2022-04-10
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The Central Bank of Jordan issued Instructions of Corporate Governance for Microfinance Companies No. 10/2020, applicable to all microfinance companies operating in the Kingdom and their foreign branches. The regulations mandate a Board of Directors with at least five members, including a minimum of two independent members or 20% of the Board, whichever is higher. The document establishes specific composition rules, duties, and meeting frequency requirements for the Board, Sharia Supervisory Board, and specialized committees such as the Audit, Risk Management, and Nomination and Compensation committees. These instructions become enforceable one year after their issuance on December 6, 2020.
No.: 28/ 2/ 15557 Date: 21/ 4/ 1442 Hijri Corresponding to: 6/ 12/ 2020 Instructions of Corporate Governance for microfinance companies No. (10/ 2020) Issued pursuant to the provisions of Articles (4 / B/ 4) and (65/ B) of the Central Bank of Jordan Law No. (23) of 1971 and its amendments and to the provisions of Article (26) of the Microfinance Companies Bylaw No. (5) of 2015 Article (1): Scope of application a. These instructions shall be called "Instructions of Corporate Governance for Microfinance Companies", and they shall be applied to all microfinance companies operating in the Kingdom, and shall be enforced one year after the date of their issuance. b. The foreign microfinance companies branches operating in the Kingdom 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 microfinance companies) or regulatory authority in the home country, whichever is more stringent in terms of meeting the goals of corporate governance and fit and proper criteria. in case the latter be the more stringent, the branch must provide the CBJ with supporting documents to prove same, provided that there is no conflict with the regulations. In case of any conflict, the branch shall inform the CBJ and the mother company of such matter, and present the necessary clarification of such conflict, and then obtain the Central Bank’s approval on handling such conflict.
2 Article (2): Definitions The words and expressions mentioned in these instructions shall have the meanings indicated below, unless the context indicates otherwise: The Central Bank : The Central Bank of Jordan. The Company : Microfinance Company. The Board : The Board of Directors of the company or its Management Committee The member : A member of the company’s Board of Directors or a member of its Management Committee, whether serving on his own behalf or as a representative of a legal entity. Senior Executive Management : Includes the general manager of the company or regional manager, deputy general manager or deputy regional manager, assistant general manager or assistant regional manager, Chief Financial Officer “CFO”, Chief Operational Officer “COO”, Chief Risk Officer “CRO”, Internal audit manager, Chief Compliance manager “CCO” and any other employee in the company who has an executive power parallel to the aforementioned powers and is directly reporting to the general manager. This includes persons who occupy these positions temporarily on the basis of assignment or delegation if this is for a period of more than a month. Sharia Board : The Sharia Supervisory Board. Stakeholders : Any party of interest in the company such as shareholders/ partners, employees, creditors, clients, or relevant regulatory authorities. Corporate Governance : The system by which the company is directed and managed, and which aims to define and achieve the corporate goals of the company, to manage the company's operations in a safe manner, to adhere to the due responsibility towards shareholders, partners and other stakeholders, and to adhere to the legislations and internal company policies. The Independent Member : The member who is not subject to any influences limiting his/ her ability to make objective decisions for the benefit of the company and who fulfills the conditions set forth in Article (4 / B) of these instructions. The Executive Member : The member who participates against rewards in the company’s day to day management. Administrator : The member or general manager of the company or any employee therein. Fit and Proper : The members of the Board, the Senior Executive Management and the Sharia Board shall enjoy credibility, integrity, minimum competence, academic qualifications and practical experience in accordance with the standards contained in these instructions. Control : The direct or indirect capacity to influence effectively the actions and decisions of another person. Effective interest : Control of at least 10 % of the capital of a legal entity. Related Parties : A person is considered related to the company if either (the person or the company) has a direct or indirect effective interest in the other (a subsidiary of the company is considered among related parties), or if the person is an administrator in the company or has a common business interest with an administrator in the company or if the person is a spouse of an administrator in the company or a relative to this administrator or his/ her spouse up to the third degree relative or has a common business interest with any of them.
