2026-03-31
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The Central Bank of Jordan amends its corporate governance instructions for banks to incorporate definitions for executive management, cybersecurity, emerging technologies, and acceptable risk levels. The amendments require boards to maintain a skills matrix, adopt specific ESG policies with measurable KPIs, and assume final responsibility for IT and digital transformation risks while prohibiting the delegation of board powers to committees. Additionally, the rules tighten fit-and-proper requirements for board members and senior executives, introduce stricter independence criteria for the company secretary, and grant the regulator explicit authority to object to candidates based on supervisory considerations regarding governance and stability.
No.: 10/2/5660 Date: 12/10/1447 AH Corresponding to: 31/3/2026 AD
Instructions No. (3/2026) Amending the Corporate Governance Instructions for Banks No. (2/2023)
Continuing the Central Bank of Jordan's approach of monitoring and reviewing its issued legislation and making any amendments that align with international standards and sound banking practices, and to keep pace with the most prominent developments related to financial technology and cybersecurity in banking work, it has been decided to make some amendments to the Corporate Governance Instructions for Banks No. (2/2023) dated 14/2/2023, as follows:
Article (1) These instructions are named (The Amending Instructions for the Corporate Governance Instructions for Banks for the year 2026) and shall be read together with the aforementioned Instructions No. (2/2023), hereinafter referred to as the Original Instructions, and shall come into force from the date of their issuance.
Article (2) Article (2) of the Original Instructions is amended as follows: By cancelling its preamble and replacing it with the following text: The words and phrases contained in these instructions shall have the meanings specified below or specified for them pursuant to the Banking Law and the Orders and Instructions issued thereunder, where no special meaning is specified for them below, unless the context or circumstances indicate otherwise.
By cancelling the text of paragraph (Z) and replacing it with the following text: Z. Senior Executive Management: Includes the General Manager of the Bank (or Regional Manager), Deputy General Manager (or Deputy Regional Manager), Assistant General Manager (or Assistant Regional Manager), Chief Financial Officer, Operations Director, Facilities Director, Treasury (Investment) Director, Risk Management Director, Internal Audit Director, Internal Shariah Audit Director, Compliance Director, Shariah Compliance Officer, Information Technology Director, Information Security and Cybersecurity Director, and any employee in the Bank who holds the same job grade and has executive authority parallel to any of the authorities of any of those mentioned and/or is functionally directly linked to the General Manager.
By adding paragraph (N) to it with the following text: N. Cybersecurity: The measures taken to protect information systems, networks, and critical infrastructure from cybersecurity incidents and the ability to restore their operation and continuity, whether access is unauthorized, misused, or due to failure to follow security procedures or exposure to deception leading to that.
By adding paragraph (S) to it with the following text: S. Emerging Technologies: Technologies that are still in the development or early adoption stages and possess the ability to have a fundamental impact on the economy, society, and national security, but have not yet reached full maturity in terms of standards and regulatory frameworks.
By adding paragraph (Ain) to it with the following text: Ain. Acceptable Risk Level: The level of risk that the Bank is willing to accept in order to achieve its strategic goals and operational plans, while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and protecting the rights of depositors and shareholders.
Article (3) Article (4) of the Original Instructions is amended as follows: By cancelling the text of paragraph (D) thereof and replacing it with the following text: D. Diversity in the composition of the Board shall be considered in terms of expertise, professional backgrounds, age, and gender, so that skills and experiences among Board members complement each other, enhancing the quality of decision-making and aligning with the size of the Bank (or banking group), the nature of its activity, and its strategy.
By adding paragraph (Heh) to it with the following text: Heh. The Bank is committed to preparing a Board Skills Matrix that includes an individual and collective assessment of members and identifies gaps in skills and experience, which shall be updated annually and provided to the Central Bank after being approved by the Board, accompanied by the procedures the Bank intends to take to address those gaps and the necessary timeframe for doing so.
Article (4) The text of paragraph (J) of Article (5) of the Original Instructions is amended by cancelling its text and replacing it with the following text: J. 1. The Bank must submit an application to obtain the prior non-objection of the Central Bank for the nomination of any person for membership on the Board (including the representative of a legal entity), and subsequently submit an application to obtain the prior non-objection of the Central Bank for any candidate for the position of Board Chairman and Company Secretary. 2. Applications for non-objection to the nomination of Board members must be attached with the Board's resolution and the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, including their vision of the expected added value for each candidate individually. 3. It must be verified that all candidates meet all requirements of these instructions properly, including filling out and signing the approved declarations and forms attached to these instructions, and attaching all required documents, including the curriculum vitae, academic certificates, experience certificates, certificate of good conduct or its equivalent from the home country/residence country for non-Jordanians, a copy of the civil ID card (or passport for non-Jordanians), and any other documents requested by the Central Bank. Any incomplete application will not be considered.
