Back Custom print Link Text Only Rich Text Print

  • BR-A BR-A Introduction

    • BR-A.1 BR-A.1 Purpose

      • Executive Summary

        • BR-A.1.1

          The purpose of this Module is to set out the Central Bank of Bahrain's (CBB') reporting requirements applicable to the banks as part of the CBB's on-going supervision activities.

          Amended: January 2011
          Amended: October 2010
          October 2007

        • BR-A.1.2

          This Module provides support for certain other parts of the Rulebook, mainly:

          (a) Principles of Business;
          (b) Public Disclosure;
          (c) Credit Risk Management;
          (d) Operational Risk Management;
          (e) Financial Crime;
          (f) Capital Adequacy;
          (g) High-Level Controls;
          (h) Business and Market Conduct; and
          (i) Audit Firms.
          Amended: October 2010
          October 2007

        • BR-A.1.3

          Unless otherwise stated, all reports referred to in this Module should be addressed to Banking Supervision Directorate of the CBB.

          Amended: October 2010
          October 2007

      • Legal Basis

        • BR-A.1.4

          This Module contains the CBB's Directive (as amended from time to time) relating to reporting requirements of the CBB and is issued under the powers available to the CBB under Article 38 of the Central Bank of Bahrain and Financial Institutions Law 2006 ('CBB Law'). The Directive in this Module is applicable to conventional bank licensees.

          Amended: January 2011
          October 2007

        • BR-A.1.5

          For an explanation of the CBB's rule-making powers and different regulatory instruments, see Section UG-1.1.

          October 07

    • BR-A.2 BR-A.2 Key Requirements

      • Power to Request Information

        • BR-A.2.1

          In accordance with Article 111 of the CBB Law, all licensed banks must provide all information that the CBB may reasonably request in order to discharge its regulatory obligations.

          Amended: October 2010

      • Regular Reporting — Annual Requirements

        • BR-A.2.2

          All Bahraini Conventional Banks Licensees in the Kingdom of Bahrain are required to submit to the CBB their annual audited financial statements (in compliance with the provisions set out under Section BR-1.1) no later than 3 months of the end of the bank's financial year. In addition, these banks are also required to submit supplementary information (as listed under Section BR-1.1) to the CBB.

          Amended: April 2019
          Amended: October 2010
          April 2008
          October 2007

        • BR-A.2.3

          All Bahrain branches of foreign banks are required to submit to the CBB their annual audited financial statements (in compliance with the provisions set out under Section BR-1.2) no later than the end of 3 months from the financial year end. In addition, these banks are also required to submit supplementary information (as listed under Section BR-1.2) to the CBB.

          Amended: April 2016
          Amended: October 2010
          October 2007

      • Regular Reporting — Semi-annual Requirements

        • BR-A.2.4

          All Bahrain retail branches of foreign banks are required to submit to the CBB their Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Accounts (in compliance with the provisions set out under Section BR-2.1) no later than the end of 2 months from the reporting period end.

          Amended: April 2016
          Amended: April 2011
          Amended: October 2010
          October 2007

      • Regular Reporting — Quarterly Requirements

        • BR-A.2.5

          All Bahraini Conventional Banks Licensees in the Kingdom of Bahrain are required to submit to the CBB the following information on a quarterly basis:

          (a) PIR Forms and auditors reviews thereon (in accordance with the provisions set out under Section BR-3.1); and
          (b) Reviewed (unaudited) quarterly financial statements (in accordance with the provisions set out under Section BR-3.1).
          Amended: April 2019
          Amended: October 2011
          Amended: October 2010
          October 2007

        • BR-A.2.6

          All Bahrain branches of foreign banks are required to submit to the CBB PIR Forms (in accordance with the provisions set out under Section BR-3.2).

          Amended: July 2011
          Amended: October 2010
          October 2007

        • BR-A.2.7

          [This Paragraph was deleted July 2011].

      • Regular Reporting — Monthly Requirements

        • BR-A.2.8

          All banks licensed by the CBB in the Kingdom of Bahrain are required to submit to the CBB monthly statistical returns (as required under Section BR-4.1).

          Amended: January 2011
          Amended: October 2010
          October 2007

        • BR-A.2.8A

          All banks licensed by the CBB in the Kingdom of Bahrain are required to report monthly to the CBB of all payments and transfers of funds amounting to BD 3,000 or above from accounts held by the bank for charitable organisations registered in the Kingdom of Bahrain (as required under Paragraphs BR-4.1.5 and FC-1.6.4).