3 Article (3): Corporate Governance Code a. The company shall prepare its corporate governance code in a way that is consistent with its needs and policies, and that the code includes, at a minimum, the requirements and conditions set forth in these instructions. b. The company must approve the corporate governance code by the Board and send a copy of it to the Central Bank prior to the effective date of these instructions. c. The company shall publish its corporate governance code on its website to inform the public, the company's customers and all stakeholders, and to disclose in the annual report the existence of the code and the extent of its commitment of implementing what is stated in it. Article (4): The Board Composition a. The Board should consist of no less than five members. b. The number of independent members must not be less than two members or (20%) of the Board, whichever is higher. In the event that there is a fraction in the result of the calculation of the aforementioned percentage, the result is rounded to the next integer. In order for a member to be considered independent, the following are required as a minimum:
4 c. The chairman of the Board must not be a member of the senior executive management. d. The chairman of the Board or any of its members must not be unilaterally delegated to part or all of the Board’s powers. e. The Central Bank may consider any member as non- independent according to its discretion despite the applicability of all the conditions for independence mentioned in Clause (b) of this Article. Article (5): The duties and responsibilities of the Board and its meetings a. The Board shall perform the following duties and responsibilities as a minimum:
5 8. Taking the necessary procedures to ensure that the company complies in all its activities with all relevant legislations and with all the requirements of the Central Bank and the competent authorities. 9. approving a clear, transparent and objective policy that sets out and defines the mechanism and method for selecting and appointing members of the senior executive management, including determining their remuneration, whether in the form of fees, salaries, allowances, bonuses, or any other benefits, and approving the succession plan for the senior executive management, and reviewing this plan at least once a year. 10. Approving the organizational structure of the company showing administrative hierarchy, including the committees emanating from the Board, and approving job descriptions for senior executive management positions. 11. approving a general policy and clear procedures to identify cases of conflict of interests and the necessary measures to avoid their occurrence, and to disclose in writing of any situation that may include a conflict of interests, including reviewing transactions with related parties and assessing their risks. 12. Determining the company's need to contract with experts and consultants based on the recommendation of the senior executive management, and determining their fees and the terms of contracting with them. 13. Approving a code of conduct for Board members and company employees at all levels and job titles, so that this code includes clear principles, policies and controls for work behavior and professional ethics, taking into account - in the case of companies that practice Microfinance in accordance with the provisions of Islamic Sharia – that this code is in line with the ethics standards issued by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions. It is the responsibility of the company to take all necessary to verify that all administrators in the company are aware of it. 14. Setting performance evaluation criteria for the senior executive management in accordance with the company's goals and its strategic plan. 15. Holding regular meetings with the senior executive management and discussing the reports submitted by them.
6 16. Taking adequate steps to ensure the accuracy of the information sent to the Central Bank. 17. Appointing the Sharia Board for a period of four years, renewable upon the recommendation of the Nomination and Compensation Committee. b. The Board meets periodically and whenever the need arises, provided that the number of these meetings is not less than six meetings during the year and that no more than two months pass without a meeting. c. The Board members shall attend personally the Board meetings. If not possible, the member may show his/ her opinion through video, phone, or any means of communication after getting the chairman’s approval, and he/ she may also vote on Board’s decisions provided that:
7 h. Providing each member with sufficient summary on the company's operations on the date of appointment or upon request. Article (7): The Board secretary The Board shall appoint a secretary for the Board to carry out the following duties and responsibilities as a minimum: a. Scheduling the Board meetings dates and preparing for them. b. Preparing all the papers and documents necessary for the Board meetings, and providing each member with copies in a sufficient time before the meeting date. c. Attending all Board meetings, writing down all discussions, suggestions, objections, reservations and decisions taken by the Board. d. Preparing the minutes of the Board's meetings and decisions and ensuring that all Board members sign them. e. Following up the execution of the Board's decisions, and following up the discussion of any topics adjourned from a previous meeting. f. Filing the records and documents of the Board meetings. g. Providing the Central Bank with fit and proper acknowledgements signed by the Board. Article (8): Sharia Supervisory Board a. The company must appoint a Sharia Supervisory Board, provided that the number of its members is not less than three persons with experience and competence, and its opinion shall be binding on the company. b. A letter of engagement must be signed between the company and Sharia Board in which the scope of its work, duties, tasks and financial rewards is specified. c. The Sharia Board shall undertake the following duties:
8 7. Studying the notes contained in the internal Sharia audit reports. 8. Considering any matters assigned to it in accordance with the orders of the Central Bank issued for this purpose, and giving an opinion thereon. 9. Ensuring compliance with the Code of Conduct issued by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions. 10. Approving the appointment of a resident Sharia observer of the company who has the necessary experience and knowledge, and supervising his/ her work and evaluating his/ her performance, so that he/ she is the Secretary of the Sharia Board and that he/ she undertakes the following duties as a minimum: a. Examining and evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of the company's Sharia supervisory system. b. Following up the commitment of the company's management to the Sharia aspects, fatwas, and decisions issued by the Sharia Board. c. Setting the annual internal Sharia audit plan and committing to implement its provisions. d. Attending all the Sharia Board meetings and writing down all discussions, suggestions, objections, reservations, and voting methods on the Sharia Board decisions drafts, and filing the records and documents of the Sharia Board meetings. e. Answering the daily questions and inquiries directed to him by the company’s employees related to the Sharia aspects of the company's activities. f. ensuring that the Sharia Board members sign on the meetings minutes and decisions, following up the implementation of the fatwa and decisions taken by the Sharia Board, and providing the compliance oversight manager with a copy of these documents for his information and to work according to it. Article (9): Board Committees a. The Board shall form specialized committees from among its members in the fields that require specific expertise, and the Board shall define their powers and monitor their performance. b. Each committee must have a work charter approved by the Board that defines its composition, objectives, duties and mechanism of work.