Article (5) Article (6) of the Original Instructions is amended as follows: By cancelling the text of paragraph (B) thereof and replacing it with the following text: B. The Board must determine the Bank's strategic objectives and direct the Executive Management to prepare the necessary policies, plans, and programs to achieve these strategic objectives, and the Board must approve them and approve the action plans and programs necessary for their implementation.
By cancelling the text of paragraph (D) thereof and replacing it with the following text: D. The Board must determine the Bank's institutional values, draw clear lines of responsibility and accountability, and approve the Risk Responsibilities Map that clarifies the distribution of tasks and authorities for all Bank activities and reinforces a high culture of ethical standards, integrity, and professional behavior for the Bank's managers.
By cancelling the text of paragraph (Z) thereof and replacing it with the following text: Z. The Board must approve a risk management strategy that includes a framework for risk culture and monitors its implementation, such that it includes the acceptable risk level and ensures that the Bank is not exposed to high risks, and that the Board has appropriate knowledge of the Bank's operating environment and associated risks, and ensures the existence of tools and infrastructure for risk management in the Bank capable of identifying, measuring, controlling, and monitoring all types of risks to which the Bank is exposed.
By cancelling the text of paragraph (Y) thereof and replacing it with the following text: Y. Regarding Sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG):
By cancelling the text of Item (1) of paragraph (N) thereof and replacing it with the following text: The number of committee members shall not be less than five members, and one of them may be an independent member, provided that none of them is a member of the Audit Committee, and in the case of the representative of a legal entity, they are not allowed to combine their membership in this committee with membership in the Audit Committee.
By adding paragraph (Ain) to it with the following text: Ain. The following qualifications must be available in whoever is appointed as Company Secretary: Good conduct and reputation. Holds at least a bachelor's degree in (Law, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration). Has practical experience of not less than (5) years in banking work, legal affairs, or corporate governance. Deep knowledge of Companies Law, Banking Law, and prevailing legislation. High skill in preparing and documenting meeting minutes and reports accurately and objectively.
By cancelling the text of Item (8/A) of paragraph (R) thereof and replacing it with the following text: The general organizational structure of the Bank.
By cancelling the text of Item (8/B) of paragraph (R) thereof and replacing it with the following text: A summary of the tasks of the Board committees.
By adding paragraph (T) to it with the following text: T. Regarding IT Governance, Cybersecurity, Financial Technology, Emerging Technologies, and Digital Transformation: The Board bears ultimate responsibility for overseeing IT, cybersecurity, financial technology, emerging technologies, and digital transformation risks in alignment and integration with the overall risk management framework of the Bank, including the acceptable risk level. The Board must adopt strategies for IT, cybersecurity, financial technology, emerging technologies, and digital transformation and ensure their alignment with the Bank's strategic objectives, and create specialized functional levels in financial technology and digital transformation. The relevant parties in IT and cybersecurity within the Bank are committed to submitting periodic reports to the Board or competent committees regarding the level of risks and major incidents and compliance with requirements related to IT and cybersecurity. The Bank is committed, when adopting emerging technologies with a fundamental impact, to documented pre-assessment of risks and legal and ethical requirements, accountability and transparency, effective supervision of major decisions, fairness and non-discrimination, protection of customer data and privacy, and continuous review of performance and risks. The governance requirements contained in this article apply in addition to the specialized frameworks and instructions issued by the Central Bank for this purpose.
By adding paragraph (Th) to it with the following text: Th. The Board is not allowed to delegate any of its authorities to any of the committees emanating from it.
By renumbering paragraphs to match the above amendments.
Article (6) Article (8) of the Original Instructions is amended by adding Item (9) to the tasks of the "Nomination and Remuneration Committee" listed therein with the following text: 9- Verifying the suitability of Board members and Senior Executive Management members initially and continuously.
Article (7) The text of Item (3) of paragraph (D) of Article (9) of the Original Instructions is amended by adding the phrase (and Information Security and Cybersecurity) after the phrase (Internal Shariah Audit) contained therein.
Article (8) The text of paragraph (Z) of Article (10) of the Original Instructions is amended by adding the phrase (or its equivalent from the home country/residence country for non-Jordanians) after the phrase (Certificate of Good Conduct) contained therein.
Article (9) The text of Item (8) of paragraph (D) of Article (15) of the Original Instructions is amended by cancelling its text and replacing it with the following text: 8. Preparing a comprehensive crisis management framework and recovery plans and approving them by the Board, including business continuity plans, which shall be examined periodically.
Article (10) The text of Item (6) of paragraph (D) of Article (17) of the Original Instructions is amended by cancelling its text and replacing it with the following text: No partner responsible for auditing and the audit team may combine auditing the Bank's accounts with any additional services outside the scope of auditing services assigned to the office.
