2021-01-11
Added · Updated
The Central Bank of Jordan issued Instructions No. (1/2021) imposing specific consumer protection obligations on licensed exchange companies. These rules mandate transparent advertising, clear disclosure of exchange rates and fees, and strict confidentiality protocols for customer data. The document requires companies to establish specialized complaint handling units, submit quarterly complaint reports within 15 days of each quarter's end, and adhere to fair treatment standards including accessibility for customers with disabilities.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
[Logo of the Central Bank of Jordan]
Number: 4/27/ 677 Date: 27/ 5/ 1442 AH Corresponding to: 11/ 1/ 2021 AD
Financial Consumer Protection Instructions for Customers of Licensed Exchange Companies No. (1/2021)
Issued pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph (b/13) of Article (4) of the Central Bank of Jordan Law No. (23) of 1971 and its amendments, and Articles (17/c, d, e) and (20/c, d) of the Exchange Business Law No. (44) of 2015.
Article (1): Title of the Instructions These Instructions shall be titled "Financial Consumer Protection Instructions for Customers of Licensed Exchange Companies," and their provisions shall apply to service providers, namely licensed exchange companies in the Kingdom, subject to the supervision and oversight of the Central Bank.
Article (2): Definitions A- The following words and phrases shall have the meanings specified below wherever they appear in these Instructions, unless the context indicates otherwise:
B- The definitions contained in the prevailing Exchange Business Law shall apply wherever they are referenced in these Instructions, unless the context indicates otherwise.
Article (3): Scope of Application A. These Instructions apply to all licensed exchange companies in the Kingdom and to all services they provide to customers. B. Licensed exchange companies are responsible for any violation of the provisions of these Instructions, whether resulting from actions, omissions, or negligence by the Board, Senior Executive Management, or employees of the Company.
Article (4): Disclosure and Transparency A. Advertising for services provided by the Company must be clear and comprehensive, including all information, terms, and conditions related to those services. It must not contain false facts or incomprehensible phrases, must be drafted in easy-to-understand Arabic language with readable font, and must include the expiration date of the advertisement offer. B. The Company may advertise its services briefly through electronic means or visual/auditory advertising media, provided that all details related to the advertisement are available on its website and in its branches and offices, in accordance with Paragraph (a) of this Article. C. Advertisements must not disparage any competing exchange companies in any manner. D. The Company must provide brochures/booklets containing all services offered to customers, exchange rates, and commissions charged for those services at its work centers or branches. It must also publish the customer's right to file a complaint with the Company, the Central Bank, and the judiciary, and disseminate this information on the Company's website. E. The Company must transparently disclose the price of each foreign currency traded in the Company and display it in a prominent place within the Company's premises and branches. F. Invoices and/or notifications issued by the Company must include, at a minimum:
Article (5): Protection of Customer Data A. All customer data and information are considered confidential and must not be used or shared with any third party without the customer's prior written consent and in accordance with prevailing legislation and directives issued by the Central Bank on this matter. B. Employees of the Company must sign a written undertaking to maintain the confidentiality of customer data and information, ensuring their commitment not to misuse or disclose such data and information during their employment with the Company and even after leaving employment. C. The Company is responsible for protecting customer data and information and maintaining their confidentiality. The Company must provide a suitable environment and secure procedures to protect such data and information. D. The Company must prepare clear work procedures to ensure the protection of customers' electronic data. These procedures must address data entry, modification, and access, as well as archiving, destruction, and backup system protection procedures. The Company must also inform employees of these procedures and train them on them. E. The Company must not disclose any information related to customers when responding to their inquiries, except after verifying their personal identity and confirming their interaction with the Company.
Article (6): Fair and Respectful Customer Treatment A. The "Financial Consumer Protection Instructions for Customers with Disabilities" No. 2018/18 dated 2018/11/18 shall apply, enabling them to access the services provided by the Company easily and conveniently on the basis of equality, fairness, and respect without discrimination, to the extent applicable to customers of licensed exchange companies. B. Employees of the Company are prohibited from favoring or discriminating against customers during any stage of service provision based on religion, sect, race, gender, or any other reason. C. The Company must prepare a specific policy on principles of fair and respectful customer treatment that meets all requirements of these Instructions and obtain its approval from the Board or Senior Executive Management of the Company. This policy must be reviewed at least every (3) years or whenever necessary, taking into account customer needs through complaints or feedback from customers and relevant parties. The policy must consider the following:
Article (7): Handling Customer Complaints A. The "Internal Procedures for Handling Complaints of Customers of Financial and Banking Service Providers" No. (2017/1) dated 2017/8/28, or any other instructions replacing it, shall apply to handle complaints of the Company's customers. B. The Company must establish a specialized unit for handling customer complaints, commensurate with its capital, size, diversity of services, number of branches, and number of complaints. This unit must be under the supervision and follow-up of the Company's Senior Executive Management/General Manager, with necessary resources provided for its operation. C. The Company must prepare a specific policy/work procedures for handling customer complaints that meet the requirements of these Instructions, obtain approval from the Board, and review it at least every (3) years or whenever necessary, taking into account customer complaints or feedback. The following must be considered:
Article (8): General Provisions A. The Company must provide customers with invoices/notifications/forms upon the customer's request, even if there is a legal dispute between the customer and the Company. These must include all necessary details and data, at a minimum:
The Governor D. Ziad Frieh
Attached: Customer Complaints Report Annex.
| Category | Level One Information | Level Two Information |
|---|---|---|
| Nature and Type of Complaint | Electronic Services | Payment Services |
| Payment via I-Fawateercom system through the service provider's portal or other payment systems | ||
| Use of Online Banking Services | ||
| ATMs | ||
| Mobile Application Services | ||
| SMS Service | ||
| Commissions and Fees | Commissions imposed on products and services | |
| Fees imposed on services and products | ||
| Late fees and penalties | ||
| Interest Rates / Returns | Interest/Returns on deposits | |
| Interest/Returns on loans and credit cards | ||
| Professional Conduct | Refusal to provide service | |
| Employee behavior | ||
| Behavior of subsidiaries/agents | ||
| Employee non-responsiveness in providing service | ||
| Collection practices | ||
| Payment Cards | Payment from credit/debit cards at merchants and POS | |
| Payment from credit/debit cards via the Internet | ||
| Fraudulent transactions | ||
| PINs | ||
| Duplicate transaction postings | ||
| Credit card installments | ||
| Marketing of Services and Products | Advertising | |
| Sales process | ||
| Contracts and Terms | Agreement/Contracts | |
| Account transactions | ||
| Product insurance | ||
| Deposit products | ||
| Credit products | ||
| Non-issuance of product | ||
| Procedures related to issuing letters of commitment and certificates of no objection | ||
| Check collection/Returned checks | ||
| Services provided by companies and stores contracted with the service provider/suppliers | ||
| Work Environment | Difficulty contacting the service provider | |
| Delay in obtaining service | ||
| Workplace | ||
| Remittances | * Failure to pay the remittance on time | |
| ** Failure of the service provider to execute or deliver the remittance for reasons beyond its control | ||
| Failure to notify the customer about the remittance | ||
| Refusal by the service provider to transfer | ||
| Guarantees and Guarantors | Guarantees | |
| Guarantors | ||
| Account Classification | Dormant accounts | |
| Suspension/freezing of account/card for data update purposes | ||
| Credit Inquiry | ||
| **Others *** |