Madkhol Financial Unveils “Ratibi+” to Merge Saving and Investing for Workforce

Madkhol Financial, licensed by Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority, has introduced a new programme called Ratibi+ during its appearance at the Money20/20 fintech event. The scheme aims to integrate employee savings with managed investment to enhance staff retention and job stability.

Under Ratibi+, a portion of an employee’s salary will be automatically funneled into an investment portfolio. The employer will make matching contributions, contingent on a vesting schedule defined by company policy. Saad Al-Atiyan, co-founder and CEO of Madkhol, described it as more than a savings plan: “a true partnership between the company and its employees,” he said, noting Ratibi+ is intended to reshape employer-employee relations by fostering a culture of saving and investing, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.

Madkhol, which already operates as a robo-advisory platform offering wealth-management tools and automated investment rebalancing, is leveraging its existing infrastructure to support Ratibi+. The platform is Shariah-compliant and has been active in promoting financial literacy and inclusive access to investment solutions.

Employers adopting Ratibi+ will set vesting periods that determine when matching employer contributions fully belong to employees. This mechanism is designed to tie benefits to tenure, encouraging employee loyalty and reducing turnover. For employees, Ratibi+ offers an opportunity to build supplemental income for retirement or other long-term goals, combining disciplined saving with the potential for investment growth.

In Saudi Arabia, demand has been growing for employer-sponsored savings and benefits schemes. While traditional pensions and social insurance exist, many companies are exploring additional ways to attract and retain talent amid tight labour markets and shifting expectations among younger professionals. Ratibi+ aligns with that trend, offering a model that blends financial planning with employment incentives. Analysts note that tech-enabled financial wellness products are becoming a key differentiator for employers in the Gulf region.

Regulatory oversight will be critical for Ratibi+ to succeed. Madkhol’s CMA licence and proper vetting will matter, particularly for the investment portfolios into which employees’ funds are poured. Questions remain about minimum contribution amounts, fees, risk profiles, how Shariah compliance will be maintained over investment options, and how employers will communicate these to staff. Observers also point to the importance of transparency in the vesting schedules and how matching contributions are treated under Saudi tax and employment law.