Executive Summary

Legal Basis

Evolution of Module

Superseded Requirements

EN-B.1.1

The contents of this Module mostly consist of Guidance material, explaining the different measures that the CBB can employ to ensure compliance with Volume 5 (Specialised Licensees). Certain Rules, applicable to specialised licensees, are however contained in Paragraphs EN-B.3.1, EN-B.4.5, EN-2.2.4, EN-2.2.10, EN-5.2.2 and EN-8.2.4 and Sections EN-2.4 and EN-2.5.

EN-B.1.2

Chapters EN-1 to EN-9 of this Module are generally relevant to specialised licensees. In the case of overseas specialised licensees, the CBB's enforcement powers apply only to the branch operating in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

EN-B.1.3

In addition, Chapters EN-8 and EN-9 of this Module are relevant to approved persons.

EN-B.1.4

Section EN-5 dealing with financial penalties is applicable to specialised licensees as well as to persons referred to in paragraph (b) of Article (68 bis 1) of the CBB Law.

EN-B.2.1

The CBB favours an open, pragmatic and collaborative relationship with authorised persons, within the boundaries set by the CBB Law and Rulebook. Whilst the CBB wishes to avoid a legalistic and confrontational style of supervision, it believes that effective supervision requires effective and timely enforcement of its requirements. Should authorised persons fail to cooperate, then the CBB will use the means described in this Module to achieve compliance.

EN-B.2.2

In the CBB's view, it is generally neither practical nor effective to prescribe in detail the exact regulatory response for each and every potential contravention. There are a large number of potential contraventions. Moreover, individual circumstances are unlikely to be identical in all cases, and may warrant different responses.

EN-B.2.3

In deciding any given supervisory response, the CBB will nonetheless consistently assess the individual circumstance of each contravention against the principles described in this Module. The CBB's overall approach is to take into account:

EN-B.2.4

Such an approach reduces the risk of inappropriate enforcement actions, by allowing regulatory measures to be tailored to individual circumstances. By taking into account an authorised person's compliance record and attitude, it also creates positive incentives and encourages an open and collaborative approach. By assessing individual cases against the same broad principles, the CBB also aims to achieve an overall consistency in its regulatory actions.

EN-B.2.5

Underlying the CBB's approach outlined in Paragraph EN-B.2.3 is the fundamental principle of proportionality. The enforcement measures contained in this Module are of varying severity, and will be used accordingly in keeping with the CBB's assessment of the contravention. Thus, the CBB will reserve its most serious enforcement measures – such as cancellation of license or withdrawal of "fit and proper" status – for the most serious contraventions.

EN-B.2.6

In keeping with the proportionality principle, and to the extent consistent with the CBB's enforcement approach in Paragraph EN-B.2.3, the CBB will usually opt for the least severe of appropriate enforcement measures. In most cases, the CBB expects to use a Formal Warning before resorting to more severe measures; the need for further measures will then usually be dependent on the response of the authorised person concerned.

EN-B.2.7

Where a significant element of judgement is required to assess compliance with a requirement, the CBB will usually discuss the matter with the authorised person concerned, before using one of this Module's enforcement mechanisms. This is likely to be the case, for example, with respect to requirements for adequate systems and controls. Conversely, where there are clear-cut contraventions of CBB requirements, then the CBB will usually move immediately to one or more of the enforcement mechanisms outlined in this Module. This is more likely to occur in cases where quantitative requirements – such as those relating to capital and/or large exposures – are concerned. In most such cases, though, the CBB also expects to continue an active dialogue with the authorised person concerned, aimed at remedying the contravention.

EN-B.2.8

Except in the limited circumstances outlined below, the CBB will usually only apply an enforcement measure after the authorised person concerned has been given a suitable opportunity to make representations. In the case of measures described in Chapters EN-6 and EN-7, certain procedures are set out in the CBB Law.

