• GR-1.1 GR-1.1 General Requirements

    • GR-1.1.1

      In accordance with Articles 59 of the CBB Law, all investment firm 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. These records must be retained for at least ten years according to Article 60 of the CBB Law.

      Amended: July 2010
      Amended: July 2007

    • GR-1.1.2

      GR-1.1.1 includes accounts, books, files and other records (e.g. trial balance, general ledger, nostro/vostro statements, reconciliations, list of counterparties). It also includes records that substantiate the value of the assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet activities of the licensee (e.g. client activity files and valuation documentation).

      Amended: July 2007

    • GR-1.1.3

      Separately, Bahrain Law currently requires other transaction records to be retained for at least five years (see Ministerial Order No. 23 of 2002, Article 5(2), made pursuant to the Amiri Decree Law No. 4 of 2001).

      Amended: April 2013
      Added: July 2010

    • GR-1.1.4

      Unless otherwise agreed to by the CBB in writing, records must be kept in either English or Arabic. Any records kept in languages other than English or Arabic 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: July 2010
      Amended: July 2007

    • GR-1.1.5

      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.

      Amended: July 2010
      Amended: July 2007

    • Location of Books and Records

      • GR-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: July 2010
        Amended: July 2007

      • GR-1.1.7

        Where older records have been archived, or in the case of records relating to overseas branches of Bahraini investment firm licensees, the CBB may accept that records be accessible within a reasonably short time frame (eg. within 5 business days), instead of immediately. The CBB may also agree similar arrangements for overseas investment firm licensees, as well as Bahraini investment firm licensees, where elements of record retention and management have been centralised in another group company, whether inside or outside of Bahrain.

        Amended: July 2010
        Amended: July 2007

      • GR-1.1.8

        Paragraphs GR-1.1.1 to GR-1.1.7 apply to Bahraini investment firm licensees, with respect to all its business activities. These requirements also apply to overseas investment firm licensees, but only with respect to the business booked in their branch in Bahrain.

        Amended: July 2010