• GR-2 GR-2 Books and Records

    • GR-2.1 GR-2.1 General Requirements

      • GR-2.1.1

        In accordance with Article 59 of the CBB Law, all licensees must maintain books and records (whether in electronic or hard copy form) sufficient to produce financial statements and show a complete record of the business undertaken by a licensee. These records must be retained for at least ten years according to Article 60 of the CBB Law.

        April 2016

      • GR-2.1.2

        Paragraph GR-2.1.1 includes accounts, books, files and other records related to client information (e.g. trial balance, general ledger, reconciliations, list of counterparties, etc.). It also includes records that substantiate the value of the assets and liabilities.

        April 2016

      • GR-2.1.3

        Separately, Bahrain Law currently requires other transaction records to be retained for at least five years (see Ministerial Order No. 23 of 2002, Article 5(2), made pursuant to the Amiri Decree Law No. 4 of 2001).

        April 2016

      • GR-2.1.4

        Unless otherwise agreed to by the CBB in writing, records must be kept in either English or Arabic. Any records kept in languages other than English or Arabic must be accompanied by a certified English or Arabic translation. Records must be kept current. The records must be sufficient to allow an audit of the licensee's business or an on-site examination of the licensee by the CBB.

        April 2016

      • GR-2.1.5

        Translations produced in compliance with Rule GR-2.1.4 may be undertaken in-house, by an employee or contractor of the licensee, provided they are certified by an appropriate officer of the licensee.

        April 2016

      • GR-2.1.6

        Records must be accessible at any time from within the Kingdom of Bahrain, or as otherwise agreed with the CBB in writing.

        April 2016

      • GR-2.1.7

        Where older records have been archived, the CBB may accept that records be accessible within a reasonably short time frame (e.g. within 5 business days), instead of immediately. The CBB may also agree similar arrangements where elements of record retention and management have been centralised in another group company, whether inside or outside of Bahrain.

        April 2016

      • GR-2.1.8

        Paragraphs GR-2.1.1 to GR-2.1.7 apply to licensees, with respect to all business activities.

        April 2016

    • GR-2.2 GR-2.2 Transaction Records

      • GR-2.2.1

        Licensees must keep completed transaction records for as long as they are relevant for the purposes for which they were made (with a minimum period in all cases of five years from the date when the transaction was terminated). Records of terminated transactions must be kept whether in hard copy or electronic format as per the Legislative Decree No. (54) of 2018 with respect to Electronic Transactions “The Electronic Communications and Transactions Law” and its amendments.

        Amended: January 2020
        Amended: July 2017
        Added: April 2016

      • GR-2.2.2

        [This Paragraph has been deleted in July 2017].

        Deleted: July 2017
        April 2016

      • GR-2.2.3

        Rule GR-2.2.1 applies only to transactions relating to business booked in Bahrain by the licensee.

        April 2016

    • GR-2.3 GR-2.3 Other Records

      • Corporate Records

        • GR-2.3.1

          Licensees must maintain the following records in original form or in hard copy at their premises in Bahrain:

          (a) Internal policies, procedures and operating manuals;
          (b) Corporate records, including minutes of shareholders', Directors' and management meetings;
          (c) Correspondence with the CBB and records relevant to monitoring compliance with CBB requirements;
          (d) Reports prepared by the licensee's internal and external auditors; and
          (e) Employee records.
          April 2016

      • Customer Records

        • GR-2.3.2

          Record-keeping requirements with respect to customer records, including customer identification and due diligence records, are contained in Module FC (Financial Crime).

          April 2016