2023-05-07
Added · Updated
The Central Bank of Jordan issued Instructions of Corporate Governance for Banks No. 2/2023, which apply to all banks and Islamic banks operating in Jordan. The document mandates that board compositions include at least eleven members with a minimum of four independent directors, subject to specific fit and proper criteria and Central Bank approval. It establishes detailed obligations for board tasks, including strategic oversight, risk management, and the establishment of specialized committees, while defining the roles and accountability of senior executive management and internal control functions.
1 10/2/3200 23/7/1444 Hijri 14 February 2023 Instructions of Corporate Governance for Banks NO. (2/ 2023) Pursuant to the Central Bank approach of following up the developments in best practices, and for the purposes of enhancing corporate governance in banks, these instructions were issued.
Governor Dr. Adel Al Sharkas Translation The Arabic Text Prevails
2 Table of Contents Article Page Article (1): References.......................................................................................................................3 Article (2): Definitions.......................................................................................................................3 Article (3): Scope of Application......................................................................................................5 Article (4): Board of Directors Composition...................................................................................5 Article (5): Fit and Proper Criteria of Board Members................................................................5 Article (6): The Board tasks.............................................................................................................8 Article (7): Board Meetings and its Committees..........................................................................14 Article (8): Board Committees.......................................................................................................14 Article (9): The Executive Management Tasks ............................................................................19 Article (10): Fit and Proper criteria of the Senior Executive Management Members .............21 Article (11): Conflict of Interests ...................................................................................................22 Article (12): Assessment of administrators Performance............................................................24 Article (13): Financial Compensations for the administrators ...................................................25 Article (14): Internal Audit Department.......................................................................................26 Article (15): Risk Management Department ................................................................................27 Article (16): Compliance Department ...........................................................................................29 Article (17): External Audit............................................................................................................29 Article (18): Additional Tasks of the Islamic Bank’s Board .......................................................32 Article (19): Additional Requirements for the Board Committees of the Islamic Bank ..........34 Article (20): Islamic Jurisprudence Supervision Board ..............................................................36 Article (21): Fit and Proper criteria of Islamic Jurisprudence Supervision Board Members.39 Article (22): Internal Sharia Audit Department ..........................................................................40 Article (23): Sharia Compliance ....................................................................................................41 Article (24): General and Transitional Provisions.......................................................................43 Attachments.....................................................................................................................................46
3 Article (1): References These instructions shall be called (Instructions of Corporate Governance for Banks). They are issued by virtue of the provisions of Article (4/b/3) and (65/b) of the Central Bank Of Jordan Law No. (23) of 1971 and its amendments, as well as Articles (2), (21), (22), (25), (33), (58), (59), (69/a) and (99/b) of the Banking Law No. (28) of 2000 and its amendments. The instructions will come into force on their issuance date. Article (2): Definitions The terms and phrases included in these instructions shall have the meanings assigned to each hereunder, unless the context indicates otherwise. The Banking Law and the instructions issued by its virtue are considered the reference to any other definitions referred to herein and not listed in this article. Corporate Governance The system by which the bank is oriented and directed, that aims to identifying and achieving the corporate goals of the bank, managing the bank’s operations in a safe and sound manner, protecting depositors interests, committing to the responsibility towards investment account holders, shareholders and other stakeholders, and ensuring the bank’s compliance with laws and regulations, and its internal policies and procedures. Stakeholders Any party of interest in the bank; depositors, investment accounts holders, shareholders, employees, creditors, customers or concerned regulators. Board The Board of directors of the bank Independent Member A board member other than the major shareholders- and who is not under the control of any thereof. He/ she shall have financial or banking qualifications or expertise, and in whom the conditions stipulated in Article (5/e) herein are present. Sharia Board The Islamic Jurisprudence Supervision Board of any Islamic bank. Sharia Compliance The framework that ensures compliance of the agreements, contracts and financial transactions of the Islamic Bank with the principles and rules of Islamic Sharia. Senior Executive Management Includes the general manager (Chief Executive Officer, “CEO”) or regional manager, deputy general manager or deputy regional manager, assistant general manager or assistant regional manager, Chief Financial Officer “CFO”,
4 Chief Operational Officer “COO”, Chief Credit Officer, Chief Treasury (and investment) Officer, Chief Risk Officer “CRO”, Internal Audit Manager, Internal Sharia Audit Manager, Chief Compliance Officer “CCO”, Chief Sharia Compliance Officer, and any other employee in the bank who occupies the same job position and has an executive power parallel to the powers of the aforementioned and/ or is directly reporting to the general manager. Fit and Proper Certain requirements, and standards relating to honesty, integrity, reputation, competence and qualifications in accordance with the requirements contained in these instructions to be present in those nominated to be members of the bank’s board, its senior executive management, and Sharia board. Consulting Position The position whose occupant has a contract or agreement with the bank to provide temporary consulting services, or who does so under an annual contract. External auditor Includes the audit office, partners in the audit office, and audit team members. Audit Office The office through which the audit team practices the profession and is registered with the Companies Control Department at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply as a civil company to practice the profession in accordance with the legislations in force. The partner in charge of the audit The licensed partner in the audit office who is responsible for the audit task and for the report issued on behalf of the audit office, and who possesses the experience, academic qualifications, and professional certificate that qualify him/ her to sign off the audit report. Audit Team The team members who perform audit procedures under the supervision of the partner in charge of the audit. This does not include members of the additional service team of nonaudit services.
