• GR GR Representative Offices General Requirements Module

    • GR-A GR-A Introduction

      • GR-A.1 GR-A.1 Purpose

        • GR-A.1.1

          The General Requirements Module presents a variety of different requirements that do not warrant their own stand-alone Module, but for the most part are generally applicable to the representative offices. These include, amongst others, general requirements on books and records and on the use of corporate and trade names.

          December 2010

        • Legal Basis

          • GR-A.1.2

            This Module contains the Central Bank of Bahrain ('CBB') Directive (as amended from time to time) regarding general requirements applicable to licensees, and is issued under the powers available to the CBB under Article 38 of the Central Bank of Bahrain and Financial Institutions Law 2006 ('CBB Law').

            December 2010

      • GR-A.2 GR-A.2 Module History

        • Evolution of Module

          • GR-A.2.1

            This Module was first issued in December 2010, as part of Volume 5 (Specialised Licensees). 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.

            December 2010

          • GR-A.2.2

            A list of recent changes made to this Module is detailed in the table below:

            Module Ref. Change Date Description of Changes
            GR-5.1 01/2011 Added a Section on IIS Reporting Requirements.
            GR-5.1.2 04/2011 Corrected cross reference.
            GR-3.1 04/2012 GR-3.1.3 deleted as it repeats what is included in GR-6.2.1 and Paragraph GR-4.1.1 moved to new Paragraph GR-3.1.1A.
            GR-4.1.1 04/2012 This Paragraph was moved to Paragraph GR-3.1.1A.
            GR-5.1 04/2012 Minor corrections.
            GR-6 04/2012 New Chapter added to include material transferred from common Chapters EN-2 and AA-5 and include other Rules and Guidance on information gathering by the CBB.
            GR-3.1.5 01/2013 Clarified due date for the annual confirmation letter.
            GR-6.5.14 07/2013 Amended numbering of referred appendix.
            GR-5.1.1 04/2014 Added requirement that licensees access the IIS within 20 calendar days from the end of the related quarter and either confirm or update the information contained in the IIS.
            GR-6 10/2014 Amendments made to be consistent with other Volumes of the CBB Rulebook.
            GR-4.1.8 10/2016 Added a Rule in the Cessation of Business Section to be consistent with other Volumes of the CBB Rulebook.
            GR-1.1.1 10/2018 Amended Paragraph to be consistent with other Volumes.
            GR-4.1.8 04/2020 Amended Paragraph.
            GR-C 10/2020 Added a new Chapter on Provision of Financial Services on a Non-discriminatory Basis.
            GR-2.1.1 01/2022 Amended Paragraph on change of Representative Offices’ corporate name.
            GR-2.1.3 01/2022 Deleted Paragraph.

        • Superseded Requirements

          • GR-A.2.3

            This Module supersedes the following provisions contained in circulars or other regulatory instruments:

            Document reference Provision Document Subject
            Standard Conditions and Licensing Criteria for a representative office license Licensing requirements Scope of license and licensing conditions.
            Circular BC/3/2001 Notifications Regular Notification of Management Personnel
            BS/07/2003 dated 9 September 2003 Notifications Notifications to BMA
            December 2010

          • GR-A.2.4

            Further guidance on the implementation and transition to Volume 5 (Specialised Licensees) is given in Module ES (Executive Summary).

            December 2010

    • GR-B GR-B Scope of Application

      • GR-B.1 GR-B.1 Representative Office licensees

        • Scope of Application

          • GR-B.1.1

            The requirements in Module GR (General Requirements) apply to representative offices licensed by the CBB.

            December 2010

    • GR-C GR-C Provision of Financial Services on a Non-discriminatory Basis

      • GR-C.1 GR-C.1 Provision of Financial Services on a Non-discriminatory Basis

        • GR-C.1.1

          Representative office licensees must ensure that all regulated financial services are provided without any discrimination based on gender, nationality, origin, language, faith, religion, physical ability or social standing.

          Added: October 2020

    • GR-1 GR-1 Books and Records

      • GR-1.1 GR-1.1 General Requirements

        • GR-1.1.1

          Representative office licensees must maintain the following records for a 10-year period, in original form or in hard copy at their premises in Bahrain. These records must be retained for at least 10 years according to Article 60 of the CBB Law.