9 c. The committee works under the supervision of the Board and submits its reports and recommendations on the results of the exercise of its duties to the Board. d. The Board shall form the following committees as a minimum:
10 9. Reviewing the notes contained in the reports of the Central Bank and the reports of the external chartered accountant, and following up the measures taken in their regard. 10.Recommending to the Board for appointment of the external chartered accountant, terminating his work and his fees and all matters related to that, so that the external chartered accountant has the qualifications and experiences that enable him to perform his duty duly, and to be of good conduct and reputation. 11.Reviewing the company's financial statements before presenting them to the Board, and in particular verifying the implementation of the Central Bank's orders regarding the provision for expected credit losses or any other provisions in accordance with the instructions in force. 12.Reviewing and controlling the whistle blowing procedures which enable the employee to speak up in a confidential way about any errors in the financial reports and any other irregularities, and ensuring the availability of arrangements and procedures necessary for independent investigation and ensuring following up investigation outcomes and corrective actions in an objective and independent manner. 13.Adopting an internal audit charter, so that the charter strengthens the internal audit function, defines its powers and its relationship with other jobs, and provides management support for internal audit in accessing all aspects of the company's business. b. The work of this committee should not be merged with any other committee. c. It is not permissible for any member of the audit committee to be a member of any committees emanating from the Board with executive powers. d. A foreign company’s branch shall form (by a decision of the parent company's Board of directors) an audit committee consisting of a chairperson and two members of the supervisory departments’ managers (Internal audit, risk management, and compliance oversight), and to be chaired by the Internal Audit Department manager in the branch, according to the following:
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13 3. The member’s personal attendance rate is not less than (50%) of the committee’s meetings during the year. g. It is prohibited to any member of the Board to be the chair of more than one of the committees mentioned in these instructions, and to be a chair of more than two committees of all committees emanating from the Board. Article (10): General Manager of the company The general manager shall perform the following duties and responsibilities as a minimum: a. Supervising the preparation of the company’s policies and submitting them to the Board for approval, and ensuring that the company carries out its operations and activities in accordance with the strategies and policies approved by the Board. b. Developing the strategic orientation of the company. c. Managing the day to day operations of the company. d. Implementing the Board's decisions. e. Providing the Board with financial, administrative and other reports that reflect the company's performance. f. Ensuring that there is an effective internal control for the company and ensuring compliance with all relevant legislations. g. Providing the Central Bank, all other supervisory authorities, the internal auditor, the external chartered accountant of the company and any other legally authorized entity with all documents and information accurately and in a timely manner. Article (11): Fit and Proper a. Members of the Board, senior executive management, and Sharia Board must exhibit exemplary qualities of honesty, integrity, competency, necessary experience and the ability to commit and devote time for the company’s activities. The Board and the nomination and compensation committee are responsible to verify such matters. b. The approval of the Board must be obtained when appointing, accepting the resignation, or terminating the services of any of the members of the senior executive management and Sharia Board in the company.
