Regulatory Alerts2019-02-28
Banking Circular No. 1 of 2019 - Kenya Banking Sector Charter
The Central Bank of Kenya has finalized and issued the Kenya Banking Sector Charter (BSC), a commitment from institutions in the banking sector to promote responsible and disciplined practices in accordance with sections 33(4)(a) of the Banking Act and section 48(2A)(a) of the Microfinance Act. The BSC applies to financial entities conducting banking, financial, mortgage finance, and micro-financing businesses under these respective acts. Effective March 1, 2019, institutions must develop time-bound plans approved by their boards for reference in implementing the BSC guidelines, submitting them to CBK by May 31, 2019. Additionally, quarterly progress reports on the Charter's implementation will be required within 10 days after each calendar quarter's end.
UU YA KENYA GERALD NYAOMA
Kenya Banking Sector Charter
Haile Selassie Avenue P.O. Box 60000 - 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Telephone: 2860000, Fax: 340192 February 28, 2019 BANKING CIRCULAR NO. 1 OF 2019 To: ALL CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF COMMERCIAL BANKS, MORTGAGE FINANCE COMPANY AND MICROFINANCE BANKS The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) developed a draft Kenya Banking Sector Charter (BSC) which was shared with the banking sector and public for review and comments from August 3, 2018 to August 24, 2018. CBK has now finalized the Charter taking into account the comments received from commercial banks, microfinance banks, mortgage finance company and the public. The BSC represents a commitment from institutions in the banking sector to entrench a responsible and disciplined banking sector which is cognizant of, and responsive to the needs of their customers and the Kenyan populace at large.
The BSC is issued pursuant to section 33(4) (a) of the Banking Act and section 48(2A) (a) of the Microfinance Act which empowers the CBK to issue directions with respect to the standards to be adhered by institutions in the conduct of their businesses in Kenya.
The BSC applies to institutions carrying on banking business, financial business, mortgage finance business and micro-financing business under the Banking Act and Microfinance Act. The Charter is effective from March 1, 2019.
The purpose of this Circular therefore is to issue the Kenya Banking Sector Charter to commercial banks, microfinance banks and mortgage finance company for reference in developing BSC time bound plans approved by the institutions Boards. The Plans should be submitted to CBK by May 31, 2019. Thereafter, institutions will be required to submit a quarterly report to CBK on the progress of its implementation of the Charter within 10 days after the end of every calendar quarter.
Yours faithfully, DIRECTOR, BANK SUPERVISION Mr. Habil Olaka Cc .: Chief Executive Officer Kenya Bankers Association International Life House, Mama Ngina Street Nairobi.
Ms. Carol Karanja Ag. Chief Executive Officer Association of Microfinance Institutions of Kenya (AMFI-Kenya) Methodist Ministries Centre, 1st Floor, Right Wing P.O. Box 10701-00100 Nairobi.