5 Article (3): Scope of Application A. With respect to paragraphs (b and c) of this article, all banks including Islamic banks are required to abide by these instructions. B. The foreign bank branch operating in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan shall abide by these instructions to the extent applied thereto, or by the code and policies of Corporate Governance and fit and proper criteria issued by their headquarter (the mother bank) or supervisory authority in the home country, whichever achieves more the goals of corporate governance and fit and proper criteria. In case of any conflict, the branch shall inform the Central Bank and the mother company of such matter, and present the necessary clarification of such conflict, then obtain the Central Bank’s approval on reconciliations for such conflict. C. The provisions of Articles (4), (5), (6), (7), (8 except for item (b/2/b)), (12/a), (13/a), (18/k and L), (19/a/1), (19/b/1) and (24/a, b and d) do not apply to the foreign bank branch operating in the Kingdom. The board tasks mentioned in the articles that apply to the foreign bank branch operating in the Kingdom are part of board tasks or of those relating to reference authority to which the regional manager reports. Article (4): Board of Directors Composition A. The board should consist of no less than eleven members, except where the bank is owned by one shareholder, when it shall consist of at least seven members. B. Neither the chairman nor any board member has the right to combine their position with any executive position or any position under which they participate in managing the daily work of the bank or any consulting position therein. C. Independent members of the board shall not be less than four, except where the bank is owned by one shareholder. D. The diversity and integration of skills and experiences amongst board members shall be taken into account so as to provide a wide range of visions and viewpoints in line with the size of the bank (or banking group), the nature of its activity and its strategy. Article (5): Fit and Proper Criteria of Board Members A. The board shall approve a policy to ensure the fit and proper of its members. Such policy shall include the minimum standards, requirements and conditions, which are to be fulfilled by the candidate member. This policy should be reviewed whenever needed. The board shall also set
6 out adequate procedures and systems to ensure that all members meet these criteria and continue to do such. B. Those who assume the chairman (or membership) of the board must meet the following requirements:
7 D. The chairman shall make sure to notify the Central Bank of any material information which may negatively affect the fit and proper of any members thereof and of the representative of the legal entity. E. The Nomination and Compensation Committee shall determine the requirements necessary to ensure the independence of the member, which shall include the following conditions as a minimum:
8 exceeding the mentioned percentage. The Central Bank has the right to consider some cases related to nominated persons who have memberships in public shareholding companies. F. The Central Bank has the right to deem any member as non independent according to certain information, despite the fact that he/ she meets all the conditions stipulated in Paragraph (e) hereof. G. The Board has the right to, if it deems it necessary and for clear and specific justifications, appoint a consultant. Doing such shall be within the scope of tasks consistent with the nature of the consultant’s work, shall not include supervisory or executive tasks in any way, shall be within a specific timeframe and shall not negatively affect the board role of overseeing the bank’s business in line with its tasks stipulated in the legislations, including the Banking Law. The Central Bank no- objection should be obtained for this appointment. Article (6): The Board tasks A. The board shall oversee the executive management, approve a policy for monitoring and reviewing their performance to achieve the corporate goals and ensure the soundness of all bank operations. B. The board shall define the bank’s strategic goals, orient the executive management to prepare a strategy to fulfill these goals and, then, approve the strategy and the related action plans that go in line with this strategy. C. The board shall ensure the availability of policies, plans and work procedures in the bank that cover all of its functions, and which are in line with the concerned regulations. All of such are to be circulated across all managerial levels and reviewed on a regular basis. D. The board shall establish the bank corporate values, draw clear lines as to the responsibilities and accountability for all bank functions, as well as establish a high- level culture in terms of moral standards, integrity and professional conduct of the bank administrator. E. The board shall be responsible for carrying out the Central Bank requirements and those of other supervisory and regulatory authorities, and taking care of the stakeholders interests. It shall ensure also that the bank is duly managed within the framework of the laws and regulations and its internal policies, and that the effective monitoring of the bank’s activities, including outsourced activities, is always in place.
9 F. With due observance to article (10/ g) of these instructions, the board, in light of the recommendations made by the relevant committee, must approve the appointment of the general manager, the internal audit manager, CRO and CCO, and is responsible for accepting their resignations or termination of services. G. The board shall approve a risk management strategy and monitor its continuous implementation. Such strategy shall include the bank’s risk appetite that prevents exposing the bank to high risks. The board shall be aware completely of the operational work environment and associated risks thereto. The board also shall ensure the availability of tools and infrastructure to manage the risks and that they are capable to define, measure, analyze, evaluate, and control all risk types which the bank may be exposed to. H. The board shall ensure the availability of sufficient Management Information Systems “MIS”, that are reliable and covering all the bank activities. I. The board shall verify that the “bank business credit policy” include an assessment of the customers’ corporate governance quality for public shareholding companies, in a way that customers risk assessment shall be done by adopting strength and weakness points according to their governance performance. J. The board shall develop an environmental and social policy. This policy shall include the bank disclosures of the initiatives it conducts in this regard within its annual report and/ or sustainability report. Such initiatives shall at least be:
10 level. Such is to be done in a way to comply with these instructions and the group structure, and shall be applied to all group units to ensure that the subsidiaries policies are in parallel with these instructions, where possible, taking into consideration relevant instructions issued by regulators of host countries where the subsidiaries exist. 2. When the domestic bank is part of a banking group, the board should be familiar with the group structure, especially complicated ones, through knowing the interconnections and relationships between the entities and Mother Company. It shall be also aware of the adequacy of the corporate governance within the group in terms of adapting the corporate governance policies and strategies of the mother company to these instructions or any instructions issued by the Central Bank or other related supervisory authorities thereafter. In case of a conflict, the Central Bank approval to rectify it shall be obtained. N. The board shall specify the banking operations which require its approval in a way that is not exhaustive and jeopardizing its supervisory role, and shall not grant executive authority, including granting credit, to a sole board member including the chairman. The board has the right to constitute a committee called “credit committee” to look exclusively into credit exceeding the authority of the highest committee in the executive management and as follows:
