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  • Regulated Legal Persons

    • GR-5.3.5

      The percentage of direct or indirect control of a regulated legal person in a Bahraini investment firm licensee must not exceed 40% of the issued and paid up capital.

      Added: October 2015

    • GR-5.3.6

      The 40% limit referred to in Paragraph GR-5.3.5 does not apply to Bahraini investment firm licensees not listed on a licensed exchange or an exchange abroad, or to mergers or acquisitions which have been approved by the CBB.

      Added: October 2015

    • GR-5.3.7

      Subject to the discretion of the CBB, regulated financial institutions may be allowed to own or control holdings of voting capital of listed licensees in excess of the abovementioned 40% level, if such control is not detrimental to the licensee, Bahrain s financial sector and the national interest of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

      Added: October 2015

    • GR-5.3.8

      Regulated financial institutions wishing to acquire more than 40% of the voting capital of a Bahraini investment firm licensee must observe the criteria set forth in Guidance GR-5.3.4 related to unregulated legal persons, in addition to the conditions set forth under Guidance GR-5.3.9.

      Added: October 2015

    • GR-5.3.9

      In assessing the suitability of controllers who are regulated legal persons, the CBB will consider the following:

      (a) The person must be subject to effective consolidated supervision by a supervisory authority which effectively implements the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision Core Principles, or the IOSCO Core Principles or the IAIS Core Principles as well as the FATF Recommendations on Money Laundering and the financing of terrorism & proliferation;
      (b) The home supervisor of the person must give its formal written prior approval for (or otherwise raise no objection to) the proposed acquisition of the Bahraini investment firm licensee;
      (c) The home supervisor of the person must confirm to the CBB that it will require the person to consolidate the activities of the concerned Bahraini investment firm licensee for regulatory and accounting purposes if the case so requires;
      (d) The home supervisor of the person must formally agree to the exchange of customer information between the person and its prospective Bahraini subsidiary/acquisition for AML/CFT purposes and for Large Exposures monitoring purposes;
      (e) The home supervisor of the person and the CBB must conclude a Memorandum of Understanding in respect of supervisory responsibilities, exchange of information and mutual inspection visits; and
      (f) The person must provide an acceptably worded letter of guarantee to the CBB in respect of its obligation to support the licensee, should such letter be requested.
      Added: October 2015