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Tag: State Bank of Pakistan

  • SBP facilitates overseas Pakistanis in biometric verification

    SBP facilitates overseas Pakistanis in biometric verification

    KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has facilitated overseas Pakistanis in their biometric verification for operating bank accounts.

    In a statement on Thursday, the SBP said that realizing difficulties being faced by overseas Pakistan in operating their bank accounts due to non-biometric verification of their accounts, State Bank of Pakistan has issued detailed instructions on the alternate arrangement to facilitate their biometric verification.

    It may be mentioned here that as per alternate arrangement, overseas Pakistanis may approach their respective banks through email/surface mail and provide identity documents like valid Passport, Visa, CNIC and NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis) as an alternative arrangement for biometric verification for operating their bank accounts as usual.

    The arrangement has been made in line with State Bank’s continuous monitoring of the progress of the banking industry with respect to biometric verification; and it has been reiterated to banks for extending their fullest cooperation to their overseas customers.

  • SBP gives deadline to banks for IFRS-9 implementation

    SBP gives deadline to banks for IFRS-9 implementation

    KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday directed banks to implement International Financial Reporting Standard on Financial Instruments i.e. IFRS 9 from January 01, 2021.

    The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued International Financial Reporting Standard on Financial Instruments i.e. IFRS 9 effective from January 1, 2018.

    IFRS 9 has introduced an expected credit loss approach, which bring major changes in the way the financial institutions (FIs) will assess the impairments of financial instruments.

    The banking industry has been representing to the State Bank of Pakistan(SBP) about the difficulties being faced in the implementation of this Standard and has been requesting to defer its implementation till December 31, 2020.

    Keeping in view of the importance of the Standard, the SBP advised the banking industry to carry out a quantitative impact assessment of IFRS 9 on their financials along with the assessment of their readiness of its implementation.

    In view of the impact assessment and stakeholders’ representation, it has been decided that the effective date of IFRS 9 implementation is January 1, 2021 for banks/DFIs/MFBs.

    Meanwhile, they are advised to ensure meticulous compliance of the following instructions:

    (a) Prepare separate pro forma Statement of Financial Position, Profit and Loss Account, Statement of Comprehensive Income and Statement of Changes in Equity based on the requirements of IFRS 9 along with the detailed notes on Advances, Investments, Provisions, Write offs and any other notes which may have material impact. The FIs are required to prepare aforesaid financials for the year-end 2019 and submit the same to BPRD-SBP within the time mentioned in the below table. These financial statements should also comply with the requirements stated in the Annexure-I of the Circular.

    (b) Perform parallel run of IFRS 9 implementation starting from Jan 1, 2020 to test the IFRS 9 outcomes. The FIs shall submit quarterly reports on the status of IFRS 9 implementation to the SBP, after review by the Board Committee responsible for oversight of the IFRS 9 implementation. Such reports should be submitted to the SBP within 14 working days of the Board of Directors (BOD) meeting at which the financial statements are approved.

    (c) Review internal systems and procedures and put in place required governance structures, processes and systems for implementation of the Standard before the effective date of IFRS 9 implementation.

    (d) The BOD of FIs are required to play an active role in the oversight of the implementation process of IFRS 9 either by establishing a separate subcommittee for this purpose or assigning the same to an existing subcommittee. The BOD are required to discuss the progress of IFRS 9 implementation in their periodic meetings. The specific responsibilities of the BOD for the implementation of IFRS 9 are mentioned in Annexure-II of the Circular.

    (e) Form a management level IFRS 9 Project Steering Committee, which will be responsible for managing the implementation process of IFRS 9, as mentioned in Annexure-II of the Circular. The Project Steering Committee should at least include the members from the Risk Management, Finance and IT departments.

