RIYADH, 21 December 2005 — The Saudi British Bank (SABB) has announced that all necessary preparations are in place to receive subscriptions for Yanbu National Petrochemicals Company’s (YANSAB’s) initial public offering (IPO) through electronic channels (Internet, telephone banking and ATMs) as well as through branches to facilitate the process for subscribers.

This comes on the heels of reports that thousands of Saudis had thronged local banks to buy YANSAB shares, calling the police to control crowds of prospective subscribers.

Samba Financial Group, which was appointed to manage the IPO, instructed its clients to complete their subscription forms through its ATMs and website as part of efforts to reduce crowds in its branches.

Customers who had previously subscribed through SABB may benefit from the YANSAB Subscription Service through Internet around the clock from anywhere in the Kingdom or abroad by visiting SABB website www.sabb.com. SABB electronic services had been extensively used during earlier subscriptions particularly in the light of the increasing number of customers using the Internet in their banking and other investment needs.

Necessary preparations have also been taken to enable customers to subscribe through the SABB ATMs. Customers may also effect their subscriptions through the Direct Banking Service using the toll free number 800-124-8888 as well as through other conventional channels by completing and lodging application forms at customer service personnel.

Sulaiman Al-Hamdan, deputy managing director, said that SABB has taken all measures to make available subscription forms to customers wishing to subscribe in YANSAB IPO. “To facilitate the process, SABB has also introduced creative electronic channels for the first time in line with its ongoing strategy to provide best banking services to its customers, enabling them to perform their transactions in the quickest possible time from anywhere and at any time,” he said.

SABB is a pioneer in launching advanced electronic services that facilitates subscription processes. Among those launched services were subscription through ATMs, for the first time in the Kingdom and the self- registration, also for the first time through SABB electronic website which facilitates self -registration and entry of subscribers details for participation in the IPOs launched in the Saudi market.