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General Questions
GENERAL QUESTIONS
What is mada?mada is the new identity of the Saudi Payment Network (SPAN) and the advanced generation of the electronic payments in Saudi Arabia. it connects all automated teller machines (ATMs) and point-of-sale (POS) terminals throughout the country to a central payment switch that in turn re-routes the financial transactions between a merchant’s bank and the card issuer bank.
What is mada card and how it works?
What is mada card and how it works?mada card is a debit card issued by local banks that allows a cardholder to access funds in their accounts. And it works in the same mechanism of regular ATMS cards with newer standards of security and added-value features.
What is the scope of using mada?
What is the scope of using mada?mada can be used in all automated teller machines (ATMs) and point-of-sale (POS) terminals offered by local banks throughout the country. Additionally, it can also be used regionally and globally through connecting with other payment systems such as GCC Net, VISA, MasterCard, and American Express to provide mada cardholders with a wider acceptance locally and overseas
What are the new features of mada cards?
What are the new features of mada cards?- Increased daily transaction limit on POS terminals from SAR 20,000 to SAR 60,000.
- Convenience to benefit from Naqd service to withdraw cash from merchants’ cash supply in outlets. Click here for more information on Naqd service.
- A seven-fold enhanced capacity in comparison to the previous generation.
- An unprecedented standard of enhanced transactions speed and performance.
- A wider reach of usage.
- Instant SMS notifications to cardholders on any cash withdrawals or POS transactions.
What is Naqd service?
What is Naqd service?This service allows customers to request a cash amount of up to SAR 400 right at point of-sale terminals compatible with mada standards. There is no need to visit the ATM, the cash amount will be deducted directly from your personal bank account along with your purchase amount.
Where is Naqd service available?
Where is Naqd service available?All mada debit cards technically support this feature. Cardholders may need to activate the service by calling the issuer bank before using it through subscribed merchants whom are recognized by the "Naqd servie is available here" sticker.
What is atheer Service?
What is atheer Service?atheer is a value-added service for mada that allows cardholders to make their purchase payments in a safe, easy and fast manner simply by waving the card in front of the PoS terminal. mada cardholders can use this service for any single purchase amount that is less than 100 SAR. Cardholders may be asked to enter their PIN occasionally for extra security.
Where is atheer Service Available?
Where is atheer Service Available?atheer is available at merchant locations that have requested service activation from their banks.Merchants whom accept atheer can be known through the service sticker displayed at cashiers.
CLIENTS TO BANKS
CLIENTS TO BANKS
How can I have my new mada debit card?Your bank will either replace your current SPAN card or will issue a new card ( if you currently do not have a SPAN card) upon your request
Can I use my mada card outside KSA?
Can I use my mada card outside KSA?Yes. using of mada cards is permissible regionally within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) through GCCnet, and globally when the card is co-branded with other global payment systems such as “Visa”, “MasterCard”, “Cirrus”, “Plus”, and “Maestro”.
Do I have to pay extra fees to receive my mada card?
Do I have to pay extra fees to receive my mada card?No. The bank will issue mada card when opening a new account and renewing card free of charge in accordance to SAMA’s rules and regulations.
Is there any extra cost of using Naqd service?
Is there any extra cost of using Naqd service?No. The service is completely free of charge for both merchants -on the cash part- and cardholders.
Is Naqd service available only in Saudi Riyal ?
Is Naqd service available only in Saudi Riyal ?Yes, cash given away is only in Saudi Riyals.
?Can I perform Naqad service transactions using credit cards like Visa and MasterCards?
Can I perform Naqad service transactions using credit cards like Visa and MasterCards?No. Naqd service is only avilable to mada cards
?What is the maximum & the minimum cash amounts Naqd service can give me?
What is the maximum & the minimum cash amounts Naqd service can give me?The maximum cash amount that can be claimed per day is SR 400 and the minimum is SR 1.
Is there a limit on the number of Naqd transactions on my mada card?