EN-B.2.9

In extreme circumstances, where the CBB believes that immediate action is required to prevent real damage to Bahrain's financial markets, its users or to customers of the licensee concerned, it may amend or cancel a license, place a licensee under administration, or suspend a license (cf. Articles 48(g), 130(b) and 131 of the CBB Law).

EN-B.3.1

To help the CBB achieve the purpose of this Module, specialised licensees may not enter into or make a claim under a contract of insurance that is intended to, or has the effect of, indemnifying them from the financial penalties provided for in this Module.

EN-B.4.1

The CBB will not as a matter of general policy publicise individual cases when it uses the measures described in Chapters EN-2 to EN-5, and EN-8. However, in such cases the CBB may inform (where relevant) an authorised person's external auditor and – in the case of licensees with overseas operations – relevant overseas regulators.

EN-B.4.2

In exceptional circumstances, as allowed by Article 132 of the CBB Law, the CBB may decide to publicise individual cases when the measures set out in Chapters EN-2 to EN-5 and EN-8 are used, where there is a strong case that doing so would help achieve the CBB's supervisory objectives. In such instances, the CBB will usually allow the licensee or person concerned the opportunity to make representations to the CBB before a public statement is issued.

EN-B.4.3

Without prejudice to the above policy, the CBB may from time to time publish aggregate information on its use of enforcement measures, without identifying the licensees or persons concerned, unless their identities have previously been disclosed as provided for in Paragraphs EN-B.4.1 or EN-B.4.2.

EN-B.4.4

By their nature, the penalties in Chapters EN-6, EN-7 and EN-9 are public acts, once applied. The CBB will in these instances generally issue a public statement explaining the circumstances of the case.

EN-B.4.5

If a financial penalty is imposed on a specialised licensee under the provision of Chapter EN-5, and it is subject to the requirements of Module PD (Public Disclosure) or Module BR (CBB Reporting Requirements), then the specialised licensee must disclose in the manner prescribed by Module PD or BR the amount of any financial penalties imposed by the CBB, together with a factual description of the reasons given by the CCB for the penalty.

EN-B.4.6

Specialised licensees subject to a CBB enforcement measure (with the exception of formal requests for information) must inform their external auditor of the fact.

EN-1.1.1

As part of its on-going supervision, under Articles 111 and 123 of the CBB Law, the CBB may specifically request information or temporary reporting from a licensee or individual. Recipients of such requests are bound to respond to such requests under the terms of their license.

EN-1.2.1

To clearly identify formal information requests, these will always be made in writing, under signature of a Director or more senior official of the CBB. They will include the statement, "This is a formal request for information as defined in Chapter 1 of Module EN of Volume 5 of the CBB Rulebook"; and will state the deadline by which the information is to be communicated to the CBB.

EN-1.2.2

Failure to respond to such formal requests within the deadline set will be viewed as a significant breach of regulatory requirements and may result in a formal warning or other enforcement measure, specified under Articles 163 and 170 of the CBB Law, as decided by the CBB depending on the circumstances of the case.

EN-1.2.3

The deadline set in the request will vary depending on individual circumstances. A recipient may submit a case for an extension to the deadline; it should do so as soon as possible if it believes that an extension will be required, and in any event prior to the passing of the original deadline. Unless otherwise directed by the CBB, the original deadline remains valid pending consideration by the CBB of a request for an extension. The CBB will respond before the original deadline has passed; if it fails to do so, then the requested extension will apply. Whilst waiting for a reply, the recipient must assume that the original deadline will apply.

EN-1.2.4

The above procedures do not prevent individual CBB supervisors from making oral requests for information as part of their day-to-day interaction with authorised persons. The CBB expects authorised persons to maintain their cooperative response to such requests; however, in the interests of clarity, the CBB will not view failures to respond to oral requests as a breach of regulatory requirements.

