About CBB

The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) is a public corporate entity established by the 2006 CBB and Financial Institutions Law. It was created on 6th September 2006.

The CBB is responsible for maintaining monetary and financial stability in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It succeeded the Bahrain Monetary Agency, which had previously carried out central banking and regulatory functions since its establishment in 1973.

The CBB inherits the BMA’s 33-year track record and wide range of responsibilities. It implements the Kingdom’s monetary and foreign exchange rate policies, manages the government’s reserves and debt issuance, issues the national currency and oversees the country’s payments and settlement systems. It is also the sole regulator of Bahrain’s financial sector, covering the full range of banking, insurance, investment business and capital markets activities.

The CBB’s wide scope of responsibilities allows a consistent policy approach to be undertaken across the whole of the Kingdom’s financial sector. It also provides a straightforward and efficient regulatory framework for financial services firms operating in Bahrain.

The Central Bank of Bahrain’s mandate is prescribed in the Central Bank of Bahrain and Financial Institutions Law 2006.

Article 3 of the law defines the Central Bank of Bahrain’s objectives as:

1. Set and implement monetary, credit and other financial sector policies for the Kingdom of Bahrain;
2. Provide effective central banking services to the Government and financial sector of the Kingdom;
3. Develop the financial sector and enhance confidence therein; and
4. Protect the interests of depositors and customers of financial institutions, and enhance the Kingdom’s credibility as an international financial centre.

Article 4 of the same law specifies various specific duties and powers of the Central Bank. They include the issuance of the national currency; the licensing, regulation and supervision of persons undertaking regulated financial services; the provision of banking services to the Government; and managing the Kingdom’s gold and foreign currency reserves.

Collectively, these provisions are supplemented by a vision and mission statement.

To strengthen the position of Bahrain as a major international financial centre, through the application of sound monetary and financial policies consistent with international best practices.

To ensure monetary and financial stability in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The CBB will carry out the above by:

• Providing central banking services to the government and financial sector which are cost-effective, reliable and that support national objectives and Bahrain’s position as a major financial centre.
• Ensuring that the regulation and supervision of the financial sector of Bahrain meets the highest international standards, whilst minimizing the direct and indirect costs of regulation on financial firms and their customers.
• Facilitating market innovation, including the development of Islamic banking and finance, and encouraging the use of training and technology to enhance the competitiveness of Bahrain’s financial sector.
• Encouraging an open and competitive financial sector, that welcomes new entrants, including from overseas, provided they pose no undue regulatory risks.
• Working with international organisations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS), and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), in order to foster the stability of the global financial system.
• Promoting a culture of excellence within the CBB work environment which emphasizes the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, prudence, teamwork and innovation.

Governance of the CBB is largely prescribed in the Central Bank of Bahrain and Financial Institutions Law 2006 (‘CBB Law’).

Article 5 of the CBB Law specifies that the CBB shall have a Board, comprising seven Directors, appointed by Royal Decree for a renewable term of four years. Articles 6 through 9 specify the conditions that Directors must satisfy in order to hold office; requirements regarding the proceedings of the Board; the powers of the Board; and the conditions under which Board membership may be terminated.

The day-to-day management of the CBB is entrusted to a Governor, with ministerial rank, and who is directly accountable to the Board. The Governor is appointed by Royal Decree for a renewable 5 year term. The Governor may be supported by one or more Deputy Governors (Article 10).

The Governor is obliged to present a report to the Board within 3 months following the end of each financial year, on the CBB’s operations, together with a copy of the audited accounts of the CBB and the external auditor’s opinion on those accounts (Article 36). In addition, the CBB’s financial operations are subject to review by the National Audit Court (Article 2).

In addition, Article 173 of the CBB Law requires the CBB to present regular reports on the operations of the CBB to the Minister of Finance, who is responsible to the parliament for his oversight responsibilities with respect to the activities of the CBB.

In addition to the above mechanisms, the CBB also ensures effective internal governance of the organisation and its operations through a system of internal committees, supported by documented policies and procedures (which include a staff code of conduct).

Finally, an internal audit and quality assurance function, reporting directly to the Governor with a right of access to the Board, provides assurance on internal systems and controls.

The Central Bank of Bahrain (‘CBB’) is responsible for regulating and supervising the whole of Bahrain’s financial sector. Prior to the creation of the CBB in September 2006, the Bahrain Monetary Agency (‘BMA’) had previously acted as the sole regulatory authority for Bahrain’s financial sector. (The BMA was responsible since its establishment in 1973 for regulating Bahrain’s banking sector, and was subsequently given responsibility in August 2002 for regulating Bahrain’s insurance sector and capital markets.)

The CBB’s duties include the licensing and supervision of banks (both conventional and Islamic), providers of insurance services (including insurance firms and brokers), investment business licensees (including investment firms, licensed exchanges, clearing houses and their member firms, money brokers and investment advisors), and other financial services providers (including money changers, representative offices, finance companies and ancillary service providers).

The CBB also regulates Bahrain’s licensed exchanges and clearing houses and acts as the Listing Authority for companies and financial instruments listed on the exchanges. It is also responsible for regulating conduct in Bahrain’s capital markets.