          Added: October 2011

        • BR-A.2.9

          All Bahraini Conventional Banks Licensees listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange are required to report to the Capital Markets Supervision Directorate of the CBB, on a monthly basis, information relating to their Directors' interests in the shares of Bahraini Conventional Banks Licensees listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange and submit exposures to connected counterparties to Banking Supervision Directorate (in accordance with the provisions set out under Section BR-4.3).

          Amended: April 2019
          Amended: October 2010
          October 2009
          October 2007

      • IIS Reporting Requirements

        • BR-A.2.9A

          All banks licensed by the CBB are required to complete online non-financial information related to their institution by accessing the CBB's institutional information system (IIS) (as required under Section BR-4A.1).

          Amended: April 2012
          Added: January 2011

      • Ad-hoc Reporting and Notification

        • BR-A.2.10

          All banks licensed by the CBB in the Kingdom of Bahrain are required to notify and report to the CBB on the following matters in Section BR-5.1:

          (a) Large exposures;
          (b) Changes in strategy and/or corporate plan;
          (c) Changes in management;
          (d) [This sub-paragraph was deleted in July 2019];
          (e) Appointment of a Compliance Manager/Officer;
          (f) Money laundering and suspicious transactions;
          (g) [This sub-paragraph was deleted in October 2022];
          (h) Authorised signatories;
          (i) Material losses through loan write-offs, fraud or other events;
          (j) Material transfers of assets or liabilities; and
          (k) Enforcement actions imposed by host regulators on overseas subsidiaries and branches.
          Amended: October 2022
          Amended: October 2020
          Amended: July 2019
          Amended: October 2011
          Amended: October 2010
          April 2010
          October 2007

        • BR-A.2.11

          All Bahraini Conventional Banks Licensees are required to give the CBB immediate written notification of any actual breach by such bank of the minimum Risk Asset Ratio(s) (RAR) and to consult with the CBB prior to entering into any term borrowing arrangements (Section BR-5.2).

          Amended: April 2019
          Amended: April 2012
          Amended: October 2010
          October 2007

        • BR-A.2.12

          All retail banks licensed by the CBB in the Kingdom of Bahrain are required to notify the CBB on the introduction of new and expanded customers and products (Section BR-5.3).

          Amended: October 2011
          Amended: October 2010
          October 2007

        • BR-A.2.13

          Conventional bank licensees must clearly indicate the purpose of any communication addressed to the CBB. In cases of lack of response to such communication by the CBB, the licensee must not infer or assume implied acceptance, approval or acknowledgement of the contents of such communication.

          Added: October 2019

    • BR-A.3 BR-A.3 Module History

      • BR-A.3.1

        This Module was first issued in July 2004 by the BMA as part of the conventional principles volume. All regulations in this volume have been effective since this date. Any material changes that have subsequently been made to this Module are annotated with the calendar quarter date in which the change is made: UG-3 provides further details on Rulebook maintenance and version control.

        October 07

      • BR-A.3.2

        When the CBB replaced the BMA in September 2006, the provisions of this Module remained in force. Volume 1 was updated in October 2007 to reflect the switch to the CBB; however, new calendar quarter dates were only issued where the update necessitated changes to actual requirements.

        October 07

      • BR-A.3.3

        The most recent changes made to this Module are detailed in the table below:

        Summary of Changes

        Module Ref.Change DateDescription of Changes
        BR-5.1.1301/04/05Notification of fraud.
        BR-5.101/10/05New threshold for reporting of transfers by charities and prior approval of appointment of compliance officer /manager.
        BR-5.1.401/01/06Addition of contact details to management information details.
        BR-3.3, BR-4.1 & BR-5.1.1401/04/06Revised statistical returns instructions and new notification requirement for material losses.
        BR-3.3 and BR-4.101/07/06Submission of Form SR-6 is a monthly requirement.
        BR-4.101/07/06Deletion of references to precious metals and commodities returns. Transfer of reserve requirements material from BR-4.2 to BR-4.1.
        BR-4.201/07/06Deletion of reserve requirements material (moved to BR-4.1).
        BR-4.1.301/07/06Revised date for submission of statistical forms
        BR-5.1.901/07/06Minor changes reflecting change of Compliance Unit to Directorate
        BR-A.110/2007New Rule BR-A.1.4 introduced categorising this Module as a Directive.
        BR-610/2007New Rule allowing access to premises per the provisions of the CBB Law
        BR-A.2, BR-1.1, BR-4.1, BR-5.204/2008New reporting deadlines, new 7% reserves ratio, new paragraph on reporting of write-offs
        BR-3.1.601/2009New Agreed Upon Procedures report for PIR
        BR-1.101/2009Enhanced guidance on supplementary information and references to annual financial statements
        BR-3.101/2009Reference to consolidated and non-consolidated basis dropped as only 1 PIR form is required.
        BR-4.1.4b07/2009The minimum daily cash reserve balance with the CBB brought back to 5% from 7%.
        BR- A.2 and BR- 4.3.410/2009New reporting arrangements for exposures to connected counterparties.
        BR-A.2.10 and BR-5.1.1604/2010Approval for material transfers of assets or liabilities
        BR-A.2.210/2010Due date changed to 3 months to be consistent in the Rulebook.
        BR-1.1.310/2010Required information updated to be consistent in the Rulebook.
        BR-1.2.510/2010Wording changed to be consistent in the Rulebooks.
        BR-3.1.210/2010Reference to legal entity deleted.
        BR-3.1.310/2010Reference changed to be consistent with IAS and IFRS.
        BR-3.1.410/2010Wording changed to be consistent in the Rulebook.
        BR-3.1.510/2010Changed to Guidance.
        BR-A.2.4, BR-2.1.2 and BR-3.1.810/2010Due date changed to 2 months to be consistent in the Rulebook.
        BR-3.2.5 and BR-5.110/2010References corrected.
        BR10/2010Minor changes to formatting and spelling to be consistent in the Rulebook.
        BR-A.1.401/2011Clarified legal basis.
        BR-A.2.9A01/2011Added reference to IIS Reporting Requirements
        BR-4A01/2011Added new Chapter on other reporting requirements and refer to IIS reporting requirements.
        BR-A.2.404/2011Corrected order or wording.
        BR-1.1.304/2011Added report on controllers required under paragraph GR-5.1.9.
        BR-1.2.3 and BR-3.1.1004/2011Clarified due date.
        BR-4.3.204/2011Corrected reference to licensed exchange.
        BR-4.3.304/2011Clarified reference to calendar days.
        BR-5.1.1, BR-5.1.2 and BR-5.1.304/2011Clarified to whom Rules apply.
        BR-5.1.704/2011Clarified due date for notification.
        BR-5.1.1004/2011Clarified reference to calendar days.
        BR-A.2.7, BR-3.3 and BR-4.107/2011Clarified that all statistical returns must be filed monthly
        BR-1.1.3 (h)07/2011Deleted incorrect cross reference.
        BR-A.2.6 and BR-3.2.207/2011Corrected reference for quarterly reporting by branches of foreign banks.
        BR-5.1.1607/2011Regulation under consultation.
        BR-5.1.1707/2011Added additional notification requirements.
        BR-A.2.5, BR-A.2.8A and BR-A.2.1010/2011Key requirements amended to reflect current reporting requirements.
        BR-A.2.1210/2011Clarified language to be in line with references in BR-5.3 and BC-4.7.
        BR-1.1.3 and BR-2.210/2011Clarification of existing requirement for the Agreed Upon Procedures Report and setting a deadline for the submission of the report.
        BR-3.1.1010/2011This Paragraph was deleted as requirement is now part of Form PIR.
        BR-3.1.12 and BR-3.2.610/2011New requirements for reporting of complaints in accordance with BC-9.7.1.
        BR-4.1.5 and BR-5.1.1510/2011Updated to reflect change in reporting requirement from ad-hoc to monthly.
        BR-610/2011Updated Chapter to be consistent with other Volumes of the Rulebook.
        BR-6.1 and BR-6.401/2012Added Sections to be consistent with other Volumes of the CBB Rulebook.
        BR-A.2.9A04/2012Corrected cross reference.