    (f) The process of implementing IFRS 9 is required to be completed within the following time period:

    Sr#ParticularsTimeline
    1.Forming of a Board Committee and a Project Steering CommitteeJan 31, 2020
    2.Preparation of IFRS 9 compatible pro forma Financial Statements for year-ended 2019Apr 30, 2020
    3.Parallel Run of IFRS 9Periods beginning Jan 1, 2020
    4.Directors Review Reports for Parallel Run PeriodsWithin 14 working days from BOD meeting
    5.Effective Date of IFRS 9 implementationJan 1, 2021

    All banks/DFIs/MFBs are advised to ensure that the transition to IFRS 9 will be achieved in a planned manner and within the timeline stipulated above. Any violation of these instructions may attract punitive actions under the relevant provisions of the Banking Companies Ordinance 1962.

  • Asset quality of banking sector weakens on rising NPLs: SBP

    Asset quality of banking sector weakens on rising NPLs: SBP

    KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday said that the asset quality of banking sector weakened owing to Rs88.3 billion or 13 percent increase in Non-Performing Loans (NPLs).

    In its Mid-Year Performance Review of the Banking Sector (January – June 2019), the SBP said that the asset quality of the banking sector weakened during first half (January – June) 2019 H1CY19, breaking away from the declining trend in recent past.

    “The infection ratio (NPLs to Total Gross Loans) increased to 8.8 percent by the end of H1CY19 (8.0 percent by end H2CY18).”

    This was mainly due to an increase of Rs88.3 billion (or 13.0 percent) in NPLs during H1CY19.

    As a result, the NPLs stood at Rs768 billion by end June 2019. The fresh rise in domestic NPLs was mostly concentrated in few local private banks as well as in a specialized bank, the SBP said.

    Consequently, the infection ratio for local private banks and specialized banks increased to 7.0 percent (6.2 percent by end of H2CY18) and 43.2 percent (32.9 percent by end of H2CY18).

    With the tightening of macroeconomic conditions in CY18 and later, inflow of fresh NPLs have been on the rise.

    However, in terms of economic sectors, the higher defaults during H1CY19 were restricted to the energy and agribusiness sectors.

    Energy sector contributed 52.8 percent to the total increase in NPLs during H1CY19, while agribusiness contributed 18.6 percent. Most of the NPLs in the energy sector (96.8 percent) pertained to the public sector entities associated with electricity generation and transmission that faced constrained cash flows (due to circular debt/low recoveries).

    In case of Agribusiness, however, an element of seasonality exists in the classified loans as they peak around second quarter of each calendar year but then recede in subsequent quarters.

    Besides this seasonal phenomenon, other factors responsible for the rise in NPLs included late start of sugar crushing season, water shortage and drought conditions affecting crop yields, and delay in sale of the newly harvested kharif crops by farmers hindering their repayment capacity (Rice, Cotton and others) etc.

    Furthermore, 20.8 percent contribution to the growth in NPLs came from banks’ overseas operations, largely related to operations in the Middle East.

    In addition to Pak Rupee depreciation, the economic slowdown in some of these countries could be the reason for the higher NPLs.

    The surge in NPLs was mainly driven by the NPLs of public entities in the energy sector, which do not require provisions.

    Resultantly, the provision coverage ratio (78.4 percent in H1CY19 against 83.8 percent in H2CY18) declined.

    As a result, the net NPLs increased and net NPLs to capital ratio jumped to 11.5 percent as of end H1CY19 against 7.8 percent as of end H2CY18.

    However, it may be kept in perspective that in the aftermath of growing NPLs banks made net provisions to the tune of Rs26.40 billion during H1CY19 compared to Rs36.2 billion during CY18.

    The fund-based liquidity of the banking sector remained comfortable, despite continued moderation in liquidity ratios.

    Liquid assets to total assets ratio moderated to 48.0 percent by end June 2019 (48.7 percent by Dec- 18).

    Similarly, liquid assets to total deposits (excluding customer fixed deposits) also moderated to 81.8 percent in H1CY19 (85.0 percent in Dec-18) mainly due to higher proportionate rise in deposits.