EN-2.1.1

Articles 121 to 123 of the CBB Law empowers the CBB to order investigations of licensees, in order to help it assess a licensee's compliance with the provisions of the CBB Law. Such investigations may be carried out either by its own officials or appointed experts. Articles 111 and 124 require licensees to make available to the CBB's inspectors and appointed experts their books and other records, and to provide all relevant information within the time limits deemed reasonable by the inspectors and/or appointed experts.

EN-2.1.2

Articles 163 and 170 of the CBB Law provide for criminal sanctions where false or misleading statements are made to the CBB, or an investigation by the CBB is otherwise obstructed (see Section EN-9.3).

EN-2.2.1

The CBB uses its own inspectors to undertake on-site examinations of licensees as an integral part of its regular supervisory efforts. In addition, the CBB may commission special investigations of licensees in order to help it assess their compliance with CBB requirements, as contained in Article 121 of the CBB Law. Such investigations may be carried out either by the CBB's own officials, by duly qualified experts appointed for the purpose by the CBB ('appointed experts'), or a combination of the two.

EN-2.2.2

Failure by licensees to cooperate fully with the CBB's inspectors, or its appointed experts or to respond to their examination reports within the time limits specified, will be treated as demonstrating a material lack of cooperation with the CBB which will result in other enforcement measures being considered, as described elsewhere in this Module. This guidance is supported by Article 114(a) of the CBB Law.

EN-2.2.3

The CBB may appoint an individual or a firm as an appointed expert. Examples of appointed experts are lawyers and expert witnesses. The appointment of appointed experts is not necessarily indicative of a contravention of CBB requirements or suspicion of such a contravention. For instance, an appointed expert may be commissioned to provide an expert opinion on a technical matter.

EN-2.2.4

Appointed experts report in a form and within a scope defined by the CBB, and are solely responsible to the CBB for the work they undertake in relation to the investigation concerned. The report produced by the appointed experts is the property of the CBB (but is usually shared by the CBB with the firm concerned). The cost of the appointed experts' work must be borne by the licensee concerned.

EN-2.2.5

In selecting an appointed expert, the CBB will take into account the level of fees proposed and aim to limit these to the lowest level consistent with an adequate review of the matters at hand, given the qualifications, track record and independence of the persons concerned. Because the costs of such investigations are met by the licensee, the CBB makes only selective use of appointed experts, when essential to supplement CBB's other supervisory tools and resources.

EN-2.2.6

[This Paragraph was moved to Section BR-3.5 for money changers and administrators and the module GR for representative offices in April 2012.]

EN-2.2.7

[This Paragraph was deleted in April 2012].

EN-2.2.8

[This Paragraph was deleted in April 2012].

EN-2.2.9

The CBB may commission reports, which require appointed experts to review information from another company within the reporting specialised licensee's group even when that other entity is not subject to any CBB requirements.

EN-2.2.10

In accordance with Articles 114 and 123 of the CBB Law, specialised licensees must provide all relevant information and assistance to appointed experts on demand.

EN-2.2.11

[This Paragraph was moved to Section BR-3.5 for money changers and administrators and the module GR for representative offices in April 2012.]

EN-2.3.1

All proposals for Appointed Experts require approval by an Executive Director or more senior official of the CBB. The appointment will be made in writing, and made directly with the experts concerned. A separate letter is sent to the licensee, notifying them of the appointment. At the CBB's discretion, a trilateral meeting may be held at any point, involving the CBB and representatives of the licensee and the Appointed Experts, to discuss any aspect of the investigation.

EN-2.3.2

Following the completion of the investigation, the CBB will normally provide feedback on the findings of the investigation to the specialised licensee concerned.

EN-2.4.1

The scope of the required report will be determined and detailed by the CBB in the appointment letter. Commissioned Appointed Experts will normally be required to report on one or more of the following aspects of a licensee's business:

EN-2.4.2

Appointed Experts will be required to form an opinion on whether, during the period examined, the licensee is in compliance with the relevant provisions of the CBB Law and the CBB's relevant requirements, as well as other requirements of Bahrain Law and, where relevant, industry best practice locally and/or internationally.

