Controllers
C4-1.1.5
A
controller is a natural or legal person who, either alone or with his associates:(a) Holds 10% or more of the issued and paid-up capital in thelicensee orparent undertaking ; or(b) Is able to exercise more than 10% of the voting power over thelicensee or theparent undertaking .Added: January 2022C4-1.1.6
For the purposes of Paragraph C4-1.1.5, ‘associate’ includes:
(a) In the case of natural persons, a member of thecontroller’s family ;(b) If thecontroller is a legal person, aDirector , an employee, a partner of thecontroller , a subsidiary of thecontroller , or aDirector of anysubsidiary undertaking of thecontroller ; and(c) Any other person or undertaking with which thecontroller has entered into an agreement or arrangement as to the acquisition, holding or disposal of shares or other interests in thelicensee , or under which they undertake to act together in exercising their voting power in relation to thelicensee. Added: January 2022C4-1.1.7
Bahraini category 4 investment firms must obtain prior approval from the CBB for any of the following changes to theircontrollers :(a) A newcontroller ;(b) An existingcontroller increasing its holding from 10% to 20%;(c) An existingcontroller increasing its holding from below 20% to 30%;(d) An existingcontroller increasing its holding from below 30% to 40%;(e) An existing controller increasing its holding to above 40% forlicensees not listed on any exchange in Bahrain or abroad; and(f) An existingcontroller reducing its holding to below 10%.Added: January 2022C4-1.1.8
For the purposes of Subparagraph C4-1.1.7(a),
licensees must submit information required in the controller section of Category 4 Investment Firm Authorisation Form (see Part B of the CBB Rulebook Volume 4) and must satisfy the CBB that the newcontroller is suitable and poses no undue risks to thelicensee .Added: January 2022C4-1.1.9
In assessing the suitability of
controllers the CBB will consider the track record of the proposedcontrollers , including adequate experience, financial strength, any record of disciplinary proceedings or conviction by a court or competent authority etc.Added: January 2022C4-1.1.10
Overseas category 4 investment firms must notify the CBB of any new significant ownership in excess of 50% of the issued and paid-up capital of the concernedlicensee’s directparent undertaking as soon as thelicensee becomes aware of the change. Theoverseas category 4 investment firm must provide a copy of the relevant approval by thehome supervisor of the parent (if applicable).Added: January 2022C4-1.1.11
Category 4 investment firms must immediately notify the CBB in case of any material change to the information provided to the CBB for approval for acontroller .Added: January 2022C4-1.1.12
The percentage of direct or indirect control of a natural person or an unregulated legal person in a
Bahraini category 4 investment firm must not exceed one-third of the issued and paid up capital. This limit does not apply to operators of venture capitalCIUs .Added: January 2022