          (a) A copy of all documents submitted to the CBB as part of the license application;
          (b) Corporate records, including Head Office Annual Report, License Certificate (granted by the CBB), Commercial Registration Certificate, Memorandum and Articles of Association;
          (c) Correspondence with the CBB and records relevant to monitoring compliance with CBB requirements;
          (d) Reports prepared by the Representative Office to its Head Office and vice versa; and
          (e) Any other documents deemed necessary by the CBB.
          Amended: October 2018
          December 2010

        • GR-1.1.2

          Representative office licensees should refer to Chapter FC-7 with reference to records pertaining to the requirements of Module FC.

          December 2010

        • GR-1.1.3

          Unless otherwise agreed with the CBB in writing, records must be kept in either English or Arabic; or else accompanied by a certified English or Arabic translation. Records must be kept current.

          December 2010

        • GR-1.1.4

          The requirements of Paragraph GR-1.1.3 are effective from the issusance date of this Module.

          December 2010

        • GR-1.1.5

          Translations produced in compliance with Rule GR-1.1.3 may be undertaken in-house, by an employee or contractor of the licensee, providing they are certified by an appropriate officer of the licensee.

          December 2010

        • 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.

          December 2010

        • Customer Records

          • GR-1.1.7

            Record-keeping requirements with respect to customer records, including customer inquiries, identification and due diligence records, are contained in the Common Module FC (Financial Crime). These requirements address specific requirements under the Amiri Decree Law No. 4 of 2001, the standards promulgated by the Financial Action Task Force

            December 2010

          • GR-1.1.8

            Representative office licensees must maintain a record of all promotional/marketing materials issued by them to new or existing customers. They must also maintain a record of all their undertakings.

            December 2010

    • GR-2 GR-2 Corporate and Trade Names

      • GR-2.1 GR-2.1 Vetting of Names

        • GR-2.1.1

          Representative offices must notify the CBB of any change in their corporate name at least one week prior to effecting the proposed change. The name of the foreign financial institution (Head Office) must only be used by the representative office in conjunction with the description "representative office". This may include the office sign, letterheads, advertising material and business cards.

          Amended: January 2022
          December 2010

        • GR-2.1.2

          Rule GR-2.1.1 refers to the requirements contained in Article 41 of the CBB Law.

          December 2010

        • GR-2.1.3

          [This Paragraph was deleted in January 2022].

          Deleted: January 2022
          December 2010

    • GR-3 GR-3 General Requirements

      • GR-3.1 GR-3.1 General Requirements

        • GR-3.1.1A

          Representative office licensees must obtain the CBB's prior approval for all major intended changes. These might include but not limited to change of office location and change of the representative manager.

          Added: April 2012

        • Maintenance of Suitable Premises

          • GR-3.1.2

            Representative office licensees must maintain suitable premises in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

            December 2010

          • GR-3.1.3

            [This Paragraph was deleted in April 2012].

            Deleted: April 2012
            December 2010

        • Annual Reporting Requirements

          • GR-3.1.4

            Representative office licensees must submit to the CBB the annual report of the head office within 6 months of the financial year end and any other documents and information requested by the CBB from time to time related to its undertakings.

            December 2010

          • GR-3.1.5

            Representative Office licensees must submit to the CBB on an annual basis, not later than 31st March, a confirmation letter that the representative office is in compliance with the permitted activities and meet all its expenditure commitments.

            Amended: January 2013
            December 2010

        • Other Notifications

          • GR-3.1.6

            Representative office licensees must notify the CBB of any breaches of the CBB's requirements or any other applicable Laws.

            December 2010

          • GR-3.1.7

            The representative office licensee must notify the CBB of any change in the arrangements of the head office's oversight of the representative office.

            December 2010

          • GR-3.1.8

            The representative office licensee must notify the CBB of any significant developments affecting its head office's financial soundness, ownership structure and/or reputation globally.

            December 2010

    • GR-4 GR-4 Cessation of Business

      • GR-4.1 GR-4.1 CBB Approval

        • GR-4.1.1

          [This Paragraph was moved to GR-3.1.1A].

          Amended: April 2012
          December 2010

        • GR-4.1.2

          As specified in Article 50 of the CBB Law, a representative office licensee wishing to cease its presence in the Kingdom of Bahrain, must obtain prior written approval from the CBB.