Is there a limit on the number of Naqd transactions on my mada card?No as long as the accumulated amount of cash received during the day is SR 400.
How can I differentiate between the purchase transaction amount and the cash (Naqd) amount in the PoS recipt?
How can I differentiate between the purchase transaction amount and the cash (Naqd) amount in the PoS recipt?in the PoS receipt it will appear as the following:
Purchase amount: SR XX
Cashback amount: SR XX
Total amount: SR XX
How can I get mada atheer card?
How can I get mada atheer card?You can get mada atheer card by contacting your bank either by requesting it or when you renew your mada payment card.
How do I use my mada atheer card?
How do I use my mada atheer card?- Look for atheer symbol when paying for items up to the value of SAR 100
- Touch your atheer card against the symbol until the lights turn green
- A beep tone indicates successful payment. For extra security you may occasionally be asked to enter your PIN
Do Naqd transactions appear in bank statements?
Do Naqd transactions appear in bank statements?Yes. Transactions through this service appear on bank statements of both merchants and cardholders
Are there any charging fees for using atheer service?
Are there any charging fees for using atheer service?No. atheer service is free for cardholders and merchant can activate at no cost.
What do I do if I lose my card?
What do I do if I lose my card?In cases where mada card is lost or stolen, contact your bank directly to report the incident and to have a new mada card issued for you.
Is there any fees on paying for purchases through POS terminals ?
Is there any fees on paying for purchases through POS terminals ?No. making payments through POS erminals is completely free of charge on cardholders.
How can I file a claim on any POS surcharging from merchants ?
How can I file a claim on any POS surcharging from merchants ?The commercial sector is supervised by the Ministry of Commerce and Investment, and complaints can be filed through the ministry’s website.
Is there a limit on the number of times to make payments through POS ?
Is there a limit on the number of times to make payments through POS ?No. No limit is set on the frequency of using your bank card as long as the accumulated amount of purchases equal or below SAR 60,000.
What are the benefits of atheer service for both merchants & cardholders?
What are the benefits of atheer service for both merchants & cardholders?For Cardholders:
• A fast, safe, and convenient payment channel for low value purchases.
For Merchants:
• Serving customers in a faster manner.
• Reducing the amount of cash at the outlet.
• Reducing regular cash handling costs.
• Reducing the need to make small donations available.
• Encouraging cardholders to revisit merchants locations.
Do atheer transactions appear on bank statements for merchant & cardholder?
Do atheer transactions appear on bank statements for merchant & cardholder?Yes. Bank statements for both merchant and cardholder will include indicate transactions conducted through this service.
Is atheer service available internationally?
Is atheer service available internationally?Yes, the cardholder will be able to use this payment technology outside the kingdom subject to the payment systems rules governing the other country.
Is there a risk if I lose my mada card that has atheer service enabled?
Is there a risk if I lose my mada card that has atheer service enabled?Yes. Cardholder will be responsible for purchase transactions done without the need to enter the PIN. It’s worth highlighting that the cardholder should receive an SMS message on his mobile for any transaction. Also, we always recommend that the cardholder inform his banks immediately once his card has been lost or stolen.
Will mada card be charged if cardholder is standing by someone who is paying through atheer service?
Will mada card be charged if cardholder is standing by someone who is paying through atheer service?No, as merchant need to input the value amount into the terminal plus the card needs to be waved in a very close proximity to the reader for the transaction to be happen.
What if mada atheer card gets lost or stolen?
What if mada atheer card gets lost or stolen?Cardholder must contact the bank immediately and report the lost or stolen card.
BANK BUSINESS CLIENTS
BANK BUSINESS CLIENTS
How does mada benefit merchants and business owners?- Benefit from the increased daily purchase limit made by cards to SAR 60,000.
- Reduction of the costs associated with cash transactions in terms of time needed to count them, validate paper notes genuinty, and need to always have smaller bank notes available.
- Limit of risks and human errors related to processes of daily inventories and revenues, and accounting bookkeeping.
