Regulatory FAQ
Who does the Central Bank Regulate and Supervise?
The Central Bank of Barbados (Bank) is charged with safeguarding the safety and soundness of the financial system. The Bank is responsible for regulating and supervising commercial banks, merchant banks, trust and finance companies, money or value transmission service providers, payment services providers (PSPs), and credit bureaus licensed in Barbados.
What is the Financial Institutions Act, CAP 324A?
The Financial Institutions Act, CAP 324A is the legislation under which commercial banks, trust and finance companies, merchant banks, money or value transmission service providers, financial holding companies and foreign currency earning banks are licensed and administered in Barbados. This Act establishes the statutory requirements on such areas as licensing, capitalisation, reporting, and restrictions on banking activities.
What is the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 2021
The Fair Credit Reporting Act, 2021 is an Act to provide for a credit reporting system in Barbados that is fair, for the regulation of the use of data collected and for related purposes. Under this Act, the Bank is established as the regulator and supervisor of credit bureaux and is empowered to issue standards and targets regarding the provision of fair credit reporting services; institute proper standards of conduct and acceptable credit reporting practices; protect the integrity of the credit reporting system in Barbados against abuses; and take measures to protect the rights and interests of data subjects.
Where can I find copies of the key legislation and guidelines governing the operations of the Bank’s licensees?
Electronic copies of the key legislation can be found at this link [link to legislation on the CBB website].
How does the Bank supervise the entities?
The Bank Supervision Department uses a dual approach of ongoing off-site monitoring and site visits (onsite examinations) to assess various elements of a licensee’s operations. The off-site process incorporates analyses of monthly and quarterly prudential returns submitted by all entities and the processing of applications as required by law. Onsite assessments are undertaken on such areas as corporate governance, operational risk management, information technology, anti-money laundering and terrorist financing, and regulatory reporting.
Where can you find the list of these approved entities?
Lists of each type of entity regulated and supervised by the Bank can be found on the Bank’s website under the heading Licensed Financial Institutions
How can I license a financial institution or credit bureau in Barbados?
The Minister of Finance’s approval must be sought prior to the establishment of a financial institution in Barbados. An application for a licence must be completed and reviewed by the Bank. On satisfaction of all requirements, a recommendation is forwarded to the Minister of Finance for approval. Licences for credit bureaus are approved by the Bank.
How can I obtain an application for licencing and registration requirements?
Application packages, which provide the application forms and requirements, can be foundat this link [link to the pace on the website].
Does the Bank administer a Deposit Insurance Scheme?
The Barbados Deposit Insurance Corporation (BDIC), established under the Deposit Insurance Act-29 of 2006, came into operation on June 8, 2007. The BDIC is administered by a Board, independent of the Central Bank of Barbados. The Bank is represented on the Board by the Governor and the Director of Bank Supervision.
The deposit insurance initial contribution and premium was set at 0.05% of the insurable deposits held by the member during the calendar year preceding the calendar year for which the premium is payable.
The Corporation manages the Deposit Insurance Fund, which was financed by an initial contribution and annual premiums from all member institutions. At present they are fourteen members of the Fund, six (6) commercial banks and eight (8) deposit taking financial institutions governed by the Financial Institutions Act. The Central Bank of Barbados matched the initial contribution payable by all member institutions.
The BDIC guarantees insurance coverage of up to $25,000 for depositors of commercial banks and other deposit taking financial institutions licensed under the Financial Institutions Act.
The establishment of this Fund was designed to extend the financial sector safety net and contribute to the maintenance of public confidence in deposit taking institutions in the financial sector.
What is the relationship between the Bank and other regulatory institutions in Barbados?
There is a formal grouping of all domestic sector regulators that includes the Bank, The Financial Services Commissioner, , Financial Intelligence Unit and The International Business Unit, The Compliance Unit and Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office. Representatives from these agencies meet to discuss matters of mutual interest relative to the regulation and supervision of the local financial system.
What is the relationship between the Bank and other regional and international regulatory agencies?
Barbados is a member of the Caribbean Group of Banking Supervisors, Group of International Financial Centers Supervisors, the Association of Supervisors of Banks of the Americas, and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force.
The Bank has established memoranda of understanding to allow for information sharing, which is key to effective solo and consolidated supervision of banks that are part of a regional or international financial group.
The Bank is a member of the Anti-Money Laundering Authority.