          December 2010

        • GR-4.1.3

          Representative office licensees seeking to obtain the CBB's permission to cease business must apply to the CBB in writing, in the form of a covering letter together with any supporting attachments. Unless otherwise directed by the CBB, the application must provide:

          (a) The rationale for the cessation; and
          (b) Evidence that the proposed cessation has been duly authorised by the licensee head office/parent company.
          December 2010

        • GR-4.1.4

          Licensees should ensure that all outstanding expenses are settled before cessation of business and should confirm it to the CBB.

          December 2010

        • GR-4.1.5

          When the CBB has given its approval to an application to cease business, the representative office licensee must publish a notice of its intention to cease business in two local daily newspapers (one in Arabic, the other in English). Notices must also be displayed in the premises. These notices must be given not less than 30 calendar days before the cessation is to take effect, and must include such information as the CBB may specify.

          December 2010

        • GR-4.1.6

          The CBB will normally require that the notices required under Rule GR-4.1.5 include a statement that written representations concerning the cessation of business may be submitted to the CBB.

          December 2010

        • GR-4.1.7

          Where the CBB has given its approval to cancel or amend a license, then it will also publish its decision in the Official Gazette, as well as in two local daily newspapers (one in Arabic, the other in English), once this decision has been implemented. The publication cost of these notices is to be met by the licensee concerned.

          December 2010

        • GR-4.1.8

          Upon satisfactorily meeting the requirements set out in GR-3.1, the representative office licensee must surrender the original license certificate issued by the Licensing Directorate at the time of establishment, and submit confirmation of the cancellation of its commercial registration from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism.

          Amended: April 2020
          Added: October 2016

    • GR-5 GR-5 Reporting Requirements

      • GR-5.1 GR-5.1 IIS Reporting Requirements

        • GR-5.1.1

          Licensees are required to complete online non-financial information related to their institution by accessing the CBB's institutional information system (IIS). Licensees must update the required information at least on a quarterly basis or when a significant change occurs in the non-financial information included in the IIS. If no information has changed during the quarter, the licensee must still access the IIS quarterly and confirm that the information contained in the IIS is correct. Licensees must ensure that they access the IIS within 20 calendar days from the end of the related quarter and either confirm or update the information contained in the IIS.

          Amended: April 2014
          Amended: April 2012
          January 2011

        • GR-5.1.2

          Licensees failing to comply with the requirements of Paragraph GR-5.1.1 or reporting inaccurate information may be subject to financial penalties or other enforcement actions as outlined in Module (EN) Enforcement.

          Amended: April 2012
          Amended: April 2011
          January 2011

    • GR 6 GR 6 Information Gathering by the CBB

      • GR-6.1 GR-6.1 Power to Request Information

        • GR-6.1.1

          In accordance with Article 111 of the CBB Law, licensees must provide all information that the CBB may reasonably request in order to discharge its regulatory obligations.

          Amended: October 2014
          Added: April 2012

        • GR-6.1.1A

          Licensees must provide all relevant information and assistance to the CBB inspectors and appointed experts on demand as required by Articles 111 and 114 of the CBB Law. Failure by licensees to cooperate fully with the CBB's inspectors or 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 Module EN. This rule is supported by Article 114(a) of the CBB Law.

          Added: October 2014

        • GR-6.1.1B

          Article 163 of the CBB Law provides for criminal sanctions where false or misleading statements are made to the CBB or any person/appointed expert appointed by the CBB to conduct an inspection or investigation on the business of the licensee or the listed licensee.

          Added: October 2014

        • Information Requested on Behalf of other Supervisors

          • GR-6.1.2

            The CBB may ask a licensee to provide it with information at the request of or on behalf of other supervisors to enable them to discharge their functions properly. Those supervisors may include overseas supervisors or government agencies in Bahrain. The CBB may also, without notifying a licensee pass on to those supervisors or agencies information that it already has in its possession.

            Added: April 2012

      • GR-6.2 GR-6.2 Access to Premises

        • GR-6.2.1

          In accordance with Article 114 of the CBB Law, all licensees must permit representatives of the CBB, or appointed experts, access, with or without notice, to any of its business premises in relation to the discharge of the CBB's functions under the relevant law.

          Amended: October 2014
          Added: April 2012

        • GR-6.2.2

          A licensee must take reasonable steps to ensure that its agents, providers under outsourcing arrangements permit such access to their business premises, to the CBB.