14 c. The prior non- objection of the Central Bank must be obtained upon nominating any of the Board members, the Sharia Board, the general manager of the company or the regional director, Internal audit manager, and the compliance oversight manager. d. The chairman of the Board shall make sure that the Central Bank is notified of any material information that may impact negatively the fitness and properness of any of its members. e. The Board shall inform the Central Bank of any significant information that may negatively affect the fitness and properness of any of the members of the senior executive management and the Sharia Board. Article (12): Fit and Proper Criteria of Board Members a. The Board shall adopt an effective policy to ensure the fitness and properness of its members. Such policy shall include the minimum standards, requirements and conditions that are to be fulfilled by the appointed member. This policy shall be subject to periodical review whenever needed. The Board shall also set out adequate procedures and systems to ensure that all members meet these criteria and continue to do such. b. whoever holds the position of the chairman and membership of the Board must meet the following requirements:
15 knowledge of financing activities that are in compliance with Islamic Sharia provisions. e. It is not permissible to elect a chairman or members of the Board in non- profit companies for more than two consecutive terms. f. The chairman or Board member shall sign the declaration contained in Appendix No. (1) of these instructions which is to be filed in the company, and copied to the Central Bank with the member’s CV attached. g. In addition to what is stated in Clause (F) of this Article, all independent members must sign the declaration contained in Appendix No. (2) of these instructions, which is to be filed in the company, and copied to the Central Bank. Article (13): Fit and Proper Criteria of Senior Executive Management a. The Board shall appoint a general manager who has integrity and has technical competency and financial expertise. b. whoever is appointed in senior executive management of the company must meet the following requirement :
16 d. Subject to the provisions of Article (11/ c), the Central Bank may object to the appointment of any person in the senior executive management if it is found that he/ she does not fulfill any of the conditions mentioned in Clause (B) of this Article. Article (14): Fit and Proper Criteria of Sharia Board Members a. The Board shall adopt an effective policy to ensure the fitness and properness of the Sharia Board members. Such policy shall include the minimum standards, requirements, and conditions to be fulfilled by the member. This policy shall be subject to periodical review whenever needed. The Board shall also set out enough procedures and systems to ensure that all members meet fit and proper criteria and continue to do such. b. whoever holds the position of the chairman or membership of the Sharia Board must meet the following requirements:
17 in a manner that ensures the delivery of all information, especially those that may have an impact on the decisions of the supervisory authorities, shareholders/ partners and stakeholders. c. The annual report of the company must include, as a minimum, the following:
18 12. Details of any penalties imposed on the company by any legal authority or regulatory authority and about any risks that may have a material impact on the company. 13. A text stating that the Board is responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of the company's financial statements and the information contained in that report. Article (17): General Provisions a. The company shall provide the Central Bank, as a minimum, with the following:
19 Appendix No. (1) Declaration and Acknowledgment of the candidate for a membership in the Board of Directors/ Management Committee I …………………………, a candidate for membership in the Board of Directors/ Management Committee in ………………… company, in my personal capacity or as a representative of ………………………, hereby declare that there wasn’t/ there isn’t:
I do hereby declare and acknowledge that all the above information is true, and in case of any further change thereto, I shall provide the company with further information. Name ---------------------------- Signature ---------------------------- Date ---------------------------- The company attestation The company confirms that the candidate who signed this declaration is fit and proper for the Board/ Management Committee membership pursuant to the Central Bank requirements. The company, also, certifies that it read this declaration and its enclosures carefully, and that all information in the declaration and enclosures about the candidate are accurate according to its best knowledge. Company name: Person in charge (who reviewed the declaration and the enclosures): Title: Signature: Date: Company seal
21 Enclosure to the Declaration of the candidate for a membership in the Board of Directors/ Management Committee
22 Appendix No. (2) Declaration and Acknowledgment of the independent candidate membership for the Board of Directors/ Management Committee I …………………………, a candidate for membership for the Board of Directors/ Management Committee in ………………… company, in my personal capacity or as a representative of ………………………, hereby declare that:
23 I do hereby declare and acknowledge that all the above information is true, and in case of any further change thereto, I shall provide the company with further information. Name ---------------------------------- Signature------------------------------- Date------------------------------------- The company attestation The company confirms that the candidate who signed this declaration is fit and proper for the Board/ Management Committee independent membership pursuant to the Central Bank requirements. The company, also, certifies that it read this declaration carefully, and that all information in the declaration about the candidate are accurate according to its best knowledge. Company name: Person in charge (who reviewed the declaration and the enclosures): Title: Signature: Date: Company seal
