2024-02-13

Methods of Notification to Customers

The Central Bank of Bahrain proposes requiring all addressed financial licensees to implement secure, varied customer notification methods for transactions and account updates. Licensees must provide selectable delivery channels such as in-app alerts, email, and SMS, while ensuring digital switching capabilities, on-screen OTP auto-input, and preferred language selection. The consultation period closes on 13 February 2024, requiring all licensees to submit their feedback, including nil responses, via email in an editable format.

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Central Bank of Bahrain  
مصرف البحرين المركزي  

OG/37/2024  
31st January 2024  

Chief Executive Officer  
All Retail Banks  
Payment Service Providers  
Card Processing Licensees  
Money Changers  
Insurance Firms  
Crypto-asset licensees  
Self Regulatory Organisations (SROs)  
Manama  
Kingdom of Bahrain  

Dear Sir/ Madam,  

**Consultation: Methods of Notifications to Customers**

As part of the CBB’s efforts to take into account advancements in technology and changes in consumer behaviour, the CBB is proposing to require all licensees, to whom this circular is addressed, to introduce a variety of secure methods of notifications to customers in respect of transactions and changes in their accounts.  

Such methods could include in-app notifications, email, SMS, etc. The proposed criteria to be met by the licensees in this regard include the following:  

a) Make available to its customers a variety of secure notification methods for them to select the method of their choice;  
b) Provide the customer the ability to digitally switch between the methods (for example, while he travels);  
c) The transaction notification (OTP) must be shown onscreen for auto-input, i.e. without the need to switch apps to see the OTP; and  
d) Make available to its customers the option to select the preferred language for any notification.  

The proposed requirements will be available on the CBB’s website (www.cbb.gov.bh) under the “open consultations” section.  

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The CBB requests all licensees, to whom this circular is addressed, to provide their comments, including “nil” comments in an editable format to consultation@cbb.gov.bh by 13th February 2024.  

Yours faithfully,  

Rasheed M. Al-Maraj  
Governor  

cc: Bahrain Association of Banks  
Bahrain Insurance Association  

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هاتف +973 1754 7000، فاكس +973 1753 7799، ص.ب 27، المنامة، مملكة البحرين  
T +973 1754 7500, +973 1754 7555, F +973 1753 7799, P.O. Box 27, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, www.cbb.gov.bh