2026-03-09
The Prudential Authority issued Mutual Banks Act Circular 1/2026 to annually confirm the regulatory status of previously issued circulars and directives for mutual banks and their auditors. The circular explicitly lists the specific circulars and directives that remain in force, while deeming all other previously issued circulars withdrawn, terminated, or replaced unless otherwise confirmed. Addressees must retain copies of the listed effective instruments and return a duly completed acknowledgement of receipt signed by both the institution’s chief executive officer and its auditors.
P O Box 427 Pretoria 0001 South Africa 370 Helen Joseph Street Pretoria 0002 +27 12 313 3911 / 0861 12 7272 www.resbank.co.za 1 Ref.: 15/8/2/1 MB C1/2026 To: All mutual banks and auditors of mutual banks Mutual Banks Act Circular issued in terms of section 4(4) of the Mutual Banks Act, 1993 (Act No. 124 of 1993) Status of previously issued circulars Executive summary To ensure that mutual banks and auditors of mutual banks are in no doubt as to which previously issued circulars remain effective, the Prudential Authority (PA) will annually confirm their status. Addressees should note that contrary to the process whereby the status of circulars are annually confirmed, directives issued in terms of section 4(6) of the Mutual Banks Act, 1993 (Act No. 124 of 1993) (Mutual Banks Act) remain effective until such time that they are withdrawn in writing by the PA in terms of section 4(7) of the Mutual Banks Act. 1 Introduction 1.1 All previously issued Mutual Banks Act circulars are deemed to be withdrawn, terminated or replaced, except if such a circular is to remain effective and is then accordingly confirmed in Mutual Banks Act Circular 1 of that year. The circulars that remain effective will retain their original numbers and dates. 2 Effective circulars issued in terms of the Mutual Banks Act The circulars listed below remain effective. Accordingly, mutual banks and auditors of mutual banks are hereby requested to retain a copy of these circulars. Circular Brief details 2.1 Circular 1/2014 Interpretation of specified provisions of the Mutual Banks Act 2.2 Circular 2/2023 Application and interpretation of the requirements to submit a duly completed statement and declaration using form DI 020
2 3. Effective Directives issued in terms of the Mutual Banks Act Section 4(6) of the Mutual Banks Act prescribes that the PA may, in writing, following consultation with the relevant mutual bank or auditor of the mutual bank, issue a directive to such a mutual bank or auditor of a mutual bank, either individually or collectively, regarding the application of the Mutual Banks Act. The PA issued a number of directives in terms of section 4(6) of the Mutual Banks Act. It is confirmed that all such issued directives will remain in effect until they are withdrawn in writing by the PA in term of section 6(7) of the Mutual Banks Act. Directive Brief details 3.1 Directive 1/2022 Matters relating to fit-and-proper assessment requirements pertaining to directors and executive officers 3.2 Directive 2/2022 Matters relating to fit-and-proper assessment requirements pertaining to beneficial owners 3.3 Directive 3/2022 Matters relating to domestic money or value transfer services 3.4 Directive 1/2023 Auditing requirements in terms of regulation 6 of the Regulations relating to Mutual Banks 3.5 Directive 1/2024 Minimum regulatory requirements relating to mutual banks’ fund liquidity contributions to the Corporation for Deposit Insurance 3.6 Directive 1/2025 Proposed amendment relating to the Regulations relating to Mutual Banks 3.7 Directive 2/2025 Appointment of auditors in terms of section 45(18) of the Mutual Banks Act,1993 (Act No. 124 of 1993) 4. Acknowledgement of receipt 4.1 Kindly ensure that a copy of this Mutual Banks Act circular is made available to your institution’s auditors. The attached acknowledgement of receipt, duly completed and signed by both the Chief Executive Officer of the institution and the said auditors, should be returned to the PA at the earliest convenience of the aforementioned signatories. Fundi Tshazibana Chief Executive Officer Date: The previous circular issued was Mutual Banks Circular 1/2025 dated 7 April 2025.