    However, due to improved growth in fixed deposits, liquid assets to short term liabilities ratio improved to 95.6 percent (94.9 percent in Dec-18) percent over the comparable period of last year.

    Islamic Banking Institutions (IBIs) continued to augment the overall profitability of the banking sector as it contributed 26.5 percent to the overall after-tax profits during H1CY19, despite 14.4 percent share in total banking sector assets.

    The earnings ratios, which were on downtrend for last few years, improved during the half year under review Return on Equity after-tax inched up to 11.4 percent in Jun-19 from 10.7 percent in Dec- 18, while ROA improved to 0.84 percent from 0.81 percent The turnaround in profitability indicators, after three consecutive years of downturn, was primarily enabled by rising interest rates over the last year or so.

  • SBP directs banks to ensure employment quota for disable persons

    SBP directs banks to ensure employment quota for disable persons

    KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday directed banks to ensure compliance related to employment quota for persons with disabilities.

    In a notification, the SBP directed all banks, Microfinance banks and Development Finance Institutions to ensure compliance with the relevant law as amended from time to time.

    The SBP said that the Disable Persons’ (Employment and Rehabilitation) Ordinance, 1981 was promulgated to provide for the employment, rehabilitation and welfare of the persons with disabilities.

    Similar legislation on Provincial level is also in force. Accordingly, Federal and Provincial Government establishments as well as commercial and industrial establishments are inter-alia required to maintain quota for employment of the persons with disabilities.

  • SBP urged to direct banks for accepting sales tax refund bonds

    SBP urged to direct banks for accepting sales tax refund bonds

    KARACHI: The business community has urged State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to issue directives to banks for accepting sales tax refund bonds in order to ease hardship in liquidity issues, especially for the exports.

    Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in this regard wrote a letter to SBP Governor Reza Baqir and apprised him about the government papers, which were issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) against the stuck up refunds, but despite inclusion in the Sales Tax Act, 1990 the banks were not accepting those.

    Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan, President, KCCI in the letter said that due to liquidity crunch the exporters had no option but to curtail their production and were trying to maintain their share in the existing international market.

    “The situation has worsened to such an extent that our exporters simply cannot explore any new market to raise the exports due to lack of funds which, if not timely addressed, is likely to have a negative impact on Pakistan’s economy which is already under immense pressure and is struggling hard to narrow the current account deficit.”

    He said that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued Bonds to the claimants and as per provisions of section 67-A of the Sales Tax Act-1990, these bonds shall be traded freely in the Country’s secondary markets and they will be accepted by the banks as Collateral.

    “However, despite specific directions in the relevant Act, these bonds are neither being traded freely in the market nor being accepted by the banks, creating severe liquidity problems for the exporters who are unable to finish their export orders, hence the situation was likely to shrink the overall exports and may also result in further depreciation of the desperately Foreign Exchange reserves of the country which requires Governor State Bank’s indulgence.”

    He stressed that the State Bank has to ensure compliance of the statutory provisions as soon as possible. “Almost a month has passed so far but no relief has been provided to minimize the grievances being faced by the exporters.”

    He was of the opinion that the exporters were already going through the toughest time due to ‘Creative Destruction’ which has made many Pakistani products obsolete in the international markets whereas they are terribly suffering due to high cost of doing business, stagnant industrial activities, the highest ever inflation and many other issues particularly the stuck up refund claims that needs to be resolved and the claimants must get their legitimate refunds on top priority.

  • Pakistan’s weekly forex reserves increase by $149.7 million

    Pakistan’s weekly forex reserves increase by $149.7 million

    KARACHI: The total liquid foreign exchange reserves of the country have increased by $149.7 million to $15.142 billion by week ended October 11, 2019 as compared with $14.992 billion a week ago, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Thursday.

    The reserves held by State Bank witnessed increase of $56.1 million to $7.813 billion by week ended October 11 as compared with $7.757 billion.

