Abstract

Corporate governance is a cornerstone in improving efficiency and creating confidence to attract investors. After collapses of giant companies, worldwide business community are trying to infuse a culture of honesty and integrity in business. Commitment of board of directors and willing of top management and employees to strength corporate governance is essential. Failure to compliance with corporate governance rules will increase operational risk and hence impacting interests of stakeholders.

Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) which is the central bank in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with Capital Market Authority (CMA) are thriving continuously to strength corporate governance rules for banks and financial institutions. One of the circulars for banks and financial institutions is the requirements for appointments of senior positions in financial organizations with the objective of appointing persons who possess integrity, honesty, and good reputation. Companies should obtain written non-objection form for the appointment of senior managers and it is the responsibility of board of directors to ensure compliance with this regulation. In addition, SAMA issued several guidelines for anti-money laundering, rules for countering fraud and a code of professional ethics of staff. Recently, banks are required to form compliance unit to make sure banks prepare their financials according to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

The aim of this paper is to highlight a case of corporate governance and board responsibilities in one of the financial institutions in Saudi Arabia. The case will be presented to show the mechanism followed by the financial institution and whether it is complied with rules in appointing senior managers and if not what corrective actions are done in order to strength corporate governance principles.

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