Article (11) The text of paragraph (D) of Article (21) of the Original Instructions is amended by adding the phrase (or its equivalent from the home country/residence country for non-Jordanians) after the phrase (Certificate of Good Conduct) contained therein.
Article (12) Article (24) of the Original Instructions is amended as follows: By cancelling the text of paragraph (Heh) thereof and replacing it with the following text: Heh. The Bank must consider the representation of women in the membership of the Board and Senior Executive Management in accordance with the orders issued by the Central Bank on this specific matter.
By adding paragraph (Z) to it with the following text: Z. Despite the availability of qualifications, experience, and conditions stipulated in these instructions, the Central Bank, within its authorities and according to its discretion, may object to the nomination of any of the persons for whom these instructions require obtaining prior non-objection, if the Central Bank deems any of them unsuitable for supervisory reasons related to the application of sound governance principles, or the safety and stability of the Bank, or the protection of the rights of depositors and shareholders therein, or achieving banking stability in the Kingdom.
By renumbering paragraphs to match the above amendments. The attachments enclosed with the Original Instructions are replaced by the attachments enclosed with these instructions.
Please accept our highest respect,
The Governor Dr. Adel Al-Sharkas
Attachments: 9
Attachments
Attachment No. (1) Declaration of Board Member I, ........................................ Board Member of Bank ...................... Representing .................................. declare that I have not / do not have / am not:
Licensed Bank Certification The Bank confirms the suitability of the person (or representative of the legal entity) nominated and signed on this declaration for Board membership in accordance with the Central Bank's requirements and the Bank's own suitability policy, and the Bank testifies that it read this declaration and its attachments carefully, and that all information contained in the declaration and its attachments regarding the nominated person is accurate to its knowledge. Bank Name: Name of Company Secretary (or his deputy) who reviewed the declaration and its attachments: Date: Bank Stamp and Signature
Attachment No. (2) Declaration of Senior Executive Management Member I, ........................................ Candidate for the position of ......................... in Bank ........................................ declare that I have not / do not have / am not:
Licensed Bank Certification The Bank confirms the suitability of the person signed on this declaration for the position in accordance with the Central Bank's requirements and the Bank's own suitability policy, and the Bank testifies that it read this declaration and its attachments carefully, and that all information contained in the declaration and its attachments regarding the nominated person is accurate to its knowledge. Bank Name: Name of Human Resources Department Director (or his deputy) who reviewed the declaration and its attachments: Date: Bank Stamp and Signature
Attachment No. (3) Declaration of Shariah Supervisory Board Member I, ........................................ Member of the Shariah Supervisory Board for Bank ...................... declare that I have not / do not have / am not:
Licensed Bank Certification The Bank confirms the suitability of the person signed on this declaration for membership in the Shariah Supervisory Board in accordance with the Central Bank's requirements and the Bank's own suitability policy, and the Bank testifies that it read this declaration and its attachments carefully, and that all information contained in the declaration and its attachments regarding the nominated person is accurate to its knowledge. Bank Name: Name of the Board Secretary (or his deputy) who reviewed the declaration and its attachments: Date: Bank Stamp and Signature
Appendices to the Declaration
Personal Information about the Candidate. Candidate Name: Position: (Board Member / Sharia Supervisory Board Member / Senior Executive Management): National ID / Passport Number for non-Jordanians and nationality: Permanent Residence: Phone Number: Email Address: Date and Place of Birth:
Details of Academic Qualifications and Professional Certifications Obtained by the Candidate Academic Degree / Professional Certification Specialization Country / Scientific Institution Year Obtained
Companies where the Candidate held the position of Board Member, Sharia Supervisory Board Member, or Senior Executive Management Member during the past ten years Company Name / Bank Position Start Date of Employment End Date of Employment Reasons for Leaving the Position
Companies in which the Candidate owns shares or stakes directly or indirectly (excluding the Bank for which the Candidate is applying for membership or position) Company Name Nature of Activity Ownership Percentage Location
Shares owned by the Candidate in the capital of the Bank for which the Candidate is applying to work, whether in their own name, in the name of a related party, as a trustee, or as an agent Name of Shareholder Number of Shares Ownership Percentage Relationship to Candidate Number of Pledged Shares and the Pledgee