11 4. Following up the execution of decisions made by the board, and the discussion of any topics adjourned from a previous meeting. 5. Maintaining the records and documents of the board meetings. 6. Taking appropriate actions to ensure that the drafted decisions to be issued by the board are in conformity with the laws and regulations including those issued by the Central Bank. 7. Preparing for General Assembly meetings. 8. Coordinating with board committees. 9. Providing the Central Bank with fit and proper declarations signed by board members. P. The board members and committees shall have the ability to directly contact the executive management and the board secretary, and they shall be empowered to do the duties entrusted to them. However, no board member shall affect the senior executive management decisions unless through negotiations conducted in the board’s or its committees’ meetings. Q. The board shall take due diligence measures when deciding on any of the issues related to the bank business, and consider the sound bases in the decisions taken in this regard in a manner that guarantees carrying out its duties at highest levels of professionalism. R. The chairman must undertake the following as a minimum:
12 7. Providing each member with sufficient summary on the bank’s operations on the date of appointment or upon request. 8. With the assistance of both the bank’s legal counselor/ legal department manager and the secretary of the board, deliberating with any new member on the board’s responsibilities and roles, especially those relating to legal and organizational requirements, so as to clarify the tasks, authorities, and other matters of membership such as membership term, meetings schedules, committees’ responsibilities, remunerations, and the possibility of obtaining independent technical advice when necessary. 9. Meeting the board members’ needs for developing their expertise and continuous learning. The new board member shall participate in an Orientation (induction) Program that suits his/ her banking background and includes, as a minimum, the following topics: a. The bank’s organizational structure, corporate governance, and code of conduct. b. Corporate goals, the bank’s strategic plan, and its approved policies. c. Financial position of the bank. d. The bank’s risks profile and Risks management framework therein. S. Each board member must undertake the following as a minimum:
13 d. Website of the bank e. Shareholders relationship section. 2. Make sure of allocating part of the bank website to include clarification on shareholders rights, and encouraging them to attend and cast their votes in the General Assembly meetings. This is in addition to publishing meetings documents including complete text of the invitation and meetings minutes. 3. Make sure that the financial and non- financial information of concern to stakeholders has been published at the earliest convenience. 4. Make sure that the bank annual report includes a statement from the board to the effect that the board is responsible for the accuracy and sufficiency of financial data, all data included in the report, and the adequacy of the internal controls. 5. Make sure of the bank’s commitment to disclosures defined under the international financial reporting standards (IFRSs), international accounting standards (IASs), Central Bank instructions, and other legislations of concern. The board shall also ensure that the executive management is aware of the changes on International Financial Reporting Standards. 6. Ensure publishing the corporate governance code on the bank’s website and through any other suitable means to make it available for public viewing. The bank shall include and disclose in its annual report the presence of the code, and to what extent the bank complies with its contents. 7. Ensure that the annual and quarterly reports of the bank include disclosures that enable the current or prospective shareholders to access operations outcomes and the financial position of the bank. 8. Make sure that the annual report includes the following, as a minimum: a. Summary of the bank’s organizational structure. b. Summary of the responsibilities and roles of the board committees and any other authorities delegated by the board for such committees. c. Information of concern to stakeholders contained in the corporate governance code of the bank. d. Information on each board member in terms of his/ her qualifications, expertise, shares in the capital, being independent or not, membership in board committees, date of appointment, and memberships in other companies' boards. e. Information on the risk management department including its structure, nature of operations, and developments undergone thereon. f. Number of the meetings of the board and its committees and the number of each member’s attendance of these meetings.
14 g. Names of all board members and senior executive management who resigned during the year. h. Summary on remuneration granting policy in the bank, disclosing all remuneration types and forms of the board members on individual basis, and remuneration of all types which have been granted to the senior executive management on individual basis, for the last year. i. Declarations by all board members stating that neither they nor any related entity received any benefits, whether financial or otherwise, from the bank without declaring it, for the last year. Article (7): Board Meetings and its Committees A. With due observance to the provisions of Article (6/N/4) of these instructions, the quorum for any committee meeting shall not be less than (3) members, including the committee chair. It is not permissible to nominate an alternate member in any committee meeting in the absence of any member. B. With due observance to the provisions of Article (6/O /3) of these instructions, the board members have the right to attend its meetings and those of its committees by any means of video conferencing, provided that the board chairman and the secretary approve the minutes of the board meeting and its quorum, and the committee chair and the secretary approve the minutes of the committee meeting and its quorum. Article (8): Board Committees A. The board of directors shall form committees from its members, approve the charter for each committee that include as a minimum the committee composition, its duties and authorities, frequency and quorum of its meetings, nomination of a secretary thereof, while defining his/ her duties including accurately recording all discussions, suggestions, objections, reservations and methods of voting on the drafted committee decisions. Such committees shall report periodically to the board. The existence of such committees shall not relieve the board from its responsibilities. B. The board shall form the following committees as a minimum. It is prohibited for any board member to be the chair of more than one of the committees mentioned below, nor he/ she can be the chair of more than two of all board committees. The authorities of any board committee mentioned hereof shall not be delegated to any other party. Banks are
15 also prohibited from forming any committee that has any executive authorities, while this does not include the “credit committee” stipulated in these instructions:
A. With respect to the Jordanian Bank: 1.Subject to the Banking Law, the majority of the committee members including the committee chair shall be independent members. The chair of the committee shall not be a chair of any other committee derived from the board, nor the committee shall include the chairman. 2.The majority of the committee members must have academic qualifications in the fields of accounting, finance, or to have professional certifications in these two areas. They must also have relevant experience in the fields of accounting, finance, external audit, internal audit, or banking. The bank shall rectify its status in this regard within two years as of the date of issuing these instructions. 3.Subject to the Banking Law regarding the committee tasks and authority, it shall review the following matters:
16 a. Scope, outcomes, and adequacy of the internal and external audit in the bank. b. Accounting issues that have material impact on the bank financial statements. c. Internal control systems. 4.The committee shall recommend to the board the appointment of the external auditor, the termination of their service, determination of their fees, their independency assessment and any other provisions relating to contracting with them. This is in addition to any other services assigned to the auditor. 5.The committee charter shall include the following: a. The committee shall possess the authority to get any information from the executive management either directly or through the internal audit manager. b. The committee shall has the right to call any administrator to attend any of its meetings. 6.The committee shall hold meetings (separate meetings) with the external auditor, internal audit manager, Chief Compliance Officer, Internal Sharia Audit Manager, Chief Sharia Compliance Officer at least once a year without the presence of other senior executive management members. 7.The committee shall review, oversee and ensure that the bank has appropriate and effective whistleblowing procedures, which enable the employee to speak up in a confidential way about any errors in the financial statements or any other matters. The committee shall also ensure the availability of arrangements necessary for independent investigation and shall ensure following up investigation outcomes, and treatment actions in an objective manner. 8.The committee shall verify that the internal audit department complies with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing issued by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), including conducting an independent external evaluation of the internal audit activity at least once every five years and providing the Central Bank with a copy thereof. 9.The Committee shall verify the availability of sufficient resources and a sufficient number of qualified human staff for the Internal Audit Department and enrolling them in specialized training programs, including those in the field of corporate governance. 10. The committee shall verify that the internal audit staff are rotated to the bank audit activities every three years as a maximum. In the event of the inability to achieve this in certain areas, the committee’s approval shall be taken regarding the justifications for non- compliance, especially in specialized cases such as the information technology and cybersecurity audit. 11. The committee shall verify that the internal audit staff are not assigned any executive tasks. 12. The committee shall ensure that all activities of the bank are subject to audit- in accordance with the risk- based approach- including outsourced activities. 13. The committee shall evaluate the performance of the internal audit manager and determine his/ her remunerations in accordance with the performance appraisal policy approved by the board. B. With respect to the foreign bank branch: This committee is formed of the managers of the foreign bank’s supervisory departments. It is chaired by the internal audit manager and its meetings are legal in the presence of all its members. The committee works under the oversight of the Audit Committee established by the
17 Board of Directors of the mother bank or the regional authority to which the branch belongs with regard to the audit activity, as applicable, and to whom it submits its reports and recommendations. The committee exercises the duties and authorities specified in its charter. 3. Nomination and compensation committee: a. This committee consists of at least 3 members, the majority thereof including the chair are independent members. b. This committee shall have the following roles:
18 4. Risk Management Committee: a. This committee shall consist of, at least, three members, the majority of whom, including the chair, should be independent members. The bank shall rectify its status in this regard within a period up to one year as of the date on which these instructions are issued. b. The committee shall convene at least once every three months and whenever necessary. c. The committee shall have the following roles:
19 c. The committee shall have the following roles:
20 the hierarchical order and reflect the lines of authority and responsibility in a detailed and clear manner, and that the general organizational structure includes, at a minimum, the following:
21 2. Implement bank's strategies and policies. 3. Implement the board decisions. 4. Provide guidance for executing short and long- term action plans. 5. Establish mechanisms to convey bank's vision, mission and strategy to employees. 6. Inform the board of all important aspects of the bank's activities. 7. Manage the daily activities of the bank. 8. To approve a detailed description of the tasks of each organizational unit (except for the supervisory departments that must be approved by the relevant committee/ sharia board), provided that all staff of the bank are informed of it each according to their specialization. Article (10): Fit and Proper criteria of the Senior Executive Management Members A. The board shall approve a policy to ensure the fit and proper of the senior executive management members in the bank. Such policy shall include the standards, requirements and conditions that must be met by any member of the senior executive management. The board shall review this policy periodically, and set out adequate procedures and systems to ensure that all senior executive management members meet the fit and proper criteria and continue to do such. B. The board shall verify that the general manager enjoys integrity and has technical competency and banking expertise. C. The bank shall obtain the board’s approval on appointing/ transferring/ promoting/ assigning or accepting the resignation of, or terminating the services of any of the senior executive management members in the bank. D. The board shall set up a succession plan to the senior executive management members in the bank, and review it at least once a year. E. The chairman shall ensure that the Central Bank is notified of any material information that may negatively affect the fit and proper of any member of the senior executive management. F. Any member appointed in the senior executive management of the bank shall meet the following conditions:
22 4. To have at least five years of experience in the field of banking (mostly in the field of the job for which he is nominated) or related business, except for the general manager or regional manager who must have at least ten years of experience in the field of banking. 5. Not to be a major shareholder and not to be related to the chairman of the board, or any of the board’s members, or any major shareholder in the bank up to a third degree kinship in the case of the general manager, and to a first degree kinship in the case of any other member of the senior executive management. G. The Bank shall obtain a No- Objection from the Central Bank before appointing/ transferring/ promoting/ assigning any member of the senior executive management, provided that the board's decision, the relevant committee’s recommendation, the approved general organizational structure, the member's declaration (according to attachment (2) and its annex), CV, academic and experience certificates, a no- criminal record certificate, and a copy of the identification card (passport for non- Jordanians) shall be attached to the No- Objection request, since the Central Bank will not consider any No- objection request unless it is complete with the above attachments. H. The Bank shall obtain a No- Objection from the Central Bank on the resignation or termination of the services of the general manager/ regional manager, the internal audit manager, risk management manager, compliance manager, Sharia compliance officer, and the Central Bank hasthe right call upon any administrator to inquire about the reasons of resignation or termination of services. Article (11): Conflict of Interests A. The board shall approve a policy that governs conflict of interests of all forms including those arising from the bank’s connection to the companies within the banking group, and shall approve the necessary measures to ensure the adequacy of the controls and internal supervision to monitor the compliance to this policy and prevent violations thereof. This policy shall include the following as a minimum:
23 3. The board member shall not disclose the confidential information of the bank or use it to his/ her own interest or for the benefit of others, and the representative of the legal entity shall not disclose any confidential information circulated during the meetings of the board or its committees to any person, including any administrator of the legal entity. 4. The board member shall favor the bank’s interest in all business transactions conducted with any other company in which he/ she has a personal interest. In addition, he/ she shall not use the bank’s commercial business opportunities to his/ her own interest, and shall avoid conflict of interests and disclose to the board in detail any conflict of interests, if any, with a commitment not to attend a meeting or participate in a decision taken therein, where such a topic is discussed, and to record this disclosure in the minutes of any meeting of the board or its committees.. 