    The reserves held by commercial banks increased by $93.6 million to $7.329 billion as compared with $7.235 billion.

  • Foreign investment grows by 51pc during first quarter

    Foreign investment grows by 51pc during first quarter

    KARACHI: The total inflow of foreign private investment increased by 51 percent growth during first quarter (July-September) of 2019/2020, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Thursday.

    The total foreign private investment increased to $565 million during the first quarter of current fiscal year as compared with $374 million in the same period of the last fiscal year.

    The foreign direct investment (FDI) posted nominal decline of 3.1 percent to $542 million during the period under review as compared with $559 million in the same period of the last fiscal year.

    The inflows under FDI were $763 million during July – September 2019, which were 5.4 percent lower when compared with inflows of $806 million in the same period of the last year.

    The outflows under FDI were declined by 11 percent to $221 million as compared with $247 million.

    The foreign investment in capital market witnessed 112.2 percent increase during the first quarter of current fiscal year.

    The portfolio investment recorded $22.7 million inflows during July – September 2019 as against outflows of $185 million in the corresponding period of the last year.

  • SBP directs banks to verify trade price before approving import, export forms

    SBP directs banks to verify trade price before approving import, export forms

    KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has directed banks, exchange companies to verify trade prices before approving import or exports forms.

    The central bank issued instructions to the authorized dealers in foreign exchange related to Framework for Managing Risks of Trade Based Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing.

    The SBP said that the Authorized Dealers (ADs) shall define clear policies and procedures for price verification, including defining the level of acceptable price variance, escalation procedures and suspicious transaction reporting mechanism when significant differences in prices are identified.

    ii. It shall be the exclusive responsibility of an AD to perform due diligence with respect to various risk factors in a trade transaction. In this regard, ADs shall be specifically required to verify the prices of underlying contracts as declared on EIF/MIF, EFE/MFE, Advance Payment Voucher from reliable sources i.e. chambers of commerce, local business circles, daily newspapers, Internet, historic appraisements, Customs valuation rulings, etc. where prices are available and shall satisfy themselves before approving EIF/MIF, EFE/MFE or disbursing the amount to the exporter as the case may be that the prices declared by their client represent the fair market value of goods.

    The ADs shall institute a mechanism, supported by technology-based solutions, to carry out assessment of prices of underlying contracts on post transaction basis that is after the approval of EIF/MIF, EFE/MFE or disbursing the amount to the exporter, where price checks are not performed at pre-transaction stage, and shall satisfy themselves that the prices declared by their client represent the fair market value of goods.

    This function may be performed by the department other than the front office/centralized trade-processing unit where transaction is taking place. To this end, ADs may assign this function either to their risk management department or compliance department.

    The department to which this function is assigned shall be under obligation to conclude the assessment with thirty days of approving EIF/MIF, EFE/MFE or disbursing the amount to the exporter as the case may be.

    The financial institutions shall require the exporter to submit a copy of underlying sale contract along with Advance Payment Voucher.

    The procedure of price verification/assessment shall be documented by ADs for later review /audit/inspection, the SBP said.

    The significant variance between the prices of goods declared on EIF/MIF, EFE/MFE, Advance Payment Voucher and their fair market value shall serve as one of the prime red flag indicators and all such transactions shall be escalated to the higher management, which shall review the same and consider the option of filing STR with FMU etc. This procedure shall be documented by ADs for later review /audit/inspection.

