Regulatory Alerts2018-12-02
Instruction No. 20/2018 of December 3
The National Bank of Angola, through Governor José de Lima Massano, issues Instruction No. 20/2018 to establish a precise calculation methodology for reference exchange rates and define permissible margins for banking financial institutions' foreign currency transactions. The directive mandates that selling reference rates be determined via weighted averages of central bank auctions or interbank sales, while allowing banks to apply up to a 2 percent margin on published reference rates for client transactions. This framework standardizes market pricing, ensures transparency through daily portal publications by 12:30 hours, and formally revokes the previous Instruction No. 03/2018 upon publication.
INSTRUCTION NO. 20/2018
of December 3
SUBJECT: EXCHANGE RATE POLICY
- Reference Exchange Rates
- Calculation Methodology
- Exchange Rates of Banking Financial Institutions Considering the need to adjust the process for determining reference exchange rates in the primary market and the exchange rates that must be applied by Banking Financial Institutions; In accordance with the combined provisions of Article 3 of Law No. 16/10, dated July 15, the Law of the National Bank of Angola, and Article 70 of Law No. 12/15, dated June 17, the Framework Law of Financial Institutions, and using the competence conferred by Article No. 51 of Law No. 16/10, dated July 15, the Law of the National Bank of Angola.
DETERMINES:
- Reference Exchange Rates - Calculation Methodology 1.1.On days when auctions are held, the reference exchange rate (selling) shall be the weighted average of the selling rates from foreign currency auctions organized by the National Bank of Angola, regardless of the amount sold. 1.2.On days when no auctions are held, the reference exchange rate (selling) shall be calculated based on the weighted average of sales occurring in the interbank market, provided that the accumulated value of these sales exceeds the equivalent of USD 20 million (twenty million United States dollars).
CONTINUATION OF INSTRUCTION NO. 20/2018 Page 2 of 3 1.3.The National Bank of Angola shall publish the reference exchange rate on its institutional portal by 12:30 hours each business day. 1.4.On days when no auctions or interbank sales above the threshold established in paragraph 2 occur, previous reference rates shall remain in effect. 1.5.The market reference exchange rate (buying) shall be calculated with a reduction of up to 1% (one percent) from the reference exchange rate (selling). 2. Exchange Rates of Banking Financial Institutions 2.1.In foreign currency transactions in the interbank market, namely between banking financial institutions, exchange rates are freely negotiated between the parties. 2.2.In selling foreign currency to their clients, excluding other non-banking financial institutions, banking financial institutions may apply a margin of up to 2% (two percent) on the reference selling exchange rate published on the institutional portal of the National Bank of Angola. 2.3.In buying foreign currency from their clients, exchange rates shall be freely negotiated between the parties. 2.4.The margin referred to in point 2.2 applies to all exchange operations without exception, including the sale of banknotes, traveler's cheques, and coverage for international payment card usage. 3. Doubts and Omissions Doubts and omissions resulting from the interpretation and application of this Instruction are resolved by the National Bank of Angola. 4. Revocation Instruction No. 03/2018, dated January 10, is hereby revoked.
CONTINUATION OF INSTRUCTION NO. 20/2018 Page 3 of 3 5. Entry into Force This Instruction enters into force on the date of its publication. PUBLISH. Luanda, December 3, 2018.
THE GOVERNOR JOSÉ DE LIMA MASSANO