5. Examples of cases that result into conflict of interests, provided that they include conflicts that arise between the interest of the board member and the interest of the bank, or between the interest of the member of the Sharia Board and the interest of the bank, or between the interest of the member of the executive management and the interest of the bank, or between the interest of any of the companies within the banking group, subsidiaries or affiliates of the bank and the interest of the bank. 6. Identify the bank’s related counterparties in accordance with the legislations in force and determine the conditions of transactions with those parties in a manner that ensures that the bank’s related counterparty does not get better conditions than the conditions applied by the bank to another customer who does not have a relationship with the bank, and this includes all the bank's transactions with any of the companies within the banking group of which the bank is a part. 7. Determine the nature of transactions with the related counterparties to include all types of transactions without being limited to credit facilities only. 8. Procedures followed by the bank when identifying cases of non- compliance with the above policy. B. The Board shall approve a code of professional conduct enabling the bank to carry out its business with high integrity, and includes at a minimum the cases that may result in a conflict of interests, and shall verify that it has been circulated to all administrative levels of the bank. C. The internal audit department shall conduct a test at least once a year to ensure that all the transactions carried out with the bank’s related counterparties have been executed in accordance with the legislations in force and the bank's internal policies and approved procedures, and it
24 shall submit its reports and recommendations thereon to the audit committee. The audit committee shall inform the Central Bank upon verification of any violation of any of the legislations in force and internal policies in this field. D. The board shall ensure that the executive management has high integrity in conducting their work, avoids conflict of interests, and objectively implements the approved policies and procedures. E. The board shall approve controls for transfer of information among the various departments to prevent its exploitation for personal interest. Article (12): Assessment of administrators Performance A. The board shall ensure the presence of a system to assess its business and its members and committees’ businesses. Such system shall include the following at a minimum:-
25 extent to which they achieve their goals, provided that it shall include, as a minimum, the following:
26 postponement are determined based on the nature and risks of the work as well as on the concerned administrator’s activities. 6. The form of compensation shall be determined in the form of fees, salaries, allowances, bonuses, stock options or any other benefits, provided that the instructions of effective interest ownership are considered. 7. A mechanism for claw back the deferred compensation granted to the administrator in case it turns out later that there are any problems in his/ her performance or that he/ she exposed the bank to high risks due to the decisions that fall within his/ her authorities and were taken by him/ her and could have been avoided. 8. Financial compensations shall not be granted to administrators of supervisory departments based on the results of the work of the departments under their supervision. Article (14): Internal Audit Department A. The board shall take the necessary measures to promote the effectiveness of the internal audit by giving the necessary importance to the internal audit activity and establishing it in the bank, ensuring and enhancing the independence of internal auditors, and giving them an appropriate position in the bank's career ladder. The board shall ascertain that they have the knowledge, skills and competence necessary to perform their tasks, and shall guarantee their access to all records and information, and to contact with any administrator to enable them to perform the duties assigned to them and prepare their reports without any interference. B. The board shall verify that the internal audit department is subject to the direct supervision of the audit committee, and that it reports directly to the audit committee with a copy sent to the general manager. In addition, the general manager has the right, with the approval of the audit committee chair, assign the internal audit department with assurance or consulting tasks, provided that this assignment does not affect the independence of the internal audit department. C. The internal audit department shall carry out the following tasks as a minimum:
27 3. Developing an audit plan that comprises the bank’s activities including the activities of other supervisory departments and outsourced activities, according to the risk degree of these activities, provided that this plan is approved by the audit committee. 4. Reviewing the compliance with the corporate governance code and its related policies and charters on an annual basis, preparing a detailed report thereof, and submitting it to the audit committee with a copy sent to the corporate governance committee. 5. Reviewing the accuracy and comprehensiveness of stress testing in accordance with the methodology approved by the board. 6. Ensuring the accuracy of the procedures followed for Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP). 7. Auditing the financial and managerial matters. 8. Following up the violations and observations included in the reports of the supervisory authority and the external auditor, and making sure to address them and that the executive management has the appropriate controls to prevent their recurrence. 9. Ensuring the availability of the procedures required for receiving, handling and keeping the complaints of the bank’s customers, and the observations related to the accounting system, internal control, auditing processes, and submitting periodic reports thereof. 10. Keeping the audit reports and working papers, for a period consistent with the provisions of the legislations in force in this regard, in an orderly and safe manner to be ready for reviewing by the supervisory authority and the external auditor. Article (15): Risk Management Department A. The board shall ensure the independence of the risk management department and grant the department the authorities required to access information from other bank’s departments and to cooperate with other committees to perform its tasks. B. The board shall verify the remedy of the overrides beyond the risk appetite, including accountability of the concerned senior executive management with such overriding. C. The board shall make sure that the risk management department uses periodical stress testing to measure the bank’s ability to withstand the high risks & stressed conditions. The board shall have also the main role in approving the used assumptions and scenarios, discussing the results of such tests, and approving the procedures to be taken in light of these results.
28 D. The risk management department shall carry out the following tasks as a minimum:
29 compared with the risk appetite document, and following up the remedy of negative deviations. The executive management has the right to request special reports, as needed, from the bank’s risk management department. Article (16): Compliance Department A. The board shall ensure the independence of compliance department. B. The board shall approve the tasks of the compliance department, so that these tasks are as a minimum:
30 8- Criteria of selecting the audit office and the partner in charge, taking into account the following requirements as a minimum: a) Audit office:
31 Islamic banks, and to be fully knowledgeable of legislations related to Islamic banks’ business including the legislations issued by the Central Bank. b) Be fully knowledgeable of Islamic banks’ business, their risks, and the standards for accounting and auditing issued by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) and the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB). B. The bank shall ensure regular rotation of the external auditor every seven years as a maximum, provided that the external auditor shall not be changed during the contract period except after obtaining the approval of the Central Bank and based on substantial reasons. C. The previous office should not be re- elected before at least three years from the date of its last election with the bank. D. The audit committee shall verify the independence of the external auditor during the contract period, beginning and continuing, so as to ensure absence of any conflict of interests between the bank and the external auditor, and the board shall ensure that, and verify that the terms of contract with the external auditor include the following as a minimum:
32 Additional Corporate Governance Requirements for the Islamic Bank Considering the nature of the Islamic bank's business, which requires taking all measures to ensure that all of its business is compatible with the provisions of Islamic Sharia, and to provide the supervisory means that ensure that, the Islamic Bank shall comply with the requirements of the following Articles (18-23) in addition to what is stated in these instructions. Article (18): Additional Tasks of the Islamic Bank’s Board A. Verify setting the adequate controls that ensure the compliance of all the banking activities with the provisions and principles of Islamic Sharia, fatwas and Sharia decisions issued by the Sharia board. B. Approve the policy that organizes the relationship between the bank/ shareholders and the investment accounts holders, provided that such policy is reviewed by the Sharia board and published on the bank’s website, so that it includes quantitative and qualitative disclosures. C. Approve the code of policies and procedures relating to the compliance with the Islamic Sharia provisions and principles. This code shall include the following as a minimum:
33 G. Ensure the adherence to the governance standards issued by Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI). H. Ensure allocating part of the bank’s website to include clarification on the rights of investment accounts holders. I. Verify that the general manager implements all decisions and Fatwas issued by the Sharia board and adheres to them. J. Ensure that Sharia risks, which the bank may be expose to, are included in the ICAAP methodology of the bank. K. The chairman shall ensure that the orientation program provided to the board member includes topics relating to Sharia controls. L. Subject to the provisions of Article (6/ t) of these instructions, the annual report of the Islamic bank shall include the following:
34 Article (19): Additional Requirements for the Board Committees of the Islamic Bank A. Audit committee
35 F. Verify that all the bank activities are subject to internal sharia audit including the outsourced activities. G. recommend to the board to approve the internal sharia audit charter and verify that it includes the tasks of the internal Sharia audit department, before circulating it within the bank H. Ensure the adequacy and efficiency of the internal Sharia audit department through reviewing its reports and the executive management’s feedback on such reports. I. Ensure the capability of the external auditor to review the compliance of the bank with the Sharia controls within the conditions stated in the engagement letter signed with him and make sure he is doing so. J. Assess the performance of internal sharia audit manager, and define his compensations in line with the performance appraisal policy approved by the board. B. Nomination and Compensation Committee The nomination and compensation committee of Islamic Bank shall handle the following tasks:
36 6. Verify the fit and proper of the member of the sharia board, taking into account the minimum conditions mentioned in paragraph (21/ b) of these Instructions, review this on an annual basis, and provide the Central Bank with any updates on the fit and proper of the member. 7. Recommend to the board the approval of a policy to determine the compensations of the members of the sharia board. Article (20): Islamic Jurisprudence Supervision Board Taking into consideration article (58) of the Banking Law no. (28) of year (2000) and its amendments, the bank shall comply with the following in respect to the sharia board: A. The board of the Islamic bank shall be responsible for the following:
37 5. Ensure signing an engagement letter between the Sharia board and the bank in which the scope of the Sharia board work is specified in addition to its tasks and compensations. 6. Ensure that the Sharia board has the necessary information and unrestricted access to all bank's activities and to contact any administrator in the bank, and has all the authorities that enable it to perform its tasks. B. The mother bank shall appoint local Sharia board of no less than three members for foreign Islamic branch operating in the kingdom, so that the conditions and tasks stipulated in these instructions are applied thereto. C. The Sharia board Meetings:
38 H. The Sharia board shall give an opinion of the Memorandum of Agreement and the Article of Association of the bank, and ensure their compliance with the Islamic Sharia provisions and principles. I. The Code of Conduct of the bank shall apply to the members of the sharia board. J. The member of the Sharia board shall avoid conflict of interests and maintain justice and fairness among stakeholders. K. The Sharia compliance officer shall be appointed as secretary of the Sharia board, and shall carry out the following tasks:
39 3. Review the policies and instructions related to the Islamic Sharia provisions and approve them. 4. Provide consultation to the parties providing services to the bank such as auditors, lawyers, and consultants. 5. Approve semi- annual/ annual report about the Sharia commitment, which includes the efficiency of internal Sharia controls and any weaknesses in the systems of the Sharia controls and the internal Sharia supervision, which have a crucial impact. The semiannual report shall be submitted to the board of directors and the annual report to the general assembly of shareholders with a copy of each sent to the audit committee and the Central Bank. Article (21): Fit and Proper criteria of Islamic Jurisprudence Supervision Board Members The Islamic bank shall ensure the fit and proper of the Sharia board members through the following: A. The board shall approve a policy to ensure the fit and proper of the Sharia board members. Such policy shall include the minimum standards, requirements, and conditions to be fulfilled by the nominated and appointed member. This policy shall be subject to review whenever needed. B. Those who assume the chair and membership of the Sharia board must meet the following requirements:
40 business, which the bank delivers to its clients provided that the same terms, of similar transactions with any other party, are applied without any preferential terms. 7. Not up to a second degree relative to any of the board’s members or any other person from the senior executive management at the bank. He/ she shall not get from the bank any salary, cash amounts, compensation, privileges, or gifts except what he/ she receives in return of his/ her membership in the Sharia board or in return of any additional tasks he/ she is assigned without affecting his/ her fit and proper. 8. Not to be a shareholder of the bank, a shareholder of any of the subsidiary companies of the bank, or a shareholder of the group owning the bank. C. The chair/ member of the Sharia board in the bank shall be appointed for four renewable years. D. The bank shall obtain a no- objection letter from the Central Bank to nominate any person for membership of the Sharia board, provided that the recommendations of the Nomination and Compensation Committee and of the board, the declaration (according to the attached form No. (3) and its annex), the nominee’s CV, academic certificates, experience certificates, a certificate of no- criminal record, and a copy of the identification card (passport for non-Jordanians) are attached to the no- objection request. The Central Bank will not consider any no- objection request unless it is completed with the above attachments. E. The chairman of the board shall make sure that the Central Bank is notified of any material information that may negatively affect the fit and proper of any member in the Sharia board. F. When there is a need to appoint members of the Sharia board who reside outside the kingdom, the number of such members shall not exceed half of the Sharia board members. Article (22): Internal Sharia Audit Department A. The board shall take the necessary procedures to enhance the effectiveness of internal Sharia audit, through giving due attention to the importance of the internal Sharia audit activity and establishing this in the bank, enhancing the independency of internal Sharia auditors, offering them an appropriate position in the bank's job structure, ensuring that they have the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies to perform their tasks, as well as ensuring their right to access all records and information, and their ability to approach any administrator inside the bank to enable them to perform the tasks assigned to them and to prepare their reports without any interference. B. The board shall make sure that the internal Sharia audit department is subject to the direct supervision of the audit committee, and that it submits its final reports to the audit committee, and submits copies of those reports to the Sharia board and the general manager.
