SAB Invest launches securities lending service with JPMorganChase
SAB Invest, the investment arm of Saudi Awwal Bank, has launched a new securities lending service for clients and named JPMorganChase as its agent for the domestic equity business. The move is part of SAB Invest’s broader plan to expand the platform into global assets while strengthening its position as a full-service participant in capital markets.
The new capability is designed to help clients generate returns from their existing equity holdings. It also opens access to yield-generating opportunities across international markets, reflecting growing demand for more sophisticated portfolio solutions among institutional and high-net-worth investors.
Expansion beyond domestic equities
According to SAB Invest, the launch of the securities lending service marks an important step in the development of its investment platform. The firm said the mandate supports its strategy to broaden services beyond Saudi equities and into global assets, while maintaining the operational standards expected of an institutional capital markets provider.
JPMorganChase was selected to support the domestic equity business based on its local market experience, international capabilities, risk management framework, and technology infrastructure. The partnership is intended to provide the operational framework needed to support client asset protection, fiduciary obligations, and lending return management.
The service introduces institutional-grade securities lending infrastructure into the domestic equity market, which SAB Invest said contributes to the continued development of Saudi capital markets. The launch also comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is working to attract more foreign investment flows and deepen the sophistication of its financial ecosystem.
Leadership comments
Majed Alqahtani, Chief Business Officer at SAB Invest, described the launch as a strategic milestone for the firm and its clients. He said securities lending has become a core part of advanced portfolio management and that SAB Invest is now positioned to deliver the service with institutional rigor.
Alqahtani added that the partnership will allow clients to generate yield from both Saudi equity positions and global portfolios, aligning with the financial reform goals associated with Vision 2030.
From JPMorganChase’s side, Harpreet Bains, EMEA Head Agency Securities Finance, said the bank was proud to be selected by SAB Invest as its securities lending agent at a time when Saudi capital markets continue to grow.
Industry Analysis
The launch highlights the increasing sophistication of Saudi Arabia’s asset management and capital markets landscape. Securities lending is typically associated with more mature institutional markets, so SAB Invest’s move suggests rising demand for advanced portfolio monetization tools in the Kingdom.
By pairing domestic market access with JPMorganChase’s global securities finance capabilities, SAB Invest is positioning itself to serve investors seeking additional income opportunities without changing their core portfolio holdings. The development also fits broader market reform efforts tied to Vision 2030, which aims to deepen financial markets and expand international participation in the Saudi economy.