          Added: April 2012

        • GR-6.2.3

          A licensee must take reasonable steps to ensure that each of its providers under material outsourcing arrangements deals in an open and cooperative way with the CBB in the discharge of its functions in relation to the licensee.

          Added: April 2012

        • GR-6.2.4

          The cooperation that licensees are expected to procure from such providers is similar to that expected of licensees themselves.

          Added: April 2012

      • GR-6.3 GR-6.3 Accuracy of Information

        • GR-6.3.1

          Licensees must take reasonable steps to ensure that all information they give to the CBB is:

          (a) Factually accurate or, in the case of estimates and judgements, fairly and properly based after appropriate enquiries have been made by the licensee; and
          (b) Complete, in that it should include everything which the CBB would reasonably and ordinarily expect to have.
          Added: April 2012

        • GR-6.3.2

          If a licensee becomes aware, or has information that reasonably suggests that it has or may have provided the CBB with information that was or may have been false, misleading, incomplete or inaccurate, or has or may have changed in a material way, it must notify the CBB immediately. The notification must include:

          (a) Details of the information which is or may be false, misleading, incomplete or inaccurate, or has or may have changed;
          (b) An explanation why such information was or may have been provided; and
          (c) The correct information.
          Added: April 2012

        • GR-6.3.3

          If the information in Paragraph GR-6.3.2 cannot be submitted with the notification (because it is not immediately available), it must instead be submitted as soon as possible afterwards.

          Added: April 2012

      • GR-6.4 GR-6.4 Methods of Information Gathering

        • GR-6.4.1

          The CBB uses various methods of information gathering on its own initiative which require the cooperation of licensees:

          (a) Representatives of the CBB may make onsite visits at the premises of the licensee. These visits may be made on a regular basis, or on a sample basis, for special purposes such as theme visits (looking at a particular issue across a range of licensees), or when the CBB has a particular reason for visiting a licensee;
          (b) Appointees of the CBB may also make onsite visits at the premises of the licensee. Appointees of the CBB may include persons who are not CBB staff, but who have been appointed to undertake particular monitoring activities for the CBB, such as in the case of appointed experts (refer to Section GR-6.5).
          (c) The CBB may request the licensee to attend meetings at the CBB's premises or elsewhere;
          (d) The CBB may seek information or request documents by telephone, at meetings or in writing, including electronic communication;
          (e) The CBB may require licensees to submit various documents or notifications in the ordinary course of their business such as financial reports or on the happening of a particular event in relation to the licensee.
          Added: April 2012

        • GR-6.4.2

          When seeking meetings with a licensee or access to the licensee's premises, the CBB or the CBB appointee needs to have access to a licensee's documents and personnel. Such requests will be made during reasonable business hours and with proper notice. There may be instances where the CBB may seek access to the licensee's premises without prior notice. While such visits are not common, the prospect of unannounced visits is intended to encourage licensees to comply at all times with the requirements and standards imposed by the CBB as per legislation and Volume 5 of the CBB Rulebook.

          Added: April 2012

        • GR-6.4.3

          The CBB considers that a licensee should:

          (a) Make itself readily available for meetings with representatives or appointees of the CBB;
          (b) Give representatives or appointees of the CBB reasonable access to any records, files, tapes or computer systems, which are within the licensee's possession or control, and provide any facilities which the representatives or appointees may reasonably request;
          (c) Produce to representatives or appointees of the CBB specified documents, files, tapes, computer data or other material in the licensee's possession or control as may be reasonably requested;
          (d) Print information in the licensee's possession or control which is held on computer or otherwise convert it into a readily legible document or any other record which the CBB may reasonably request;
          (e) Permit representatives or appointees of the CBB to copy documents of other material on the premises of the licensee at the licensee's expense and to remove copies and hold them elsewhere, or provide any copies, as may be reasonably requested; and
          (f) Answer truthfully, fully and promptly all questions which representatives or appointees of the CBB reasonably put to it.
          Added: April 2012

        • GR-6.4.4

          The CBB considers that a licensee should take reasonable steps to ensure that the following persons act in the manner set out in Paragraph GR-6.4.3:

          (a) Its employees; and
          (b) Any other members of its group and their employees.
          Added: April 2012

        • GR-6.4.5

          In gathering information to fulfill its supervisory duties, the CBB acts in a professional manner and with due regard to maintaining confidential information obtained during the course of its information gathering activities.

