2018-01-19
Added · Updated
The Bank of Zambia mandates all bureaux de change branches to implement its electronic monitoring system for real-time foreign exchange transaction tracking. Operators must maintain specified hardware and software standards, ensure continuous internet connectivity, and conduct mandatory system searches using customer identification numbers before processing transactions. The circular further requires the issuance of system-generated receipts, outlines procedures for manual transaction backups during outages, and establishes sanctions for non-compliance.
BOZ/EXEC/DGO/nbfis/nm
January 19, 2018
NB Circular No: 01/2018
To : Chief Executive Officers of Bureaux de Change
The purpose of this circular is to communicate conditions and guidelines for the operation of bureau de change branches under the electronic bureaux de change monitoring system. This follows the Bank of Zambia implementation of a project to facilitate electronic monitoring of bureaux de change transactions in Zambia.
This circular shall apply with immediate effect.
In this circular, unless the context otherwise requires -
A bureau de change shall ensure that all its branches comply with the minimum requirements for the electronic bureaux de change monitoring system in the Schedule to this circular or such other system requirements as the Bank of Zambia shall from time to time stipulate.
A bureau de change shall ensure that it makes appropriate business continuity arrangements for the internet connectivity of its operating branches to the electronic bureaux de change monitoring system.
Every bureau de change shall ensure that appropriate information security and access controls are applied on the information processing system to ensure integrity and confidentiality of foreign exchange transaction information processed by the bureau de change.
In the event of a contingency event that disrupts normal processing of foreign exchange transactions at the primary site of the electronic bureaux de change monitoring system, the Bank of Zambia may notify bureaux de change of the transfer of operations to the alternate site of the electronic bureaux de change monitoring system.
Before conducting any foreign exchange transaction with a customer, a bureau de change shall search the electronic bureaux de change monitoring system to determine whether a profile for the customer already exists against which a transaction shall be processed.
For a resident customer, a bureau de change shall search the electronic bureaux de change monitoring system using the customer’s National Registration Card number.
For a non-resident customer, a bureau de change shall search the electronic bureaux de change monitoring system using the customer’s passport number.
If a customer profile does not exist, a bureau de change shall create a customer profile by capturing the full name, residential address and identity document number before conducting any foreign exchange transaction with the customer.
In case of duplicate identification document numbers referring to a different customer, a bureau de change shall create a new profile for the customer bearing a duplicate identity number as provided for in sub-clause 8.4 and shall ensure that it obtains and retains a hardcopy of the identity document bearing the customer’s pictorial image before processing the foreign exchange transaction and subsequently send an e-mail to GTSHelpdesk@boz.zm providing the Bank of Zambia with the details of the customer with a duplicate identification number.
A bureau de change shall verify customer identity details using a customer’s driving licence, passport, or national identification document bearing the customer’s pictorial image before processing any foreign exchange transaction.
Unless otherwise exempted by the Bank of Zambia as provided for under clause 11, a bureau de change shall issue a system generated receipt to its customer for every purchase or sale of foreign exchange.
Every bureau de change shall prominently display at all times in its branches a notice informing its customers that they are entitled to be issued with system generated receipts in either electronic or printed form according to the customers’ preferences.
In an event that a bureau de change loses access to the electronic bureaux de change monitoring system for reasons unique to the bureau de change and has to temporarily resort to using the manual system of capturing transactions and issuing manual receipts, the bureau de change shall immediately inform the Bank of Zambia, through a letter or an e-mail to GTSHelpdesk@boz.zm, of the specific reasons for the switch to the manual system.
A bureau de change shall ensure that it obtains and retains a hardcopy of the identity document bearing the customer’s pictorial image before processing a manual foreign exchange transaction.
A bureau de change shall ensure that any manually captured transactions are subsequently also captured on the electronic bureaux de change monitoring system immediately the incident that caused the switch to manual capture is resolved.
Sub-clauses 11.1 and 11.2 shall not apply in a situation where a bureau de change loses access to the electronic bureaux de change monitoring system due to a system-wide disruption that affects all bureaux de change.
A bureau de change shall not conduct any foreign exchange transaction with a customer whose details do not exist on the electronic bureaux de change monitoring system.
Sub-clause 12.1 shall not apply in the case of manual transactions which shall be dealt with as provided under clause 11.
Any bureau de change seeking to connect its branch that is not already connected to the bureau de change monitoring system on the effective date of this circular shall be subject to a one-off system software licence fee of such sum per branch as the Bank of Zambia shall from time to time determine.
A bureau de change, director, officer or other employee of a bureau de change that breaches any clause of this circular shall be liable to sanctions as provided for in the Bureau de Change Regulations and the Banking and Financial Services Act.
The Bank of Zambia may make amendments to this circular from time to time.
Bwalya K E Ng’andu (Dr)
DEPUTY GOVERNOR – OPERATIONS & REGISTRAR OF BANKS, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS & FINANCIAL BUSINESSES
(Clause 4)
Bank Square, Cairo Road, P.O. Box 30080, Lusaka, Zambia Tel: +260-211- 226844/228888/9 Fax: +260-211-237070 Email: dgo@boz.zm. Web: http://www.boz.zm
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