EN-2.4.3

The Appointed Experts report should follow the format set out in Appendix EN-1 in Part B of Rulebook Volume 4.

EN-2.4.4

Unless otherwise directed by the CBB, the report must be discussed with the Board of Directors and/or senior management in advance of it being sent to the CBB.

EN-2.4.5

Where the report is qualified by exception, the report must clearly set out the risks which the licensee runs by not correcting the weakness, with an indication of the severity of the weakness, should it not be corrected. Appointed Experts will be expected to report on the type, nature and extent of any weaknesses found during their work, as well as the implications of a failure to address and resolve such weaknesses.

EN-2.4.6

If the Appointed Experts conclude, after discussing the matter with the licensee, that they will give a negative opinion (as opposed to one qualified by exception) or that the issue of the report will be delayed, they must immediately inform the CBB in writing giving an explanation in this regard.

EN-2.4.7

The report must be completed, dated and submitted, together with any comments by Directors or management (including any proposed timeframe within which the licensee has committed to resolving any issues highlighted by the report), to the CBB within the timeframe applicable.

EN-2.5.1

Appointed Experts must communicate to the CBB, during the conduct of their duties, any reasonable belief or concern they may have that any of the requirements of the CBB, including the criteria for licensing a licensee (see Module AU), are not or have not been fulfilled, or that there has been a material loss or there exists a significant risk of material loss in the concerned licensee, or that the interests of clients are at risk because of adverse changes in the financial position or in the management or other resources of a licensee. Notwithstanding the above, it is primarily the licensee's responsibility to report such matters to the CBB.

EN-2.5.2

The CBB recognises that Appointed Experts cannot be expected to be aware of all circumstances which, had they known of them, would have led them to make a communication to the CBB as outlined above. It is only when Appointed Experts, in carrying out their duties, become aware of such a circumstance that they should make detailed inquiries with the above specific duty in mind.

EN-2.5.3

If Appointed Experts decide to communicate directly with the CBB in the circumstances set out in Paragraph EN-2.5.1 above, they may wish to consider whether the matter should be reported at an appropriate senior level in the licensee at the same time and whether an appropriate senior representative of the licensee should be invited to attend the meeting with the CBB.

EN-3.1.1

Article 38 of the CBB Law empowers the CBB to issue formal warnings to specialised licensees or authorised persons. The CBB will issue such warnings where it reasonably believes that these are required to achieve its statutory objectives.

EN-3.2.1

Formal warnings are clearly identified as such and represent the CBB's first level formal enforcement measure. They are intended to clearly set out the CBB's concerns to a licensee or individual regarding an issue, and should be viewed by the recipient with the appropriate degree of seriousness.

EN-3.2.2

As indicated in Paragraph EN-B.2.7, the CBB will usually discuss concerns it may have prior to resorting to a formal enforcement measure, especially where a significant element of judgement is required in assessing compliance with a regulatory requirement.

EN-3.2.3

Where such discussions fail to resolve matters to the CBB's satisfaction, then it may issue a formal warning. Failure to respond adequately to a formal warning will lead the CBB to consider more severe enforcement measures. However, more severe measures do not require the prior issuance of a formal warning – depending on its assessment of the circumstances, the CBB may decide to have immediate recourse to other measures. Similarly, there may be circumstances where the CBB issues a formal warning without prior discussion with the licensee or individual concerned: this would usually be the case where a clear-cut compliance failing has occurred.

EN-3.2.4

When considering whether to issue a formal warning, the criteria taken into consideration by the CBB therefore include the following:

EN-3.3.1

Proposals to issue formal warnings are carefully considered against the criteria listed in Paragraph EN-3.2.4. They require approval of a Director or more senior CBB official, and include the statement "This is a formal warning as defined in Chapter EN-3 of Volume 5 of the CBB Rulebook".