- Less burden on daily cash collections processes and the hazard to transit funds and deposit it with banks.
- A better position to monitor payment inflows coming into the business and the ability to track sales transactions through different kinds of statements provided by their bank.
- High tendency for sales volumes and values to increase with the growing number of debit cards in the community.
- Speed and convenience in completing purchase transactions in connection to around the clock help service to ensure quality of service.
- Benefit from banks exclusive offers and rewards programs.
Does the outlet have the right to levy merchant charges (surcharge) on the cardholder when pay through POS ?
Does the outlet have the right to levy merchant charges (surcharge) on the cardholder when pay through POS ?No. It is illegal practice and in case occurred then it is a violation of the applicable rules and policies that entail the merchant to its consequences.
After installing a POS terminal with the mada logo, will I still be able to accept payments made using SPAN debit card ?
After installing a POS terminal with the mada logo, will I still be able to accept payments made using SPAN debit card ?Yes. The terminal will accept wither SPAN or mada debit cards
What is POS reconciliation?
What is POS reconciliation?Merchants perform the reconciliation activity to ultimately deposit the payments processed during the day into their bank accounts. This process is ideally performed daily when the sales cycle is done.
What is the Merchant Service Agreement (MSA)?
What is the Merchant Service Agreement (MSA)?It is a mutually signed document that defines the responsibilities of merchants and the bank detailing all elements in relation to the POS service being offered.
Who are the Merchant Service Providers (MSPs)?
Who are the Merchant Service Providers (MSPs)?A merchant service provider (MSP) is a 3rd party agent assigned by the merchants’ banks in accordance to SAMA procedures to provide a full suite of merchant services and support within the context of POS installation and on-going maintenance.
What are the value benefits that merchants are entitled to by banks whom provide POS service?
What are the value benefits that merchants are entitled to by banks whom provide POS service?- Exemption from installation fees.
- Exemption from terminal fees.
- Exemption from monthly fees.
- Provision of maintenance and help desk around the clock.
What are the types of POS connectivity available?
What are the types of POS connectivity available?Depending on your business sector, your bank will tailor your POS device to suit your business needs through different connectivity options (mobile (GPRS), dial-up, Internet Protocol (IP)) and a wide choice of POS models.
Does the bank have a right to charge merchants for the POS service?
Does the bank have a right to charge merchants for the POS service?POS service has been offered by banks with specific fees. After all, this fees is subject to the commercial contract signed by both sides. The fees interchange model was recalculated to be in line with global best practices. As a result, acquiring banks are permitted to levy a maximum of 0.80% of purchase value for each transaction up to an Merchant Service Charge (MSC) of SAR 40 (maximum) applies.
How is the Merchant Service Charge MSC calculated –if applicable- ?
How is the Merchant Service Charge MSC calculated –if applicable- ?MSC is calculated (if applicable) on the basis of the transaction value, For example:
Example (1): if a customer (cardholder) used his debit card to pay for goods worth SR 35, then the merchant may be entitled to pay his bank an amount of SR 0.28 only for the service. Customer won’t pay any other fees for using his card to pay.
Example (2): if a customer (cardholder) used his debit card to pay for goods worth SR 20,000, then the merchant may be entitled to pay his bank an amount of SR 40 only for the service. Customer won’t pay any other fees for using his card to pay.
What is the process to have a mada POS terminal installed in my store?
What is the process to have a mada POS terminal installed in my store?If you already provide the POS service you may contact your bank directly to upgrade it with mada standards or to enquire on when the bank will approach you to do so. If you want to provide the service for the first time, you can choose to do so through any of the banks listed under the Merchants tab.
Can atheer transactions be canceled after going through?
Can atheer transactions be canceled after going through?Yes, atheer transaction can be canceled similar to all other mada transactions.
When cardholder mistakenly waves his card more than once at the PoS terminal, is this considered more than one transaction?
When cardholder mistakenly waves his card more than once at the PoS terminal, is this considered more than one transaction?No. the terminal will only accept payment once in this scenario.