HC-1.1 Responsibilities of the Board
HC-1.1.1
The board of directors (“Board”) of the
licensee must:(a) Set the “tone at the top” and play a leading role in establishing thelicensee’s corporate culture and values, and oversee management’s role in fostering and maintaining a sound corporate and risk culture;(b) Ensure that no individual or group of directors dominates the Board’s decision-making and no individual or group has unfettered powers of decision;(c) Approve and oversee the development of thelicensee’s strategy, business plans and budget, and monitor their implementation;(d) Actively engage in the affairs of thelicensee , keep up with material changes in thelicensee’s business and the external environment and act in a timely manner to protect the long-term interests of thelicensee ;(e) Convene and prepare the agenda for shareholder meetings;(f) Approve, and oversee the implementation of, thelicensee’s governance framework, risk management framework and all policies, and review the relevant parts of these as well as review key controls in case a new business activity is considered, or in case of material changes to thelicensee’s size, complexity, business strategy, markets or regulatory requirements, or the occurrence of a major failure of controls;(g) Establish, along with senior management and the chief risk officer, thelicensee’s risk appetite, considering thelicensee’s strategy, competitive and regulatory landscape, thelicensee’s long-term interests, risk exposure and ability to manage risk effectively, and oversee thelicensee’s adherence to the risk appetite statement, risk policy and risk limits;(h) Ensure that:i. Adequate systems, controls, processes and procedures are implemented by senior management in line with the Board approved policies;ii. Thelicensee has adequate processes to ensure full compliance with the requirements of the CBB Law, other relevant laws and the pertinent rulebooks;iii. Thelicensee has a robust finance function responsible for accounting and financial data;iv. The risk management, compliance and internal audit functions are properly positioned, staffed and resourced and carry out their responsibilities independently, objectively and effectively; andv. Senior management maintains an effective and transparent relationship with the CBB;(i) Approve the annual financial statements and, where applicable, the interim financial statements;(j) At minimum, approve the selection and oversee the performance of the chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer and heads of the risk management, compliance and internal audit functions;(k) Actively oversee the remuneration system’s design and operation forapproved person s and monitor and review executive compensation and assess whether it is aligned with thelicensee’s remuneration policy, risk culture and risk appetite; and(l) Consider the legitimate interests of shareholders and other relevant stakeholders in their decision-making process.Added: July 2023HC-1.1.2
The Board may, where appropriate, delegate some of its functions, but not its responsibilities, to the Board committees.
Added: July 2023HC-1.1.3
The members of the Board must exercise their fiduciary and other duties of care, candor and loyalty to the
licensee in accordance with local laws and regulations.Added: July 2023HC-1.1.4
Each director must:
(a) Understand the Board’s role and responsibilities pursuant to the CBB Rulebook, the Commercial Companies Law and any other laws or regulations that may govern their responsibilities from time to time;(b) Consider themselves as representing all shareholders and must act accordingly; and(c) Ensure that they receive adequate and timely information before each meeting and must study it carefully.Added: July 2023