EN-3.3.2

Depending on the issue in question, recipients of a formal warning may be required to respond to the contents of the warning. Where a formal warning is served prior to imposing any penalties or administrative proceedings, Articles 125(c) and 126 of the CBB Law provide the recipients the right to object or challenge the formal warning.

EN-4.1.1

Article 38 of the CBB Law empowers the CBB to issue Directions to specialised licensees or individuals. The powers conveyed allow the CBB to issue whatever Directions, it reasonably believes, are required to achieve its statutory objectives.

EN-4.2.1

The types of Directions that the CBB may issue in practice vary and will depend on the individual circumstances of a case. Generally, however, Directions require a licensee or individual either to undertake or to stop specific actions in order to address or mitigate certain perceived risks. They may also include restrictions on a licensee's activities until those risks have been addressed – for instance, a ban on the acceptance of new customers.

EN-4.2.2

The CBB is conscious of the powerful nature of a Direction and, in the case of a licensee, the fact that it subordinates the role of its Board and management on a specific issue. The CBB will carefully consider the need for a Direction, and whether alternative measures may not achieve the same end. Where feasible, the CBB will try to achieve the desired outcome through persuasion, rather than recourse to a Direction.

EN-4.2.3

In considering whether to issue a Direction, the criteria taken into consideration by the CBB include the following:

EN-4.3.1

Proposals to issue Directions are carefully considered against the criteria listed in Paragraph EN-4.2.3. They require approval of an Executive Director or more senior official of the CBB, and include the statement "This is a formal Direction as defined in Chapter EN-4 of Volume 5 of the CBB Rulebook".

EN-4.3.2

The subject of the Direction will normally be given 30 calendar days from the Direction's date of issuance in which to make representations to the CBB concerning the actions required. This must be done in writing, and addressed to the issuer of the original Direction. Should a representation be made, the CBB will make a final determination within 30 calendar days of the date of the representation, as specified in Articles 125(c) and 126 of the CBB Law.

EN-4.3.3

[This Paragraph was moved to Section EN-B.2 in April 2019].

EN-5.1.1

Article 129 of the CBB Law, provides the CBB the power to impose financial penalties on licensees or persons referred to in paragraph (b) of Article (68 bis 1) of the CBB Law.

EN-5.2.1

The level of financial penalty applied is determined by the nature of the contravention and the amount of additional supervisory attention and resources taken up by a licensee's or persons' referred to in paragraph (b) of Article (68 bis 1) of the CBB Law behaviour and by limits set in the CBB Law. The CBB intends that the impact of a penalty should derive more from its signalling effect than from the actual amount of money involved.

EN-5.2.2

As indicated in Paragraph EN-B.4.5, the CBB requires disclosure by licensees in accordance with Modules PD or BR of any financial penalties served on them, together with a factual description of the reasons given by the CBB for applying the penalty. In addition, the CBB may publicise the issuance of a financial penalty notice, where there is a strong case that doing so would help achieve the CBB's supervisory objectives, as mentioned in Article 132 of the CBB Law.

EN-5.2.3

In assessing whether to serve a financial written penalty notice, the CBB takes into account the following criteria:

EN-5.2.4

Part 11 of the CBB Law outlines instances where financial penalties may be imposed. Examples of the types of compliance failings that may lead to the serving of a financial penalty notice include (but are not limited to):

EN-5.2.5

In accordance with Article 125 of the CBB Law, a written notice of a financial penalty must be issued before imposing any financial penalty. The written notice must contain the following information:

EN-5.2.6

The licensee may either pay the penalty or, pursuant to Article 126 of the CBB Law, may object within the period noted in Subparagraph EN-5.2.5(d). In accordance with Article 127 of the CBB Law, the CBB will consider any objection and make a formal resolution within 30 calendar days of receiving the objection. Thereafter, the resolution and any accompanying penalties are final and must be paid within 30 calendar days.

EN-5.2.7

[This Paragraph was deleted in January 2016.]

EN-5.2.8

The imposition of a financial penalty does not preclude the CBB from also using other enforcement measures to remedy the same violation (for instance, a Direction).

