Financial institutions to come under Basel-II framework by 2010

Last updated: May 17, 2009

Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Bangladesh is expected to implement the Basel-II framework for non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs) by the end of 2010 in keeping with the global standard, officials said.

A seven-member committee, headed by senior Deputy Governor of the Bangladesh Bank (BB), the country’s central bank, Nazrul Huda, has already been formed to implement Basel-II framework for the NBFIs.

The central bank took the move to strengthen financial base of the country's financial institutions and ensure management efficiency in the long run through maintenance of the global standard of practices.

"The committee has started its work by setting up a cell to implement the Basel-II provisions for the NBFIs," a BB senior official told BBN in Dhaka on Sunday, adding that the first meeting of the newly formed committee will be held in the central bank the next month.

He also said the committee will also form a sub- committee to prepare a draft report on the Basel-II considering the country's overall economic performance.

"We may conduct a quantitative impact study (QIS) to assess probable impact on the sector for implementation of the new framework," another BB official said.

Under the Basel-II, the minimum capital requirement and the risk weighted assets for the NBFIs will be fixed considering the overall performance of the sector, the BB officials said.

"The paid up capital of the NBFIs will certainly go up for implementation of the Basel-II," another BB official said, adding that the NBFIs should start taking necessary preparation from now to face the challenges.

On June 2003, the BB raised the minimum ceiling of the paid-up capital of the NBFIs to BDT 250 million from the previous amount of BDT 100 million in order to make the leasing companies operationally sound.

Currently, 29 NBFIs are running their business across the country.

The Basel-II accord came into effect in Bangladesh for the commercial banks from January this year alongside the Basel-I to consolidate capital base of the banks.

The new Basel accord has been prepared on the basis of three pillars: minimum capital requirement, supervisory review process and market discipline.

Three types of risks -- credit risk, market risk and operational risk -- have to be considered under the minimum capital requirement.

BBN/SS/SI/AD-17May09-11:54 pm (BST)

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