Licensing Process and Timelines
AU-5.1.12
By law, the 60 day time limit referred to in Paragraph AU-5.1.2 only applies once the application is complete and all required information (which may include any clarifications requested by the CBB) and documents have been provided. This means that all the items specified in Rule AU-5.1.5 have to be provided, before the CBB may issue a license.
Amended: July 2007AU-5.1.12A
The CBB recognises, however, that applicants may find it difficult to secure suitable senior management (refer AU-5.1.5(b) above) in the absence of preliminary assurances regarding the likelihood of obtaining a license.
Amended: July 2010
Adopted: July 2007AU-5.1.12B
Therefore, applicants may first submit an unsigned Form 1 in draft, together with as many as possible of the items specified in Rule AU-5.1.5. This draft application should contain at least items AU-5.1.5(a); AU-5.1.5(b), with respect to proposed
Directors (but not necessarily senior management); AU-5.1.5(c); AU-5.1.5(d); and AU-5.1.5(g) to AU-5.1.5(m) inclusive.Amended: July 2010
Adopted: July 2007AU-5.1.12C
On the basis of the information specified in Paragraph AU-5.1.12B, the CBB may provide an initial 'in principle' confirmation that the applicant appears likely to meet the CBB's licensing requirements, subject to the remaining information and documents being assessed as satisfactory. The 'in principle' confirmation will also list all outstanding documents required before an application can be considered complete and subject to formal consideration.
Adopted: July 2007AU-5.1.12D
An 'in principle' confirmation does not constitute a license approval, nor does it commit the CBB to issuing a license. However, it provides sufficient assurance for an applicant to complete certain practical steps, such as securing suitable executive staff that satisfy CBB's 'fit and proper' requirements. Once this has been done, the applicant may finalise its application, by submitting the remaining documents required under Rule AU-5.1.1 and, once assessed as complete by the CBB, a signed and dated final version of Form 1. However, a Bahraini company proposing to undertake financial services activities would not be eligible to obtain a Commercial Registration from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce unless it receives the final approval from the CBB.
Amended: July 2010
Amended: April 2008
Adopted: July 2007AU-5.1.12E
Regardless of whether an applicant submits a draft application or not, all potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the CBB at an early stage to discuss their plans, for guidance on the CBB's license categories and associated requirements. The Licensing Directorate would normally expect to hold at least one pre-application meeting with an applicant, prior to receiving an application (either in draft or in final).
Amended: April 2018
Adopted: July 2007AU-5.1.12F
Potential applicants should initiate pre-application meetings in writing, setting out a short summary of their proposed business and any issues or questions that they may have already identified, once they have a clear business proposition in mind and have undertaken their preliminary research. The Central Bank can then guide the applicant on the specific areas in the Rulebook that will apply to them and the relevant requirements that they must address in their application.
Adopted: July 2007AU-5.1.12G
At no point should an applicant hold themselves out as having been licensed by the CBB, prior to receiving formal written notification of the fact in accordance with Rule AU-5.1.12H below. Failure to do so may constitute grounds for refusing an application and result in a contravention of Articles 40 and 41 of the CBB Law (which carries a maximum penalty of BD 1 million).
Adopted: July 2007
