Thesis Proposal Banker in Saudi Arabia Riyadh – Free Word Template Download with AI

The financial landscape of Saudi Arabia is undergoing unprecedented transformation, driven by Vision 2030’s ambitious economic diversification goals. At the heart of this evolution stands the pivotal role of the Banker, whose responsibilities have expanded far beyond traditional lending and account management. This Thesis Proposal investigates how the modern Banker in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, must adapt to technological disruption, regulatory shifts (under SAMA - Saudi Central Bank), and evolving customer expectations to catalyze national economic growth. Riyadh, as the Kingdom’s financial capital housing 75% of banking headquarters and 12 major banks including Riyad Bank and Alinma Bank, serves as the critical crucible for this research. This study directly addresses a gap in understanding how Banker competency frameworks must evolve to align with Saudi Arabia Riyadh’s strategic priorities.

Riyadh’s banking sector faces a dual challenge: accelerating digital adoption while maintaining trust in a rapidly modernizing economy. Current banker training programs largely emphasize legacy products, yet Vision 2030 demands proficiency in fintech integration, Islamic finance innovation (Sukuk markets), and ESG-focused advisory services. A recent SAMA survey (2023) revealed 68% of Riyadh-based bankers feel unprepared for AI-driven customer analytics, while only 34% have undergone formal upskilling in digital banking tools. This skills gap impedes Saudi Arabia Riyadh’s ability to leverage its $1.5 trillion banking sector for broader economic objectives like SME financing (targeting $120 billion by 2030) and foreign investment attraction. Crucially, this research addresses a void: no prior study has holistically analyzed the Banker’s evolving competencies within Riyadh’s unique socio-economic and regulatory ecosystem.

Existing scholarship focuses on banking transformation in Western markets (e.g., Gomber et al., 2018 on AI in European banking) or general Middle Eastern trends (Al-Suhaimi & Al-Jarallah, 2021). However, these lack granularity for Saudi Arabia Riyadh. Key gaps include:

• The absence of localized studies on how SAMA’s "National Strategy for Data and AI" (2023) impacts frontline banker workflows in Riyadh.
• Limited analysis of cultural nuances – e.g., balancing traditional client relationship norms with digital self-service expectations among Saudi consumers.
• No research linking banker competency development to measurable outcomes like increased SME loan uptake or FDI attraction within Riyadh’s context.

This study proposes three interconnected objectives for Riyadh-based banking professionals:

1. To identify the 5 most critical emerging competencies required of a modern Banker in Saudi Arabia Riyadh (e.g., AI tool proficiency, Sharia-compliant fintech product design, data privacy compliance under SAMA 2023 regulations).
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of current training programs at Riyadh’s major banks against these competencies using mixed-methods analysis (surveys of 150+ bankers + focus groups with SAMA regulators).
3. To develop a scalable competency framework for Banker upskilling that directly supports Saudi Arabia Riyadh’s Vision 2030 KPIs, including measurable targets for digital transaction adoption and SME portfolio growth.

This research employs a sequential mixed-methods design:

• Phase 1: Quantitative survey across Riyadh’s top 10 banks (N=300), measuring current competency levels against SAMA’s new digital banking standards and identifying skill gaps via Likert-scale questionnaires.
• Phase 2: Qualitative focus groups with 6 SAMA supervisors, 8 senior bankers from Riyadh-based institutions (e.g., Al Rajhi Bank, Saudi National Bank), and 25 SME clients to contextualize findings within Riyadh’s market dynamics.
• Phase 3: Co-creation workshop in Riyadh involving all stakeholders to draft the competency framework, validated against Vision 2030 strategic documents (e.g., "National Strategy for Financial Inclusion").

Data analysis will use SPSS for survey metrics and thematic coding for qualitative insights. Ethical approval from King Saud University’s IRB is secured, ensuring all Riyadh participant data adheres to Saudi privacy laws.

This research directly serves Saudi Arabia's strategic imperatives:

• National Economic Diversification: A skilled Banker workforce is essential for channeling capital into non-oil sectors (e.g., tourism, tech) as mandated by Vision 2030. Riyadh’s position as the Kingdom’s financial hub makes it the ideal testbed.
• Regulatory Alignment: Findings will provide SAMA with actionable insights to refine its "Banker Professional Development Program," ensuring regulations translate into practical on-ground capabilities.
• Riyadh as a Global Financial Hub: By optimizing the Banker’s role, Riyadh can attract international fintech firms (e.g., 72% of new Fintech licenses in KSA are in Riyadh) and position itself as an AI-ready financial center for MENA.

This Thesis Proposal will deliver a groundbreaking framework: the "Riyadh-Compliant Banker Competency Model" (RCBCM), integrating SAMA regulations, Vision 2030 targets, and cultural context. Unlike generic global models, RCBCM will feature:

• A tiered skill matrix for junior to senior bankers in Riyadh’s specific market segments (e.g., corporate banking vs. retail fintech).
• Implementation pathways linking training to ROI metrics like reduced onboarding time for SMEs or increased digital channel adoption rates.
• A pilot roadmap for three Riyadh banks, targeting 25% higher customer satisfaction in digital services within 18 months of implementation.

The role of the Banker in Saudi Arabia Riyadh has transcended transaction processing to become a strategic catalyst for national transformation. This thesis addresses an urgent, under-researched need: equipping the Kingdom’s financial workforce with competencies that drive Vision 2030 from theory into tangible economic outcomes. By centering Riyadh as both subject and context, this research delivers actionable intelligence for SAMA, banks, and policymakers to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s journey toward a diversified economy. The proposed framework will not only elevate the Banker’s professional standing but also cement Riyadh’s status as the dynamic nerve center of a modernized Saudi financial ecosystem – where every trained Banker becomes an agent of national progress.

Keywords: Thesis Proposal, Banker, Saudi Arabia Riyadh, Vision 2030, SAMA Regulations, Fintech Integration, Competency Framework

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