41 C. The internal sharia audit department shall share draft preliminary reports and observations with the Sharia board to obtain their opinions and conclusions regarding Sharia issues when needed. D. The performance of the internal Sharia audit staff is evaluated by the internal Sharia audit manager in accordance with the performance appraisal policy approved by the board. E. The audit committee shall make sure that the internal Sharia audit department is capable of carrying out the following tasks as a minimum:
42 B. The Sharia Board shall supervise the Sharia compliance function, which is in dotted line with the Sharia board- and submits its reports (quarterly/ annual) to the general manager and a copy of them to the Sharia board. The board must communicate, effectively and periodically, with the Sharia board to obtain its views on the general situation of Sharia compliance within the bank. C. The Sharia Board shall recommend to the board to approve the appointment of a Sharia Compliance Officer and accept his/ her resignation or terminate his/ her services based on the recommendation of the Nomination and Compensation Committee. D. The Sharia board shall ensure supporting the Sharia compliance function with adequate resources and a sufficient number of qualified staff, provided that the employees shall have the following requirements as a minimum:
43 mechanism for reporting and managing the risks, and including these risks under the “Operational Risks” item while referring to them in the internal and regulatory risk reports, for purposes including calculating regulatory capital requirements. 4. Reviewing all new products and services before they are launched, as well as reviewing the policies, procedures, processes and transaction models related to them, to ensure their compatibility with the decisions and Fatwas of the Sharia board and the legislations that govern the work of the Islamic bank and with the provisions and principles of Islamic Sharia. 5. Cooperating with the bank in developing the Sharia skills of the bank's employees. 6. Coordinating with the internal Sharia audit department and the external auditor on matters related to Sharia compliance. 7. Cooperating with the Risk Management Department to periodically conduct comprehensive tests to identify, analyze and assess the risks of Sharia non- compliance regarding the products, services, processes, and policies, and to prepare a comprehensive scope of Sharia non- compliance risks. Article (24): General and Transitional Provisions A. The chairman of the board shall, well ahead of time, invite the Central Bank to attend the General Assembly meetings by nominating a representative. B. The chairman of the board shall provide the Central Bank with the General Assembly meeting minutes within no more than 5 days since the date of attesting the minutes by the companies' controller or its representative. C. The bank shall inform the Central Bank, at least 30 days prior to the General Assembly meeting date, of its desire to nominate the external auditor to be elected (or re- elected) by the General Assembly. D. The bank shall verify that any major shareholder in the bank is not related, including kinship up to the third degree, to the General Manager and the first degree to any other member of the senior executive management. E. The bank shall take into account the representation of women in the membership of the board and in the senior executive management. F. The bank shall obtain a no- objection letter from the Central Bank to nominate any member to the board or any member to the Sharia board prior to the date of the meeting of the general
44 assembly of the bank with a sufficient period of not less than one month, and it shall notify those who wish to be nominated that there must be a no- objection letter of the Central Bank to that. G. The bank shall provide the Central Bank with its general organizational structure when making any amendment to it, with a clarification of that amendment. H. The bank shall provide the Central Bank with information on the board members, its committees, members of its senior executive management, and of its Sharia board according to the attached forms (4/1, 4/2, 4/3, 4/4) once an amendment takes place. I. The bank shall provide the Central Bank with information on the board members, and senior executive managements of its subsidiaries (including the subsidiaries thereof) inside and outside the Kingdom, according to the attached forms (5/1, 5/2, 5/3) once an amendment takes place. J. The bank shall provide the Central Bank with the declarations of the current members of the board (according to Attachment No. (1) and its annex), the declarations of the current members of the Senior Executive Management (according to Attachment No. (2) and its annex), and the declarations of the current Sharia board members (according to Attachment No. (3) and its annex), provided that it must be on the bank’s forms, by 30/6/2023. K. The Central Bank has the right to call upon any person nominated to fill a position in the senior executive management in any bank to conduct a personal interview before appointment. Also the Central Bank has the right to, whenever is deemed necessary, call upon any board member/ nominee in any bank and any member/ nominee of the Sharia board for an interview. L. The Central Bank has the right to appoint an external entity to assess the governance of any bank, on the latter’s expense. M. The Central Bank has the right to call upon audit committee members, internal audit department manager, compliance committee members, compliance department manager, Sharia board members, internal Sharia audit department manager or Sharia Compliance Officer to discuss matters of concern to their scope of work. N. The Central Bank has the right to meet with the external auditor of any bank and, if necessary, coordinate with them regarding viewing the working papers pertaining to the task of auditing that bank. O. These instructions replace the Amended Instructions of Corporate Governance for Banks No. (63/ 2016) Dated 1/9/2016 attached to the Circular No. (10/2/12186) Dated 25/9/2016, and the Amended Instructions of Corporate Governance For Islamic Banks No. (64/ 2016) Dated 25/9/2016. Furthermore, they cancel Instructions of the Audit Committee in the Branches of Foreign Banks Operating in the Kingdom No. (59/2014) Dated 4/11/2014, Instructions of
45 External Auditing of Banks No. (69/2017) Dated 28/2/2017, Circular No. (10/2/13825) Dated 19/11/2014, Circular No. (10/2/1777) Dated 2/2/2016, Circular No. (10/2/12186) Dated 25/9/2016, Circular No. (10/1/578) Dated 11/1/2018, Circular No. (10/3/2503) Dated 15/2/2018, Circular No. (10/2/7068) Dated 20/5/2018, Circular No. (10/2/14350) Dated 5/11/2018, Circular No. (10/2/14358) Dated 5/11/2018 and Circular No. (10/3/1943) Dated 27/1/2021. Meanwhile, the provisions of both; Circular No. (10/2/12606) Dated 19/9/2017 and Circular No. (10/1/929) Dated 14/1/2021 remain in force. Moreover, these instructions cancel the Instructions of Internal Control Systems No. (35/2007) Dated 10/6/2007 (except Article (tenth) related to the banks’ security and safety requirements and paragraph (eleventh /5) related to shareholders’ statements). As for the circulars issued pursuant to these instructions, each of the following two circulars is cancelled: Circular No. (10/2/4676) Dated 8/4/2014 and Circular No. (10/1/7629) Dated 19/6/2014, while the provisions of each of the following Circulars remain in force: Circular No. (10/2/4/12213) Dated 19/11/2012, Circular No. (10/2/4/1281) Dated 31/1/2013, Circular No. (10/2/4/13775) Dated 18/11/2014, Circular No. (10/2/3838) Dated 30/3/2015, Circular No. (10/1/9391) Dated 2/8/2015 and Circular No. (10/1/1546) Dated 25/1/2022. Any paragraphs of instructions/ memorandums/ circulars that conflict with these instructions are also cancelled.