        BR-1.1.3 and BR-1.1.504/2012Minor amendments.
        BR-1.2.3(d) and BR-1.2.3A04/2012Amended due date of head office's annual audited financial statements.
        BR-2.1.204/2012Clarified what interim semi-annual statements are to be submitted by retail branches of foreign banks.
        BR-A.2.11 and BR-5.2.404/2012Requirement for locally incorporated banks to consult with CBB prior to entering into any term borrowing arrangements.
        BR-5.1.4 and BR-5.1.504/2012Paragraph BR-5.1.4 deleted and BR-5.1.5 amended as any changes to approved persons must receive CBB prior approval as per Paragraph LR-1A.1.23.
        BR-5.3.304/2012Added cross reference to Section BC-6.1 on installation or removal of off-site ATM in Bahrain.
        BR-3.1.707/2012Clarified the exemption status for requirements under Paragraph BR-3.1.6
        BR-5.1.1107/2012Added requirement to provide details of what authorised signatories are authorised to sign for.
        BR-4A.1.101/2013Clarified deadline to update IIS.
        BR-1.1.3(i) and BR-1.1.3A04/2013Clarified due date for report on board meetings to be in line with Paragraph HC-1.3.8.
        BR-5.1.304/2013Amended to clarify that CBB prior approval is required and also added requests for capital increases.
        BR-5.1.1804/2013Added requirement for CBB prior approval before exercising a call on a subordinated debt, in line with Paragraph CA-2.1.5A.
        BR-4A.207/2013Added new Section on reporting requirements for internet security measures.
        BR-1.1.3(l), BR-1.2.3(f), BR-1.3, BR-4A.3 and BR-4A.401/2014New reporting requirements added related to sound remuneration practices for banks.
        BR-4A.2.201/2014Corrected cross reference.
        BR-5.1.701/2014Added notification for any changes in financial instrument traders.
        BR-1.404/2014Added requirement for all retail banks to submit the eligible accounts report for the deposits protection scheme.
        BR-2.204/2014Added requirement for semi-annual report on private placements issued or promoted by banks.
        BR-5.104/2014Amended notification requirements.
        BR-5.204/2014Clarified Rules applicable to Bahraini conventional bank licensees pertaining to SPVs.
        BR-5.3.404/2014Added notification requirement where retail banks receive funds from an NGO where no valid fund collection license was submitted.
        BR-1.3.107/2014Changed due date for Details of remuneration paid report.
        BR-3.1.8A07/2014Added quarterly reporting requirements regarding interim financial statements as per 22 January 2014 ad hoc communication letter.
        BR-3.1.10 to BR-3.1.11A07/2014New quarterly reporting requirements added for details of large exposures and overseas subsidiaries and branches.
        BR-4A.3.107/2014Noted exception to requirement to submit report on the bank's compliance with the remuneration rules.
        BR-1.1.3(e)10/2014Corrected terminology for reporting of restructured loans.
        BR-1.2.310/2014Reference added to new reporting form Appendix BR-21 for non-performing and restructured loans.
        BR-2.310/2014New Section added on semi-annual disclosure requirements for all branches of foreign banks.
        BR-3.1.8A10/2014Reference added to new form Appendix BR-20 for quarterly financial review.
        BR-5.1.18 and BR-5.2.810/2014Clarified that this requirement applies to Bahraini conventional bank licensees, and not to all licensed banks.
        BR-2.1.301/2015Corrected wording of Rule.
        BR-4A.2.101/2015Clarified that Rule is applicable to all banks to be consistent with Section OM-6.2.
        BR-5.2.201/2015Corrected cross reference and terminology.
        BR-5.2.7 to BR-5.2.1101/2015Rules and guidance transferred from Module PCD.
        BR-5.2.1201/2015Corrected cross reference.
        BR-2.2.404/2015Amended deadline for submission of report on private placements to within three months of the reporting period.
        BR-3.1.7A04/2015Existing exemptions in respect of PIR review will cease as at 31st December 2014 for all Bahraini conventional bank licensees.
        BR-4A.307/2015Amended Section to allow for CBB-approved consultancy firm to prepare report on the bank's compliance with the remuneration Rules outlined in Chapter HC-5.
        BR-A.2.3, BR-A.2.4, BR-1.1.2 and BR-1.2.204/2016Clarified due date for financial statements.
        BR-1.104/2016Added Rule regarding submission of draft year-end financial statements and attendance at CBB meeting with supervisory point of contact and external auditor.
        BR-1.1.3A07/2016Guidance provided on reporting requirements dealing with non-operational subsidiaries.
        BR-1.1.3B07/2016Paragraph renumbered.
