Global Finance magazine, a highly influential international publication, has named SABB the Best Trade Finance Bank in Saudi Arabia in 2010, according to a press statement released by the bank on Monday.

Joseph D. Giarraputo, publisher and president of Global Finance, said: "Global trade finance volume contracted sharply in 2009, to the extent that lack of financing was part of the reason for a decline in world trade. We have selected the banks (in each country) that stood by their customers during the credit crunch and found innovative ways to lower risk and speed cash flow from international transactions."

In SABB's case, customer support in 2009 was highlighted by the creation of the SABB Trade Academy, designed to train corporate customers in better managing and lessening the risks involved in international trade. The year also saw SABB working closely with the International Finance Corporation in an initiative to enable customers to continue to win business in very difficult overseas markets.

SABB Deputy Managing Director Adel Al-Nasser said: "Customer care has been our priority throughout these difficult times and that means not only giving them the highest possible support but also offering innovative services to help them minimize risk while expanding their businesses. Relationships with corporate customers across our client base have strengthened as a result."