46 Attachments Attachment No. (1) Declaration of a Board member I ………………………………member of the board of directors in ………………… Bank, representing ……………………… hereby declare that there wasn’t/ there isn’t/ I am not:
I do hereby declare that all the above information is true, and in case of any further change thereto I shall provide the bank with further information Name-------------------------------------------------------- Signature ---------------------------- Date------------------------------------------------------------ (with Signature Verification) Licensed bank attestation The bank confirms that the candidate (or the legal entity’s representative) who signed this declaration is fit and proper for the board membership pursuant to the Central Bank’s requirements and the bank’s fit and proper policy. The bank, also, certifies that it carefully read this declaration and its attachments; also it certifies that all information in the declaration and attachments about the candidate is accurate according to its best knowledge. Bank name: The name of the Board Secretary (or his/ her representative) who reviewed the declaration and its attachments: Date: Bank seal and signature
48 Attachment No. (2) Declaration of a senior executive management member I ………………………………the candidate to fill the position of …………… in ………………… Bank hereby declare that there wasn’t/ there isn’t/ I am not:
I do hereby declare that all the above information is true, and in case of any further change thereto I shall provide the bank with further information Name-------------------------------------------------------- Signature ---------------------------- Date------------------------------------------------------------ Licensed bank attestation The bank confirms that the candidate who signed this declaration is fit and proper for the post pursuant to the Central Bank’s requirements and the bank’s fit and proper policy. The bank, also, certifies that it carefully read this declaration and its attachments; also it certifies that all information in the declaration and attachments about the candidate is accurate according to its best knowledge. Bank name: The name of the Human Resources Department Manager (or his/ her representative) who reviewed the declaration and its attachments: Date: Bank seal and signature
50 Attachment No. (3) Declaration of a Sharia board member I ………………………………member of the Sharia Board in ………………… Bank hereby declare that there wasn’t/ there isn’t/ I am not:
51 membership in the Sharia board, or what I charge for any additional work assigned to me and does not affect my fit and proper. 23. Partner with the bank's external auditor, and I have no connection / relationship, including kinship up to the second degree, with the partner in charge or any member of the external audit team. 24. A shareholder in the bank, or a shareholder in any of the bank's subsidiaries, or a shareholder in the group that owns the bank. Additional information, if any, or any other comment on the items stated in the declaration:
I do hereby declare that all the above information is true, and in case of any further change, thereto I shall provide the bank with further information Name-------------------------------------------------------- Signature---------------------------- Date------------------------------------------------------------ (with Signature Verification) Licensed bank attestation The bank confirms that the candidate who signed this declaration is fit and proper for the Sharia board membership pursuant to the Central Bank’s requirements and the bank’s fit and proper policy. The bank, also, certifies that it carefully read this declaration and its attachments; also it certifies that all information in the declaration and its attachments about the candidate is accurate according to its best knowledge. Bank name: The name of the Sharia Board Secretary (or his/ her representative) who reviewed the declaration and its attachments: Date: Bank seal and signature
52 Declaration Annex
53 Company name Type of activities Ownership ratio Place of business 5. Shares owned by the candidate in the bank capital which the candidate is nominated to work therein, whether in his/ her name or any other related party, guardian or agent thereof. Name of shares owner Number of shares Ownership ratio Relationship with candidate Number of mortgaged shares and mortgagee name
54 Attachment No. (4) Form No. (1) Chairman & members of the board of directors/ bank……………………………..... on / / 20 No. Chairman & members of board of directors (full namefour syllable name- incl. first name, 2 middle names and a family name for the natural person & as it is stated in the commercial register for the legal entity) and his/ her nationality) Representative name of legal entity (full name- four syllable nameincl. first name, 2 middle names and a family name) & his/ her nationality National no. of Jordanian member/ passport no. of nonJordanian member No. of member’s shares at bank capital No. of representative’s shares at bank capital Date of birth Member independency Date of joining the board No. and date of the noobjection letter from the Central Bank of Jordan on his/ her nomination Qualifications Work Experience Membership in board committees Membership in board of directors of other companies inside & outside of the kingdom Positions Currently Occupied Outside the bank Notes Bank seal & signature
55 Form No. (2) Legal entities who are members of board of directors/ Bank ………………………… on / / 20 No. Legal entity name Type National no. for the Jordanian member Paid-in capital Business nature & activities Address Chairmen & members of board of directors of the legal entity Notes Bank seal & signature
56 Form No. (3) Senior executive management members/ Bank ………………………………… on / / 20 No. Position Name (full name- four syllable name- incl. first name, 2 middle names and a family name) & his/ her nationality National no. for the Jordanian member/ passport no. for the non- Jordanian member Date of birth Qualifications Work Experience Date of joining the bank Starting date at current position No. & date of noobjection letter from the Central Bank on his/ her appointment No. of member’s shares at bank capital (if any) Membership in board of directors of other companies as bank representative Notes Bank seal & signature
57 Form No. (4) Chair and Members of Sharia Board/ Bank …………………… on / / 20 No. Chair and members of Sharia board (full namefour syllable name- incl. first name, 2 middle names and a family name) & his/ her nationality National no. for the Jordanian member/ passport no. for the non- Jordanian member Date of birth Date of joining the Sharia Board No. and date of the noobjection letter from the Central Bank of Jordan on his/ her nomination Qualifications Work Experience Positions Currently Occupied Outside the bank Notes Bank seal & signature
58 Attachment No. (5) Form No. (1) Chairman & members of board of directors/ Management committee of Subsidiary……….. on / / 20 No. Chairman & members of board of directors (full namefour syllable name- incl. first name, 2 middle names and a family name for the natural person & as it is stated in the commercial register for the legal entity) and his/ her nationality) Representative name of legal entity (full name- four syllable nameincl. first name, 2 middle names and a family name) & his/ her nationality National no. for the Jordanian member/ passport no. for the nonJordanian member No. of member’s shares at subsidiary company capital No. of representative’s shares at subsidiary company capital No. of member’s shares at bank capital No. of representative’s shares at bank capital Date of birth Date of joining the board/ management committee Qualifications Work Experience Membership in committees derived from the board/ management committee Membership in board of directors of other companies inside & outside of the kingdom Positions Currently Occupied Outside the Subsidiary Notes Bank seal & signature
59 Form No. (2) Legal entities Members of board of directors/ Management committee of Subsidiary ……… on / / 20 No. Legal entity name Type National no. for the Jordanian member Paid-in capital Business nature & activities Address Chairmen & members of board of directors of the legal entity Notes Bank seal & signature
60 Form No. (3) Members of Senior Executive Management of subsidiary …………………………… on / / 20 No. Position Name (full name- four syllable name- incl. first name, 2 middle names and a family name) & his/ her nationality National no. for the Jordanian member/ passport no. for the non- Jordanian member Date of birth Qualifications Work Experience Date of joining the subsidiary company Starting date at current position No. of member’s shares at subsidiary company capital (if any) Membership in board of directors of other companies as subsidiary representative Notes Bank seal & signature
61 Attachment No. (6) Declaration of an independent board of directors’ member I,.……………………………… Member/ Candidate for the membership of the Board of Directors of a bank.. ........................................ declare the following:
I do hereby declare that all the above information is true, and in case of any further change thereto I shall provide the bank with further information Name-------------------------------------------------------- Signature---------------------------- Date------------------------------------------------------------ (with Signature Verification) Licensed bank attestation The bank confirms that the candidate who signed this declaration is independent pursuant to the Central Bank’s requirements and the bank’s fit and proper policy. The bank, also, certifies that all information in the declaration is accurate according to its best knowledge. Bank name: The name of the Board Secretary (or his/ her representative) who reviewed the declaration: Date: Bank seal and signature