Appendix No. (4) Form No. (1) Chairman and Board Members / Bank................................................................................... Date: / / 20 No. Chairman and Board Members (Name of four segments for natural persons and according to the commercial register for legal persons) and nationality Name of the Representative of the Legal Person (Four segments) and nationality National ID of Jordanian Member / Passport Number of Non-Jordanian Member Number of Shares Owned by the Member in the Bank's Capital Number of Shares Owned by the Representative in the Bank's Capital Date of Birth Member's Independence Date of Joining the Board Number and Date of Central Bank of Jordan Non-Objection Letter regarding the Nomination Academic Qualifications Professional Experience Membership in Committees emanating from the Board Membership in Boards of Directors of other companies within and outside the Kingdom Current Positions held outside the Bank Notes Bank Stamp and Signature
Form No. (2) Legal Persons Members of the Board of Directors / Bank............................................................ Date: / / 20 No. Name of the Legal Person Type National ID of Jordanian Member Paid-up Capital Nature of Activity and Objectives Address Names of Chairman and Board Members of the Legal Person Notes Bank Stamp and Signature
Form No. (3) Senior Executive Management Members / Bank........................................................................................ Date: / / 20 No. Position: Name (Four segments) and nationality National ID of Jordanian Member / Passport Number of Non-Jordanian Member Date of Birth Academic Qualifications Professional Experience Date of Joining Employment at the Bank Date of Assuming Current Position Number and Date of Central Bank of Jordan Non-Objection Letter regarding the Appointment Number of Shares Owned in the Bank's Capital (If any) Membership in Boards of Directors of Companies as a Representative of the Bank Notes Bank Stamp and Signature
Form No. (4) Chairman and Sharia Supervisory Board Members / Bank................................................................................ Date: / / 20 No. Chairman and Sharia Supervisory Board Members (Name of four segments for natural persons) and nationality National ID of Jordanian Member / Passport Number of Non-Jordanian Member Date of Birth Date of Joining the Board Number and Date of Central Bank of Jordan Non-Objection Letter regarding the Nomination Academic Qualifications Professional Experience Current Positions held outside the Bank Notes Bank Stamp and Signature
Appendix No. (5) Form No. (1) Chairman and Board Members / Board of Directors of the Subsidiary Company......................................................... Date: / / 20 No. Chairman and Board Members (Name of four segments for natural persons and according to the commercial register for legal persons) and nationality Name of the Representative of the Legal Person (Four segments) and nationality National ID of Jordanian Member / Passport Number of Non-Jordanian Member Number of Shares Owned by the Member in the Subsidiary Company's Capital Number of Shares Owned by the Representative in the Subsidiary Company's Capital Number of Shares Owned by the Member in the Bank's Capital Number of Shares Owned by the Representative in the Bank's Capital Date of Birth Date of Joining the Board / Board of Directors Academic Qualifications Professional Experience Membership in Committees emanating from the Board / Board of Directors Membership in Boards of Directors of other companies within and outside the Kingdom Current Positions held outside the Subsidiary Company Notes Bank Stamp and Signature
Form No. (2) Legal Persons Members of the Board of Directors / Board of Directors of the Subsidiary Company................................................................. Date: / / 20 No. Name of the Legal Person Type National ID of Jordanian Member Paid-up Capital Nature of Activity and Objectives Address Names of Chairman and Board Members of the Legal Person Notes Bank Stamp and Signature
Form No. (3) Senior Executive Management Members of the Subsidiary Company................................................................................... Date: / / 20 No. Position: Name (Four segments) and nationality National ID of Jordanian Member / Passport Number of Non-Jordanian Member Date of Birth Academic Qualifications Professional Experience Date of Joining Employment at the Subsidiary Company Date of Assuming Current Position Number of Shares Owned in the Subsidiary Company's Capital (If any) Membership in Boards of Directors of Companies as a Representative of the Subsidiary Company Notes Bank Stamp and Signature
Appendix No. (6) Declaration of an Independent Board Member I, ....................................... , Member / Candidate for Membership of the Board of Directors of Bank ........... , hereby declare the following:
Appendix No. (7) Declaration of the Board Secretary I, ........................................ , Candidate for the position of Board Secretary of Bank ........................................ , hereby declare that I have not / do not / am not:
Appendix to the Board Secretary's Declaration
Personal Information about the Candidate. Candidate Name: National ID: Permanent Residence: Phone Number: Email Address: Date and Place of Birth:
Details of Academic Qualifications and Professional Certifications Obtained by the Candidate Academic Degree / Professional Certification Specialization Country / Scientific Institution Year Obtained
Companies in which the Candidate worked during the past ten years Company Name / Bank Position Start Date of Employment End Date of Employment Reasons for Leaving the Position
Companies in which the Candidate owns shares or stakes directly or indirectly (excluding the Bank for which the Candidate is applying for the position) Company Name Nature of Activity Ownership Percentage Location
Shares owned by the Candidate in the capital of the Bank for which the Candidate is applying to work, whether in their own name, in the name of a related party, as a trustee, or as an agent Name of Shareholder Number of Shares Ownership Percentage Relationship to Candidate Number of Pledged Shares and the Pledgee
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