GR-1.1 GR-1.1 General Requirements
GR-1.1.1
The requirements in Chapter GR-1 apply in full to
Bahraini insurance licensees . The requirements in Chapter GR-1 also apply tooverseas insurance licensees , but only with respect to the business booked in their branch in Bahrain and the records of that branch.GR-1.1.2
All
insurance licensees must maintain books and records (whether in electronic or hard copy form) sufficient to produce financial statements and show a complete record of the business undertaken by a licensee, including records sufficient to verify the identity ofcustomers . These records must be retained for at least 10 years according to Article 60 of the CBB Law.Amended: October 2018
Amended: January 2007GR-1.1.3
For those
insurance firms granted grandfathering provisions as per Paragraph AU-1.1.15, separate books and records must be maintained in respect of both general andlong-term insurance business . The transactions relating to each kind of business must be maintained separately. Theinsurance firm must maintain such accounting and other records as necessary to identify all assets and liabilities in respect of each kind of business.Amended: January 2007GR-1.1.4
Unless otherwise agreed to with the CBB in writing, records must be kept in either English or Arabic. Any records kept in other languages must be accompanied by a certified English or Arabic translation. Records must be kept current. The records must be sufficient to allow an audit of the licensee's business or an on-site examination of the licensee by the CBB.
Amended: January 2007GR-1.1.4A
Translations produced in compliance with Rule GR-1.1.4 may be undertaken in-house, by an employee or contractor of the licensee, providing they are certified by an appropriate officer of the licensee.
Added: January 2007GR-1.1.5
For
captive insurers , the maintenance of books and records may be carried out by aninsurance manager . Should this be the case, thecaptive insurer must ensure that the CBB has access to these records at any time. In addition, these records must be sufficient to allow an audit or an on-site examination by the CBB of thecaptive insurer .Amended: January 2007GR-1.1.6
Records must be accessible at any time from within the Kingdom of Bahrain, or as otherwise agreed with the CBB in writing.
Amended: January 2007GR-1.1.7
Where older records have been archived, or in the case of records relating to overseas branches of
Bahraini insurance licensees , the CBB may accept that records be accessible within a reasonably short time frame (e.g. within 5 business days), instead of immediately. The CBB may also agree similar arrangements foroverseas insurance licensees , as well asBahraini insurance licensees , where elements of record retention and management have been centralised in another group company, whether inside or outside of Bahrain.Added: January 2007