Bank Supervision

Introduction

The bank supervision function is responsible for regulating and supervising banks and other financial institutions in Malawi.

Vision Statement

To foster financial stability and soundness of the banking system in Malawi through efficient and effective supervision and regulation.

Mission Statement

Bank Supervision Department is in the business of making a positive contribution to the safety and soundness of the banking industry, financial stability and economic development; through professional, honest, efficient, objective and transparent oversight and regulation of the banking system.

Objectives of the Bank Supervision Department

The Department has five core objectives which represent essential elements of the Mission Statement. In many respects, these objectives complement each other:

Ensuring that banks and financial institutions are operating in a safe and sound manner by providing a quality, professional supervisory and regulatory service.
Protecting the interests of depositors and other creditors of the financial system
Maintaining public confidence in the country’s banks and financial institutions by ensuring fairness, efficiency, and orderliness of the banking sector.
Promoting innovative platforms and regulation that supports inclusive finance, to allow for higher access and usage of financial services to a larger population.
Reducing and deterring financial crime in the financial institutions.

Contact Details

Further information or inquiries concerning the preparation, submission and status of an application should be submitted to:

The Director
Bank Supervision Department
Reserve Bank of Malawi
P. O. Box 565
Blantyre
Malawi
Tel. No.: (265) 1 820 299
Fax No.: (265) 1 821 311
Email: BASU@rbm.mw

Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information herein contains accurate and reliable information prevailing at the time of publication. However, where the contents are at variance or in conflict with the Banking Act or related Guidelines and Directives issued by the Reserve Bank of Malawi, the latter shall take precedence over the former.

Licensing Requirements and Guidelines for Banks

The purpose of a vigilant licensing process is to protect the interests of depositors and the public and help minimise future bank failures by ensuring that only fit and proper players are allowed to conduct banking business in the country. Bank licensing policy helps ensure that only shareholders of appropriate standing and repute with adequate financial capacity are licensed to conduct banking business. Subject to this requirement, impediments to the entry of new players are kept to a minimum with the view to levelling the playing field and open up the system to fair competition and product innovation

Document Title	Date Uploaded
Supervisory Levy for Banks Regulations 2018	Nov 19, 2018
Agent Banking Regulations	Aug 04, 2014
CRB Regulations	Oct 27, 2011
Guidelines For Mergers And Acquisitions Of Banks	Mar 16, 2011
Credit Reference Bureau Applications Forms	Mar 16, 2011
Banking Application Forms	Dec 15, 2010
Guidelines On Application For A Banking Licence	Dec 15, 2010

Directives for Banks

These are designed with the view to guiding market players on proper functioning of the banks by following international best practices. Building on the relevant Acts, the directives and guidelines afford regulatory flexibility to address emerging issues that would not otherwise wait upon the review of the acts and so add value to the financial system

NOTE:Some documents on this page are in PDF Format. To view these you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader which you can download for free

Document Title	Date Uploaded
Agent Banking Regulations 2018	Jan 24, 2019
Annual Audit Directive 2018	Jan 24, 2019
Asset Classification Directive 2018	Jan 24, 2019
Capital Adequacy Directive 2018	Jan 24, 2019
Consolidated Supervision Directive	Jan 24, 2019
Credit Reference Bureau Regulation	Jan 24, 2019
Disclosure of Credit Products Directive 2018	Jan 24, 2019
Fit and Proper Directive 2018	Jan 24, 2019
Foreign Currency Lending Directive 2018	Jan 24, 2019
Information Management Directive 2018	Jan 24, 2019
Large Exposure Directive	Jan 24, 2019
Licensing Directive 2018	Jan 24, 2019
Prompt Corrective Action Directive	Jan 24, 2019
Premises Inspection Directive 2018	Jan 24, 2019
Prudential Liquidity Directive 2018	Jan 24, 2019
Related Party Directive 2018	Jan 24, 2019
Risk and Governance Directive)	Jan 24, 2019
Submission of Information Directive	Jan 24, 2019
Supervisory Levy Regulations 2018	Jan 24, 2019
Consolidated Supervision for Banks Directive 2018	Jul 13, 2018
Disclosure of Information by Banks Directive 2018	Jul 13, 2018
Risk and Governance for Banks Directive 2018	Jul 11, 2018
Licensing of Banks Directive 2018	Jun 14, 2018
Asset Classification for Banks Directive 2018	May 11, 2018
Annual Audit of Banks Directive	Apr 27, 2018
Capital Adequacy for Banks Directive 2018	Apr 27, 2018
Transactions of Banks with Related Parties Directive 2018	Apr 27, 2018
Premises Inspection Directive 2018	Apr 27, 2018
Disclosure Requirements for Credit Products Directive 2018	Apr 27, 2018
Fit and Proper Requirements Directive 2018	Apr 27, 2018
Foreign Currency Lending Ratio Directive 2018	Apr 27, 2018
Information Management for Banks Directive 2018	Apr 27, 2018
Prompt Corrective Action for Banks Directive 2018	Apr 27, 2018
Prudential Liquidity Requirements for Banks Directive 2018	Apr 27, 2018
Submission of Information by Banks Directive 2018	Apr 27, 2018
Licensing and Regulatory Requirements for Holding Companies Directive	Apr 19, 2018