          Added: April 2012

      • GR-6.5 GR-6.5 Role of the Appointed Expert

        • Introduction

          • GR-6.5.1

            The content of this Chapter is applicable to all licensees and appointed experts.

            Added: April 2012

          • GR-6.5.2

            The purpose of the contents of this Chapter is to set out the roles and responsibilities of appointed experts when appointed pursuant to Article 114 or 121 of the CBB Law (see EN-2.1.1). These Articles empower the CBB to assign some of its officials or others to inspect or conduct investigations of licensees.

            Added: April 2012

          • GR-6.5.3

            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 reports on matters relating to the business of licensees in order to help it assess their compliance with CBB requirements. Inspections may be carried out either by the CBB's own officials, by duly qualified appointed experts appointed for the purpose by the CBB, or a combination of the two.

            Added: April 2012

          • GR-6.5.4

            The CBB will not, as a matter of general policy, publicise the appointment of an appointed expert, although it reserves the right to do so where this would help achieve its supervisory objectives.

            Amended: October 2014
            Added: April 2012

          • GR-6.5.5

            Unless the CBB otherwise permits, appointed experts should not be the same firm appointed as external auditor of the licensee.

            Added: April 2012

          • GR-6.5.6

            Appointed experts will be appointed in writing, through an appointment letter, by the CBB. In each case, the CBB will decide on the range, scope and frequency of work to be carried out by appointed experts.

            Added: April 2012

          • GR-6.5.7

            All proposals to appoint 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 appointed 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.

            Added: April 2012

          • GR-6.5.8

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

            Added: April 2012

          • GR-6.5.9

            Appointed experts will report directly to and be responsible to the CBB in this context and will specify in their report any limitations placed on them in completing their work (for example due to the licensee'sgroup structure). The report produced by the appointed experts is the property of the CBB (but is usually shared by the CBB with the firm concerned).

            Added: April 2012

          • GR-6.5.10

            Compliance by appointed experts with the contents of this Chapter will not, of itself, constitute a breach of any other duty owed by them to a particular investment firm licensee (i.e. create a conflict of interest).

            Added: April 2012

          • GR-6.5.11

            The CBB may appoint one or more of its officials to work on the appointed experts' team for a particular licensee.

            Added: April 2012

        • The Required Report

          • GR-6.5.12

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

            (a) Accounting and other records;
            (b) Internal control systems;
            (c) Returns of information provided to the CBB;
            (d) Operations of certain departments; and/or
            (e) Other matters specified by the CBB.
            Added: April 2012

          • GR-6.5.13

            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.

            Added: April 2012

          • GR-6.5.14

            The appointed experts' report should follow the format set out in Appendix BR-10, in part B of the CBB Rulebook.

            Amended: July 2013
            Added: April 2012

          • GR-6.5.15

            Unless otherwise directed by the CBB or unless the circumstances described in Section GR-6.5.19 apply, the report must be discussed with the Board of directors and/or senior management in advance of it being sent to the CBB.

            Added: April 2012

          • GR-6.5.16

            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.

            Added: April 2012

          • GR-6.5.17

            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.

            Added: April 2012

          • GR-6.5.18

            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.

            Added: April 2012

        • Other Notifications to the CBB

          • GR-6.5.19

            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 customers 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.

            Added: April 2012

          • GR-6.5.20

            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.

            Added: April 2012

          • GR-6.5.21

            If appointed experts decide to communicate directly with the CBB in the circumstances set out in Paragraph GR-6.5.19, 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.

            Added: April 2012

        • Permitted Disclosure by the CBB

          • GR-6.5.22

            Information which is confidential and has been obtained under, or for the purposes of, this chapter or the CBB Law may only be disclosed by the CBB in the circumstances permitted under the Law. This will allow the CBB to disclose information to appointed experts to fulfil their duties. It should be noted, however, that appointed experts must keep this information confidential and not divulge it to a third party except with the CBB's permission and/or unless required by Bahrain Law.

            Added: April 2012

        • Trilateral Meeting

          • GR-6.5.23

            The CBB may, at its discretion, call for a trilateral meeting(s) to be held between the CBB and representatives of the relevant licensee and the appointed experts. This meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss the appointed experts' examination of, and report on, the licensee.

            Added: April 2012