EN-5.3.1

In addition to the general circumstances set out in Section EN-5.2, a financial penalty of up to BD 100,000 may be applied by the CBB in cases where a licensee fails to comply with any of the requirements in Module FC (Financial Crime). The fine shall be multiplied by the number of violations.

EN-5.3.2

As with the imposition of financial penalties in response to breaches of other regulatory requirements, the CBB will apply financial penalties with respect to Module FC, based on the criteria set out in paragraph EN-5.2.3.

EN-5.3.3

A failure to comply with Module FC (Financial Crime) that warrants a financial penalty would not trigger also a financial penalty under Section EN-5.2.

EN-5.3.4

Any financial penalties applied by the CBB as regards the implementation of Module FC, are without prejudice to the criminal sanctions available to the Bahraini courts under the Decree – Law No. 4 of 2001, with respect to the prevention and prohibition of the laundering of money. As with other financial penalties, the imposition of a financial penalty with regards to breaches of Module FC does not prevent the CBB from also using other enforcement measures to remedy the same violation (for instance, a Direction).

EN-5.3A.1

Modules AU, FC, BR, HC and PD contain specific requirements where specialised licensees must comply with, by a precise date. Where a specific due date is involved, the CBB's financial penalties are based on a per diem basis.

EN-5.3A.2

This Section applies to date sensitive requirements for:

EN-5.3A.3

Financial penalties related to late filing or other date sensitive requirements are calculated as per the following per diem basis:

EN-5.3A.4

In accordance with Article 129 of the CBB Law, the maximum financial penalty levied for failing to comply with date sensitive requirements is BD 100,000. The fine shall be multiplied by the number of violations. The CBB may opt to limit the amount of the financial penalty and use other enforcement measures as outlined in Module EN (Enforcement), such as imposing restrictions on a specialised license limiting the scope of operations.

EN-5.3A.5

The various deadlines for submission of reports and annual fees referred to in Modules BR, FC, PD and AU are defined:

EN-5.3A.6

In imposing financial penalties for date sensitive requirements, the following criteria apply:

EN-5.3A.7

The CBB does not require any particular method of delivery for returns and filings that are filed in hard copy. The use of the Bahrain postal services, private courier services or other methods of delivery is entirely at the discretion and risk of the licensee. For the payment of annual fees, licensees must follow the requirements of Form ALF, included under Part B of Volume 5.

EN-5.3A.8

A decision to impose a financial penalty for date sensitive requirements is unrelated to whether the CBB issues a reminder; it is the licensee's responsibility to file and disclose on time as per the requirements of Volume 5 (Specialised Licensees) Rulebook.

EN-5.3B.1

The financial penalty for late execution of blocking/unblocking orders issued by the Court/Public Prosecution is BD 10 per day per customer account/claim. Such financial penalties will be charged through billing on a weekly basis.

EN-5.4.1

A written financial penalty notice will be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer or General Manager of the licensee or persons referred to in paragraph (b) of Article (68 bis 1) of the CBB Law concerned. This written notification will describe the contravention concerned, the CBB's evidence supporting a financial penalty, and the factors justifying the level of penalty proposed. Only an Executive Director or more senior member of the CBB's management may sign the notification.

EN-5.4.2

The licensee or persons referred to in paragraph (b) of Article (68 bis 1) of the CBB Law has 30 calendar days from the notification's date of issuance to submit any representations it wishes to make to the CBB, in writing and addressed to the issuer of the original notification. If the licensee or persons referred to in paragraph (b) of Article (68 bis 1) of the CBB Law decides not to submit representations, it has 30 calendar days from the notification's date of issuance in which to pay the penalty.

EN-5.4.3

Should the licensee or persons referred to in paragraph (b) of Article (68 bis 1) of the CBB Law make representations challenging the proposed penalty, the CBB has 30 calendar days from the issuance of those representations in which to re-examine the facts of the case and its conclusions. If the CBB confirms application of a penalty, payment is required within 30 calendar days of a final notice being issued.