Guidelines for Banks

NOTE:Some documents on this page are in PDF Format. To view these you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader which you can download for free

Document Title	Date Uploaded
Guidelines on Information and Cybersecurity Risk Management for Banks	Feb 06, 2020
AML CFT Guidelines for Financial Institutions in Malawi	Oct 12, 2018
ICAAP Guidelines	May 09, 2013
Operational Risk Guidelines	May 09, 2013
Market Disclosure Guidelines	May 09, 2013
ICAAP Internal Supervisory Guidelines	May 09, 2013
Guidelines - Stress Testing	May 09, 2013
Credit Risk Guidelines	May 09, 2013
Risk Management Guidelines For Malawi	Dec 15, 2010
Guide To Risk Management Framework - 2008	Dec 15, 2010

List of Banks & Other Financial Institutions

Information on Banks and other financial institutions (deposit taking and non deposit taking) supervised by Reserve Bank of Malawi

Banks

Credit Reference Bureaux

Credit Data CRB Limited
TranUnion Limited

Supervisory Authorities

1. MINISTRY OF FINANCE
Capital Hill P.O. BOX 30049 Lilongwe 3 Telephone:+265 1 782 199 Telex: 44407 Telefax: +265 781 679 E Mail: finance@malawi.net
2. RESERVE BANK OF MALAWI-HEAD OFFICE
Convention Drive P.O. BOX 30063 Lilongwe 3 Telephone:+265 1 770 600 Telex: +265 1 744 788 Telefax: +265 1 784 752 E mail: reserve-bank@rbm.mw
3. RESERVE BANK OF MALAWI-BLANTYRE BRANCH
10 Hannover Street P.O. BOX 565 Blantyre Telephone: +265 1 820 299/444 Telefax: +265 1 822 118 E mail: BASU@rbm.mw

Annual Reports

NOTE:Some documents on this page are in PDF Format. To view these you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader which you can download for free

Document Title	Date Uploaded
Financial Institutions Supervision Annual Report 2019	May 12, 2020
Financial Institutions Supervision Annual Report 2018	Sep 06, 2019
Financial Institutions Supervision Annual Report 2017	Jul 09, 2018
Financial Institutions Supervision Annual Report 2016	Oct 02, 2017
Financial Institutions Supervision Annual Report 2015	Nov 11, 2016
Financial Institutions Supervision Annual Report 2014	Sep 09, 2015
FINANCIAL SECTOR SUPERVISION ANNUAL REPORT 2013	Oct 28, 2014
Bank Supervision Annual Report 2012	Oct 31, 2013
BANK SUPERVISION ANNUAL REPORT 2011	Nov 28, 2012
Bank Supervision Annual Report 2010	Dec 27, 2011
Bank Supervision Annual Report 2009	Jan 01, 2010
Bank Supervision Annual Report 2008	Jan 01, 2009
Bank Supervision Annual Report 2007	Jan 15, 2008
Bank Supervision Annual Report 2006	Jan 19, 2007
Bank Supervision Annual Report 2005	Jan 09, 2006

Reserve Bank of Malawi

Reserve Bank of Malawi