RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) has directed banks to extend the validity of ATM cards that are expired or about-to-expire until June 2. Banks are now required to explore the solutions required for card renewal, which are to be delivered to their customers by all available means. SAMA has also decided to extend the suspension of freezing bank accounts due to the expiration of a customer’s national identity documents or in the case of an inactive account. The extended suspension also includes bank accounts of legal persons and the authority of signatory parties for reasons related to the expiry of the identity card. This includes instances where the commercial register could not be renewed due to the expiry of the identification document or the expiry of the identification of the authorized delegated person until further notice.  This initiative is part of SAMA’s efforts to deal with the repercussions of the coronavirus disease and to help customers overcome difficulties with the benefit of banking services amid these exceptional circumstances.