EN-5.4.4

Failure to pay a penalty within the required deadlines will be considered a breach of CBB's regulatory requirements, and will also result in other measures being considered, as described elsewhere in this Module.

EN-5.5.1

Payment of a financial penalty does not by itself absolve a licensee or persons referred to in paragraph (b) of Article (68 bis 1) of the CBB Law from remedying the compliance failure concerned. The CBB will expect the licensee or persons referred to in paragraph (b) of Article (68 bis 1) of the CBB Law to address the contravention within a reasonable timescale, to be agreed on a case-by-case basis. Failure to do so will result in other measures being considered.

EN-6.1.1

[This Paragraph was deleted in April 2019].

EN-6.1.2

[This Paragraph was deleted in April 2019].

EN-6.1.3

[This Paragraph was deleted in April 2019].

EN-6.2.1

[This Paragraph was deleted in April 2019].

EN-6.2.2

[This Paragraph was deleted in April 2019].

EN-6.2.3

[This Paragraph was deleted in April 2019].

EN-6.3.1

[This Paragraph was deleted in April 2019].

EN-6.3.2

[This Paragraph was deleted in April 2019].

EN-6.3.3

[This Paragraph was deleted in April 2019].

EN-7.1.1

Article 48 of the CBB Law empowers the CBB to cancel or amend a license under certain circumstances. These include cases where a licensee has:

EN-7.1.2

Article 48(d) of the CBB Law requires the CBB to give the licensee concerned at least 30 calendar days in which to appeal any proposed cancellation or amendment of its license.

EN-7.2.1

When used as an enforcement tool, the CBB views cancelling a license as appropriate only in the most serious of circumstances, when faced with the gravest of contraventions or when left with no other reasonable means of successfully addressing the regulatory failings in question. Cancellation or amendment of a license, however, may also be required in circumstances outside of an enforcement context, for instance because of a change in the business profile of a licensee.

EN-7.2.2

When used as an enforcement tool, the criteria used by the CBB in assessing whether to seek the cancellation or amendment of a license include:

EN-7.2.3

When the CBB issues a notice of cancellation or amendment as an enforcement tool, it will only implement the actual change once it is satisfied that there are no longer any regulated activities for which it is necessary to keep the current authorisation in force. Until such time as these activities have been run off or moved to another licensee, the CBB will control these activities through other means (such as taking the licensee into administration or through issuing Directions).

EN-7.3.1

All proposals for cancelling or amending a license as an enforcement tool are subject to a thorough review by the CBB of all relevant facts, assessed against the criteria outlined in Paragraphs EN-7.2.1 and EN-7.2.2. After being assessed at the Executive Director level, proposals are submitted to H.E. the Governor for approval.

EN-7.3.2

Once approved within the CBB, a formal notice of cancellation or amendment is issued to the licensee concerned. The notice of cancellation or amendment will describe the factual circumstances of the contraventions concerned, and the CBB's rationale for the proposed cancellation or amendment, as measured against the criteria outlined in Paragraphs EN-7.2.1 and EN-7.2.2.

EN-7.3.3

The licensee has 30 calendar days from the date of the notice in which to lodge an appeal. The appeal should be addressed to the Board of the CBB, and copied to H.E. the Governor of the CBB.

EN-7.3.4

If an appeal is lodged, the Board of the CBB will make a final ruling within 60 calendar days of its date of issuance.

EN-7.3.5

A licensee may appeal to a competent court within 60 days of the above final ruling for a decision. The court's decision will then be final.

EN-8.1.1

Article 65 of the CBB Law allows the CBB to determine the level of qualifications, experience and training of a licensee's officers or employees. Article 65(c) of the CBB Law empowers the CBB the right to remove any official, being a Board member or in an executive position, that is unqualified or unsuitable for the assigned position.

