CA CA Money Changers Capital Adequacy Module
CA-A CA-A Introduction
CA-A.1 CA-A.1 Purpose
Executive Summary
CA-A.1.1
This Module lays down requirements that apply to all
licensees , with respect to the minimum level of capital they must maintain.October 2010CA-A.1.2
Principle 9 of the Principles of Business requires that
licensees maintain adequate human, financial and other resources, sufficient to run their business in an orderly manner (see Section PB-1.1.9).October 2010Legal Basis
CA-A.1.3
This Module contains the Central Bank of Bahrain's ('CBB') Directive (as amended from time to time) relating to the capital adequacy of
licensees , and is issued under the powers available to the CBB under Article 38 of the CBB Law. The Directive in this Module is applicable to alllicensees . Requirements regardingMoney Changer Licensees are also included in the Regulation Organising Money Changing Business, issued in 1994 and included in this Module.Amended: January 2011
October 2010CA-A.1.4
For an explanation of the CBB's rule-making powers and different regulatory instruments, see Section UG-1.1.
October 2010CA-A.2 CA-A.2 Module History
Evolution of Module
CA-A.2.1
This Module was first issued in October 2010 by the CBB. Any material changes that have subsequently been made to this Module are annotated with the calendar quarter date in which the change was made: Chapter UG-3 provides further details on Rulebook maintenance and version control.
CA-A.2.2
A list of recent changes made to this Module is provided below:
Module Ref. Change Date Description of Changes CA-A.1.3 01/2011 Clarified legal basis. CA-1.2.2 and CA-1.2.3 01/2011 Clarified minimum capital requirements for licensees authorised prior to 1st January 2011. CA-1.4.1 01/2011 Added cross reference. CA-1.4.1 07/2011 Clarified Rule pertaining to capital required for any additional branch. Superseded Requirements
CA-A.2.3
This Module supersedes the following provisions contained in circulars or other regulatory instruments:
Document Ref. Document Subject Standard Conditions and Licensing Criteria: Money Changers Capital Funds BC/24/99 Accounts of Money Changers BC/6/99 Bank Guarantee October 2010CA-B CA-B Scope of Application
CA-B.1 CA-B.1 Scope of Application
CA-B.1.1
The content of this Module applies to all
Money Changer licensees authorised in the Kingdom, thereafter referred to in this Module aslicensees .October 2010CA-1 CA-1 Capital Adequacy Requirements
CA-1.1 CA-1.1 General Requirements
Obligation to Maintain Adequate Capital
CA-1.1.1
In accordance with Principle of Business 9 (Section PB-1.1.9),
licensees must maintain adequate human, financial and other resources sufficient to run their business in an orderly manner.October 2010CA-1.1.2
Licensees are required to maintain, at all times, the minimum capital requirement specified in Section CA-1.2.October 2010CA-1.1.3
In addition to the minimum capital requirements specified in Section CA-1.2 onwards, the CBB may, at its discretion, require
licensees to hold additional capital, should this be necessary (in the CBB's view) to meet additional liquidity requirements. (refer to CA-1.5.2)October 2010CA-1.1.4
No funds may be withdrawn by shareholders from the
licensee without the necessary prior written approval of the CBB.October 2010CA-1.1.5
In the event that a
licensee fails to meet any of the requirements specified in this Module, it must, on becoming aware that it has breached these requirements, immediately notify the CBB in writing. Unless otherwise directed, thelicensee must in addition submit to the CBB, within 30 calendar days of its notification, a plan demonstrating how it will achieve compliance with these requirements.October 2010CA-1.1.6
Should a
licensee fail to comply with the requirements of this Module, the CBB may impose enforcement measures, as described in Module EN.October 2010CA-1.2 CA-1.2 Minimum Capital Requirements
Key Requirements
CA-1.2.1
Licensees must ensure that, at all times, their Minimum Capital meets the requirement stipulated in Rule CA-1.2.2 below.October 2010CA-1.2.2
Minimum Capital Requirements are:(a) Paid-up Capital of not less than BD500,000;(b) Additional Paid-up Capital of BD30,000 for each branch; and(c) A Bank Guarantee of not less than BD50,000.Amended: January 2011
October 2010CA-1.2.3
For those
licensees authorised prior to 1st January 2011, the minimum paid-up capital noted in Subparagraph CA-1.2.2 (a) must be not less than BD200,000. In addition, such licensees must comply with Subparagraphs CA-1.2.2 (b) and (c).January 2011CA-1.3 CA-1.3 Guarantee Requirements
CA-1.3.1
Licensees are required to provide the CBB with a guarantee in respect of their liabilities. The guarantee must be:a) In favor of and callable by the CBB at the CBB's sole discretion;b) Unconditional and irrevocable;c) Issued by a retail bank licensed by the CBB;d) Valid at all times for a period of one year; ande) Renewed at least one week before its expiry and submitted to the CBB.October 2010CA-1.3.2
If the guarantee is not renewed within the stipulated timeframe, the CBB may call the guarantee.
October 2010CA-1.4 CA-1.4 Capital Requirement for Branches
CA-1.4.1
In addition to the minimum paid-up capital required under Section CA-1.2,
licensees must inject capital in the amount of BD30, 000 in respect of any additional branch (see CA-1.2.2 for additional details).Amended: July 2011
Amended: January 2011
October 2010CA-1.4.2
Licensees must provide the CBB with evidence of the deposited amount of capital as part of the application for a branch outlined in Section 4.2 of the Module AU (Authorisation).October 2010CA-1.5 CA-1.5 Additional Requirements
CA-1.5.1
A
licensee 's liabilities should not exceed threefold its capital and reserves.October 2010CA-1.5.2
A
licensee 's liquid assets must be held in a form acceptable to the CBB, in a minimum amount of three months estimated expenditures including salaries, rent, general utilities and other operating costs.October 2010CA-1.5.3
Liquid assets comprise of cash, cash equivalents, and placements or deposits maturing within 30 days.
October 2010