        BR-1.1.507/2016Requirements aligned with PD-1.2.6.
        BR-1.2.510/2016Amended terminology of annual accounts
        BR-3.1.610/2016Deleted repetition
        BR-1.1.304/2017Added sub-paragraph (m) on CPD requirements.
        BR-1.2.304/2017Added sub-paragraph (g) on CPD requirements.
        BR-4A.504/2017Added a new Section on On-site Inspection Reporting.
        BR-1.1.3(k)07/2017Deleted sub paragraph (k) and relocated to BR-1.1.3C.
        BR-1.1.3B07/2017Amended wording of Paragraph.
        BR-1.1.3C07/2017Added new paragraph to amend submission deadline of agreed upon procedures report.
        BR-4A.4.107/2017Amended submission deadline.
        BR-3.1.9A10/2017Added a new paragraph on submission of Largest Country Exposures.
        BR-1.2.307/2018Amended Paragraph to clarify submission deadline.
        BR-5.1.707/2018Deleted Paragraph.
        BR-1.1.310/2018Added a new sub-paragraph (n) on the Financial Advice Programme/course.
        BR-1.2.310/2018Added a new sub-paragraph (h) on the Financial Advice Programme/course.
        BR-1.1.3(e)04/2019Deleted sub-paragraph.
        BR-1.2.3(b)04/2019Deleted sub-paragraph.
        BR-2.304/2019Deleted Section.
        BR Module04/2019Changed Locally incorporated to Bahraini Conventional Bank Licensees.
        BR-3.1.104/2019Amended Paragraph.
        BR-3.1.7B04/2019Added a new Paragraph on Information required for Annual and Interim Financial Review.
        BR-3.2.5A04/2019Added a new Paragraph on Information required for Annual and Interim Financial Review.
        BR-A.2.1007/2019Deleted sub-paragraph (d).
        BR-4.3.507/2019Added a new Paragraph on new form Appendix BR-23 for Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) Reporting.
        BR-A.2.1310/2019Added a new Paragraph on licensees communications.
        BR-5.2.904/2020Amended sub-paragraph (e).
        BR-5.2.9A04/2020Added a new Paragraph on SPV reporting.
        BR-5.2.9A07/2020Added a new sub-paragraph (c) on credit facilities granted to SPVs.
        BR-A.2.1010/2020Added a new sub-paragraph (k) on ad-hoc reporting and notification.
        BR-2.1.2A07/2021Added a new Paragraph on submission of documents to the CBB prior publishing.
        BR-3.1.7B07/2021Deleted Paragraph.
        BR-3.1.8A07/2021Amended Paragraph on submission of reporting forms.
        BR-3.2.5A07/2021Amended Paragraph on submission of reporting forms for retail branches of foreign banks.
        BR-3.2.5B07/2021New Paragraph on submission of reporting forms for wholesale branches of foreign banks.
        BR-4A.607/2021Added a new Section on Reporting of API performance.
        BR-5.2.607/2021Amended Paragraph on CBB’s prior approval for any proposed capital increase in a subsidiary and for any major changes.
        BR-1.1.301/2022Deleted Sub-paragraph (n).
        BR-1.1.3B01/2022Amended Paragraph on the submission of the Board and Committee annual meetings report.
        BR-1.2.301/2022Deleted Sub-paragraph (h).
        BR-3.1.401/2022Amended Paragraph on the submission of the reporting forms.
        BR-3.2.301/2022Amended Paragraph on the submission of the quarterly reports.
        BR-3.2.5A01/2022Amended Paragraph on the submission of the Information Required for Annual and Interim Financial Review and the PIR forms for retail banks.
        BR-3.2.5B01/2022Amended Paragraph on the submission of the Information Required for Annual and Interim Financial Review and the PIR forms for wholesale banks.
        BR-4.1.301/2022Amended Paragraph removing the submission of a printed copy of the Appendix BR-2.
        BR-4A.5.201/2022Amended Paragraph on the submission of the written assessment of the observations/issues raised in the Inspection draft report.
        BR-5.1.1101/2022Deleted Paragraph.
        BR-3.1.1204/2022Amended Paragraph on reporting of complaints.
        BR-3.2.604/2022Amended Paragraph on reporting of complaints.
        BR-4A.204/2022Deleted Section.
        BR-5.1.1004/2022Deleted Paragraph.
        BR-5.3.304/2022Amended Paragraph on ATMs installation.
        BR-A.2.10(g)10/2022Deleted sub-paragraph.
        BR-5.1.1701/2023Amended Paragraph removing reference to OM.
        BR-1.1.3B04/2023Deleted Paragraph.
        BR-4A.704/2023Added a new Section on Prudential Meeting requirements.
        BR-4A-3.101/2024Amended reference to HC Module.
        BR-4A.6.105/2024Amended Paragraph on open banking reporting requirements.
        BR-4A.6.205/2024Added a new Paragraph on retail banks acting as AISPs and PISPs.

      • Effective Date

        • BR-A-3.4

          The contents in this Module are effective from the date shown at the foot of the page or from the date of changes shown in BR-A.3.3.

          October 07