24 Appendix No. (3) Declaration and Acknowledgment of the candidate for membership/ member of the senior executive management I …………………………, a candidate for membership/ member of the senior executive management and hold the position of …… in ………………… company, hereby declare that there wasn’t/ there isn’t:
I do hereby declare and acknowledge that all the above information is true, and in case of any further change thereto, I shall provide the company with further information. Name ----------------------------------- Signature------------------------------- Date------------------------------------- The company attestation The company confirms that the candidate/ member who signed this declaration is fit and proper to occupy the position pursuant to the Central Bank requirements. The company, also, certifies that it read this declaration and its enclosures carefully, and that all information in the declaration and enclosures about the candidate are accurate according to its best knowledge. Company name: Person in charge (who reviewed the declaration and the enclosures): Title: Signature: Date: Company seal
26 Enclosure to the Declaration of the candidate for membership/ member of the senior executive management
27 Appendix No. (4) Declaration and Acknowledgment of the candidate for membership of sharia supervisory Board I …………………………, a candidate for membership of Sharia Supervisory Board in ………………… company, hereby declare that there wasn’t/ there isn’t:
I do hereby declare and acknowledge that all the above information is true, and in case of any further change thereto, I shall provide the company with further information. Name --------------------------------- Signature---------------------------- Date------------------------------------- The company attestation The company confirms that the candidate who signed this declaration is fit and proper for the Sharia Supervisory Board membership pursuant to the Central Bank requirements and the company’s policy for that. The company, also, certifies that it read this declaration and its enclosures carefully, and that all information in the declaration and enclosures about the candidate are accurate according to its best knowledge. Company name: Person in charge (who reviewed the declaration and the enclosures): Title: Signature: Date: Company seal
29 Enclosure to the Declaration of the candidate of Sharia Supervisory Board
Appendix No. (5/ A) Chairman and members of the Board of Directors/ Management Committee of .....................................company, in their personal capacity or as a representative of the legal person on / /20 Notes Current Positions Outside the 1 company Membership in other companies' board/management committee inside and outside the Kingdom1 Membership in committees derived from Board Work Experience 1 Academic Qualifications Member's Independency (Independent, not independent) The date of joining the Board for the natural member or the representative of the legal member Date of birth shares held By the representative of the company's capital (if any) shares held of the company's capital (if any) National no. of Jordanian member/ passport no. and personal identification number of nonJordanian member Nationality of the natural member / representative of the legal person Name of Representative of legal person (four syllables) Membership status (natural/legal entity) The name of the member consisting of four syllables for a natural person and according to the registration certificate for a legal person No. Company signature & seal
1 To be mentioned in detail.
31 Appendix No. (5/ B) Legal entity who are members of the Board of Directors/ Management Committee of .....................................company on / /20 No. Name of the legal entity (According to the registration certificate) The nationality of the legal entity Legal form The national number of the entity for the Jordanian legal entity paid-up capital Date of joining the Board The nature of its activity and its purposes The address Names of the chairman and members of the Board of directors of the legal entity Notes Company signature & seal Appendix No. (5/ C) Members of Senior Executive Management of .....................................company on / /20 No. Position name (four syllables) 2 Nationality of the member National no. of Jordanian member/ passport no. and personal identification number of nonJordanian member Date of birth Academic qualifications Work Experience 3 Date of joining the company Commencement date of work in the current position shares held of the company's capital (if any) Membership in Board of directors of other companies as representative of the 3 company Notes Company signature & seal
2 A representative of the Compliance oversight is indicated. 3 To be mentioned in detail.
32 Appendix No. (5/ D) Chairman and Members of Sharia Supervisory Board of .....................................company on / /20 No. member of Sharia Supervisory Board (four syllables name) Membership status (chairman/member) The nationality of the member National no. of Jordanian member/ passport no. and personal identification number of nonJordanian member Date of birth Academic qualifications Work Experience4 Date of joining the Sharia Board shares held of the company's capital (if any) Current Positions Outside the company Notes Company signature & seal
4 To be mentioned in detail.
Appendix no. (6) Data related to the shareholders/ partners of the company Name of the shareholder/ partner Nationality The nature of the shareholder/ partner activity Amount of ownership (the amount) ownership percentage % The real beneficiary of the ownership Total