicing machine for efficient management of workforce, reduce energy consumption and minimize wastage of paper by promoting online transactions. To facilitate the same, the bank provides both mobile banking and online banking services. Further, the bank can move towards introducing solar based ATMs to reduce the energy impact and green bonds to promote development.