2019-03-30
The National Bank of Angola issued Notice No. 03/2019 to establish maximum limits on fees, charges, and exchange margins for foreign currency transactions, while mandating that all such costs be calculated in foreign currency but collected exclusively in national currency. The regulation applies to supervised Commercial Banks, caps specific transaction fees (e.g., 2% for prepaid card reloads and 7.5% for credit card cash advances), and restricts additional charges to those explicitly listed in the Annex without prior regulatory approval. Non-compliance constitutes a punishable offense under financial institution laws, with commercial banks required to align their pricing schedules within 60 days of publication.
NOTICE NO. 03/2019 SUBJECT: FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTION PRICING SCHEDULE
Whereas it is necessary to establish maximum limits for the fees and charges levied on foreign currency transactions, as well as for the exchange margin applied to certain operations, and to define the currency for collecting the aforementioned fees, aiming to ensure the protection of financial service consumers; Under the combined provisions of item b) of paragraph 1 of Article 26 of Law No. 16/10, dated July 15 – National Bank of Angola Law, and Article 64 of Law No. 12/2015, dated June 17 – Framework Law of Financial Institutions. IT IS DETERMINED:
Article 1. (Subject Matter) This Notice establishes maximum limits for the fees and charges levied on foreign currency transactions and for the exchange margin applied to certain operations, as well as defines the currency for collecting the aforementioned fees.
Article 2. (Scope) This Notice applies to Banking Financial Institutions under the supervision of the National Bank of Angola, hereinafter referred to as Commercial Banks.
Article 3. (Limits on Fees, Charges and Exchange Margin in Certain Operations)
CONTINUATION OF NOTICE NO. 03/2019 Page 2 of 6 credit or prepaid cards abroad, beyond those referred to in the Annex to this Notice, without prior authorization from the National Bank of Angola. 2. The maximum limits on fees and charges levied on foreign currency transactions are defined in the Annex to this Notice, which forms an integral part thereof. 3. Notwithstanding the provisions in points 2.2 and 2.4 of Instruction 20/2018, dated December 3, the maximum exchange margin applicable to foreign currency sales for the settlement of letters of credit and payment of foreign currency credits is limited to what is defined in the Annex to this Notice. 4. The maximum margin referred to in the preceding paragraph for sales operations intended for the payment of foreign currency credits applies regardless of whether such credits are for interest or principal, partial or total. 5. The National Bank of Angola, based on market circumstances, may alter the items referred to in the Annex to this Notice, as well as update the margins or limits indicated herein, whenever deemed necessary.
Article 4. (Reference Currency and Collection of Fees/Charges and Applicable Margins)
CONTINUATION OF NOTICE NO. 03/2019 Page 3 of 6
Article 5. (Penalties) Non-compliance with the provisions of this Notice constitutes an offense provided for and punishable under Law No. 12/15, dated June 17 - Framework Law of Financial Institutions.
Article 6. (Questions and Omissions) Questions and omissions arising from the interpretation and application of this Notice are resolved by the National Bank of Angola.
Article 7. (Transitional Provision) Commercial Banks must comply with the provisions of this Notice within 60 (sixty) days from the effective date.
Article 8. (Entry into Force) This Notice enters into force on the date of its publication.
PUBLISHED. Luanda, March 22, 2019. THE GOVERNOR JOSÉ DE LIMA MASSANO
CONTINUATION OF NOTICE NO. 03/2019 Page 4 of 6 ANNEX Limits on Fees and Charges Levied on Foreign Currency Transactions and Exchange Margin Applicable to Certain Operations
International Transactions Maximum 1.1 Prepaid Card per transaction Reloads/Top-ups 2.00% Withdrawals 3.00% Purchases or payments 3.00% 1.2 Credit Card Withdrawals (“cash advance” at ATMs or bank branches) 7.5% Purchases or payments 3.00%
Sale of Foreign Currency Banknotes Fee EUR 2.00
Fee and applicable exchange margin on foreign currency sales / conversion of foreign currency fees to national currency Fee - foreign currency sales 0.25% Margin - Foreign currency sales for payment of foreign currency credit 1 on the National Bank of Angola (NBA) reference exchange rate (sale) 0.25%1 Margin - conversion of fees calculated in foreign currency to national currency applicable to payment of foreign currency credit 1 on the National Bank of Angola (NBA) reference exchange rate (sale) 0.25%1 Margin - Foreign currency sales for payment of documentary credits 1 on the National Bank of Angola (NBA) reference exchange rate (sale) 0.50%1 Margin - conversion of fees calculated in foreign currency to national currency applicable to letters of credit 1 on the National Bank of Angola (NBA) reference exchange rate (sale) 0.50%1
CONTINUATION OF NOTICE NO. 03/2019 Page 5 of 6
Foreign Currency Cash Withdrawal from Current Account Fee 3%
Interbank Transfers in Foreign Currency 5.1 Issuance of Payment Orders Fee as a percentage of the transfer value, regardless of its purpose 0.60% with a maximum of EUR 450.00 Total expenses including administrative, correspondent, communication, among others.* EUR 70.00 Return due to payer error/cancellation/stop payment EUR 10.00
5.2 Receipt of Payment Orders Fee EUR 10.00
6.2 Documentary Collections for Exports Registration, Communication and Notification Fees EUR 60.00
7.2 Documentary Credits for Exports Notification Fee 0.2% flat Confirmation Fee 1% per quarter Value increase Fee 1% per quarter
CONTINUATION OF NOTICE NO. 03/2019 Page 6 of 6
Term extension Fee 1% per quarter Notification/Administrative and Communication Fees EUR 60.00 Cancellation Fees EUR 30.00