    The SBP further instructed that Authorized Dealers (ADs) shall ensure compliance of the following instructions while approving EIF/MIF, EFE/MFE:

    a) Full details/exact specification, quality/varieties/sub categories of goods being imported/exported are declared on EIF/MIF, EFE/MFE and declaring the description of goods that is general in nature or represents the generic name of goods should be avoided.

    b) Declaration of unit of measurement such as boxes, cases etc. on EIF/MIF, EFE/MFE, which obscures the actual quantity of goods being imported/exported, shall be avoided. In this respect, unit of measurement, if not required to be declared otherwise, shall be declared in line with relevant Custom Valuation Rulings (if available).

    c) In case, the brand/trade name/trademark of a product is to be declared on EIF/MIF, EFE/MFE, it shall be accompanied by the generic name of such product.

    d) H.S. Code of each product which forms the part of the underlying contract is declared on EIF/MIF, EFE/MFE. Where an H.S. Code includes multiple goods/products, ADs shall ensure that the particulars of each product are written against that H.S. Code.

    e) Guideline at (a)(c) & (d) above shall be followed while making declaration on Advance Payment Voucher. Moreover, it shall be ensured by ADs that in case of advance payment export, declaration made on EFE/MFE is strictly in accordance with the particulars declared on Advance Payment Voucher and name of consignee declared on EFE/MFE is of the same entity from which the advance payment is received.

    ii. The particulars of EIF/MIF, EFE/MFE shall be corroborated with that of Goods Declaration Form, where transaction does not involve a letter of credit, to check the cohesion and in case of significant variation(s), the matter shall be escalated to the higher management, which shall review the same and consider the option of filing STR with FMU etc.

  • Open account, advance payments considered as higher risk transactions for trade based money laundering

    Open account, advance payments considered as higher risk transactions for trade based money laundering

    KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has advised financial institutions dealing foreign exchange to enhance due diligence on higher risk transactions to stop trade based money laundering.

    The SBP on Tuesday issued Framework for Managing Risks of Trade Based Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing and said that banks and financial institutions should ensure that high risk transactions in the area of trade business are subject to more extensive due diligence and are escalated, where required, to the higher management.

    ii. In this respect, following transactions may have higher Money Laundering/Terror Financing risks and may be considered for Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD):

    a) Open Account

    b) Advance Payments (Import & Export of Goods)

    c) Import/Export of Services

    d) Import/Export of Free of Cost Goods

    e) Trade transactions with related party

    f) Import of goods that are exempt from import related duties

    g) Import of goods that are subject to over 25% import duties

    h) Export of goods on which export related rebates are allowed by the Government of Pakistan

    i) Where an exporter allows trade discounts to the same importer consistently by the way of deduction of amount of discount from the proceeds of export bills.

    j) Trade transaction of sole proprietorship or partnership concern received by centralized trade processing unit from a different branch of an AD with whom their relationship is not generally associated or frequent switching of branch for trade transactions by such concerns.

    k) Trade transactions with high-risk jurisdictions or jurisdictions with lax AML/CFT regulations and implementations

    l) Outward remittance from personal FCY account of the importer

    m) Unusually relaxed terms for settlement of counter value both for exports as well as imports e.g. no specific timeline for shipment of goods against exports advance payment, extended credit period for payment against import of goods especially between unrelated parties.

    Due weightage shall be given by authorized dealers to the risk rating of the customer while allowing high-risk transactions.

    In this respect, a criteria shall be developed by the ADs whereby transactions falling in high-risk category specifically Advance Payments (Import & Export), where clients have outstanding overdues/poor performance history, shall be escalated to the higher management for taking appropriate decision about the fate of transactions.

    In case of recurrence of non-performance post allowing the transaction, the higher management of financial institutions may subject the customer to enhance/continuous monitoring.

    However, in case of persistent non-performance during the period in which the customer has been subjected to enhance/continuous monitoring, the AD may evaluate the transaction for filing an Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) with Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) if they have sufficient grounds to form suspicion that the customer is using trade transaction to launder money, finance terrorism etc. ADs, in such circumstance, should also evaluate the risks of continuing relationship with the customer.

    Notwithstanding the above, even if the senior management of ADs on the matter escalated to it does not find sufficient grounds for filing of an STR, they may consider subjecting the customer to enhanced/continuous monitoring.