Regulatory Alerts2025-08-18
Guide to Fees Charged by the Central Bank of Iraq (Revised)
The Central Bank of Iraq issued this revised guide to standardize and publish the official fee schedule for all banking transactions processed through its core payment, clearing, and settlement systems. The document mandates that licensed financial institutions, payment service providers, and designated clearing houses apply fixed fees for Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS), Automated Clearing House (C-ACH), Automated Ledger Fee (ALF) services, and Central Securities Depository (CSD) operations. It establishes tiered pricing based on transaction type, currency, and processing speed, while granting the regulator authority to adjust rates via subsequent circulars to ensure market stability and operational efficiency.
Republic of Iraq CENTRAL BANK OF IRAQ NO: [Reference] DATE: 10/7/2017
Guide to Fees Charged by the Central Bank of Iraq (Revised)
This guide outlines the official fee schedule for banking transactions and services processed through the Central Bank of Iraq’s payment, clearing, and settlement systems. It applies to all licensed financial institutions, payment service providers, and designated clearing houses operating within the Republic of Iraq.
Systems & Fee Categories
| System | Service Description | Fee Bracket | Amount (IQD) | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTGS | Real-Time Gross Settlement (Domestic) | Category A | 50,000 | (A) |
| RTGS | Real-Time Gross Settlement (Foreign Currency) | Category B | 10,000 | (B) |
| C-ACH | Automated Clearing House (Batch Processing) | Category C | 5,000 | (C) |
| ALF | Automated Ledger Fee (Account & Transfer Services) | Standard | 10,000 | - |
| CSD | Central Securities Depository (Custody, Registration & Transfer) | Standard | 50,000 | - |
Detailed Provisions
- RTGS Fees: Applied to all real-time gross settlement transactions executed through the Central Bank’s core banking infrastructure. Domestic transfers are charged at 50,000 IQD per transaction, while foreign currency transactions incur a fee of 10,000 IQD.
- C-ACH Fees: Automated Clearing House fees apply to batch processing of retail payments, payroll disbursements, utility collections, and interbank settlements. The standard clearing fee is set at 5,000 IQD per transaction batch.
- ALF & CSD Operations: Automated Ledger Fees cover electronic fund transfers, account maintenance, and statement generation, charged at 10,000 IQD. Central Securities Depository fees apply to the registration, custody, and transfer of securities, calculated at 50,000 IQD per transaction or as a percentage of the underlying asset value.
- Additional Charges: Supplementary fees apply to expedited processing, weekend/holiday transactions, cross-border clearing, and regulatory reporting. All fees are subject to periodic review and may be adjusted by regulatory circulars issued by the Central Bank.
Applicability & Compliance
All licensed financial institutions, payment service providers, and designated clearing houses must adhere to this fee schedule effective from the date of issuance. Non-compliance may result in administrative penalties as stipulated under the Central Bank Law and relevant payment system regulations.
Contact Information CBI Head Office: Al-Rasheed St., Baghdad, Iraq Telephone Exchange: 8165171 (4 Lines) | P.O. Box: 64 Fax: +964-1-8166802 | E-Mail: cbi@cbi.iq
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