Saudi women just took over 3 top financial posts in the kingdom

Not one, not two, but three women have taken on powerful financial roles in Saudi Arabia in the past week. 

Change is happening in the kingdom and these are some of the women leading the way.

Last week, Sarah Al Suhaimi was appointed as head of the Saudi stock exchange, making international headlines as the first woman to ever chair Tadawul. 

Tadawul - which is currently worth $439 billion - is considered to be the Arab world's largest stock exchange. 

At present, Suhaimi is the CEO of NCB Capital Co, the investment banking unit of the National Commercial Bank. 

She was the first female to head a Saudi investment bank when appointed in 2014. She is expected to keep her position there alongside her new role.

Rania Mahmoud Nashar was also just named as the CEO of Samba Financial Group on Monday.

Nashar is just the second woman to make it to the top of a major finance-industry in the kingdom. Having worked in the financial sector for nearly two decades, including management positions with Samba, Nashar is more than qualified for the promotion.

Samba is one of the region's largest and highest acclaimed financial groups. In 2011, it was ranked as one of the safest banks in the Middle East.

Also this week, Latifa Al-Sabhan was appointed as chief financial officer of Arab National Bank. 

The bank is one of the top ten largest in the Middle East. It's largest shareholder is Arab Bank, which is based in Amman.

Under Riyadh's ambitious Vision 2030, championed by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom is looking towards serious changes and reforms.

The national transformation plan aims to create jobs, implement taxes, cut subsidies and diversify the kingdom's economy. Officials have warned that if the plan wasn't followed, the kingdom would face bankruptcy within a few years.

Enhancing women's participation in business and education is a key part of the plan. Although women serve in powerful government roles and take the lead in many businesses, male guardians still play a significant legal role in women's lives.

The kingdom is infamously also the only country in the world where women are not allowed to drive. 

But, despite the problems, Saudi women have made significant gains in recent years. The kingdom has amended a number of laws in an effort to empower its female population. In 2015, women were granted the right to vote and to participate in municipal elections. Some 18 women won in elections across the kingdom that same year, as Saudi women cast their ballots for the first time in modern history.

These three women taking on powerful financial roles serve as another positive step forward for Saudi women.