EN-8.2.1

Chapter AU-3 of Module AU (Authorisation), specifies that approved persons must be assessed by the CBB as 'fit and proper' to hold such a position. The Chapter specifies various factors that the CBB takes into account when reaching such a decision.

EN-8.2.2

The CBB is conscious of the impact that assessing someone as not 'fit and proper' may have on an individual approved person. Such assessments are carefully reviewed in the light of all relevant facts. The criteria used in reaching a decision include the following:

EN-8.2.3

Amongst other matters, the CBB will normally consider as grounds for the revocation of approved person status the following events affecting the approved person:

EN-8.2.4

Specialised licensees must inform the CBB immediately when they become aware of any of the events listed in Paragraph EN-8.2.3, affecting one of their approved persons.

EN-8.2.5

If the CBB has grounds for considering that an individual is no longer fit and proper to continue to hold their existing controlled function(s), it will revoke the approved person status granted to that individual. The individual will then be required to resign from each of the controlled functions to which this revocation applies. This revocation does not automatically preclude them from applying to hold other controlled functions in the future, but will be taken into account in considering new requests from specialised licensees that pertain to that individual.

EN-8.2.6

Depending on the seriousness of the situation, the CBB may impose further measures, which may include disqualification from:

EN-8.2.7

In assessing evidence, the CBB applies a lower threshold than is applied in a criminal court of law, reflecting the administrative nature of the sanction. The CBB may also take into account the cumulative effect of factors which, when considered individually, may not in themselves be sufficient to justify an adverse 'fit and proper' finding.

EN-8.2.8

The CBB may also take into account the particular function being undertaken in the licensee by the individual concerned, and the size and nature of the licensee itself, particularly when assessing the suitability of a person's experience or qualifications. Thus, the fact that a person was deemed 'fit and proper' for a particular position in a particular firm does not necessarily mean he would be suitable in a different position or in a different firm.

EN-8.3.1

All proposals for issuing an adverse fit and proper' finding are subject to a thorough review by the CBB of all relevant facts, assessed against the criteria outlined in Paragraph EN-8.2.2. In some instances, it may be appropriate for the CBB to request the licensee or person concerned to provide further information, in order to help reach a decision.

EN-8.3.2

All adverse findings have to be approved by an Executive Director of the CBB. Once approved, a notice of intent is issued to the person concerned and copied to the Board/senior management of the licensee, setting out the circumstances and the basis for the CBB's proposed adverse finding. The person has 30 calendar days from the date of the notice in which to make written representations, addressed to the Executive Director concerned, failing which a final notice is issued by the CBB.

EN-9.1.1

The CBB Law provides for a number of criminal sanctions in cases where certain of its provisions are contravened. This Section provides a summary of those sanctions most relevant to licensees, their Directors and employees. What follows is not a complete list of all sanctions provided for in the CBB Law, nor is it a substitute for reading the Law and being fully aware of its provisions.

EN-9.1.2

Licensees, their Directors and employees should also be aware of the criminal sanctions provided for under other relevant Bahraini laws, such as the Decree – Law No. 4 of 2001, with respect to the prevention and prohibition of the laundering of money.

EN-9.1.3

In all cases to do with criminal sanctions, the CBB can only refer the matter to the Office of the Public Prosecutor. The CBB has no authority to apply such sanctions without recourse to the courts.

EN-9.2.1

Because of their criminal status, and their provision for custodial sentences, the sanctions provided for under the CBB Law are viewed by the CBB as very powerful measures, to be pursued sparingly. In most situations, the CBB will seek to address regulatory failures through administrative sanctions, as outlined in the preceding Chapters, rather than by pursuing the criminal sanctions outlined here.

EN-9.2.2

Where, however, the nature of the offence is such that there is strong evidence of a reckless or intentional breach of the CBB Law relevant to the following Articles, then the CBB will refer the matter to the Office of the Public Prosecutor.

Article 161

Article 163

Article 169

Article 170

Article 171