BoG Revises Minimum Capital Paid Up For Rural Banks, Microfinance Coys

The Bank of Ghana has finally increased the minimum capital for micro finance institutions, financial NGOs and Rural Banks. 

The institutions need to meet at least part of the new minimum capital before they can operate by the end of the year and everything by 2017 for rural banks and 2018 for micro finance.  


Below is the full statement


NOTICE TO RURAL BANKS, MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS AND THE PUBLIC

NOTICE NO. BG/GOV/SEC/2015/08

RURAL BANKS AND MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS: REVISION OF THE MINIMUM PAID-UP CAPITAL

Further to Bank of Ghana Notice No. BG/GOV/SEC/2013/05 DATED 30th August 2013 and Notice No. BG/GOV/SEC/2013/08 DATED 30th December, 2013, the Bank of Ghana announces for the information of Rural/Community Banks and Microfinance Institutions (TIER 2 and Tier 3 Microfinance Institutions), the revised minimum capital requirement for the industry applicable to both existing and new entrants, in accordance with Section 6(2) of the Banking Act, 2004 (Act 673) and Section 11 of the Non-Bank Financial Institutions Act, 2008 (Act 774) as follows:

1.0 RURAL/COMMUNITY BANKS

1.1 Minimum paid-up capital requirement for obtaining a Rural/Community banking licence is GH¢1,000,000.00 (One Million Ghana Cedis).

1.2 All existing Rural and Community banks as well as Rural and Community banks which have been granted provisional approval by the Bank of Ghana are advised to take steps to enhance their capital, to meet the revised minimum paid-up capital requirement.

1.2 New applicants or entrants into the industry should note and comply with the new minimum paid-up capital requirement.

1.4 TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

All licensed Rural/Community Banks are to raise their minimum paid-up capital to GH¢300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis) by 31st December 2015,
GH¢500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis) by 31st December 2016 and
GH¢1,000,000.00 (One Million Ghana Cedis) by 31st December 2017.  

2.0 TIER 2 AND TIER 3 MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS

2.1 The minimum paid-up capital requirement for obtaining a Tier 2 (Deposit Taking) and Tier 3 (Non-Deposit Taking) Microfinance Institution Licence is GH¢2,000,000.00 (Two Million Ghana Cedis).

2.2 Microfinance Institutions which have been granted provisional approval by the Bank of Ghana, shall comply with a minimum paid-up capital requirement of GH¢500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis) and submit a credible capital plan to raise the minimum paid-up capital to GH¢2,000,000.00 (Two Million Ghana Cedis) in accordance with the transitional arrangements set out in paragraph 2.5 of this Notice.

2.3 Applicants who have not been granted provisional approval and new applicants shall comply with the new minimum paid-up capital requirement of GH¢2,000,000.00 (Two Million Ghana Cedis) with immediate effect.

2.4 Evidence of capital contribution shall be subject to verification by the Bank of Ghana before inclusion in the paid-up capital and registration with the Registrar-General’s Department.

2.5 TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

i. All licensed Tier 2 Microfinance Institutions are to raise their minimum paid-up capital to GH¢250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Ghana Cedis) by 30th July 2015, GH¢500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis) by 30th June 2016 and GH¢2,000,000.00 (Two Million Ghana Cedis) by 30th June 2018.

ii. All licensed Tier 3 Microfinance Institutions are to raise their minimum paid up capital to GH¢ 150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Ghana Cedis) by 31st December 2015,
GH¢300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis) by 31st December 2016 and
GH¢2,000,000.00 (Two Million Ghana Cedis) by 31st December 2018.

3.0 FINANCIAL NGOs

The minimum paid-up capital of Financial NGOs remains at GH¢300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis).

4.0 Microfinance Institutions which fail to comply with the revised capital requirements shall have their operating licenses revoked. Shareholders, Directors and Operators of Rural/Community Banks, Microfinance Institutions, prospective investors/applicants and the general public are to take note of the above and be guided accordingly.  

This notice supersedes earlier notices issued in relation to the minimum paid-up capital requirements for Rural/Community Banks and Microfinance Institutions.

CAROLINE OTOO (MRS)

THE SECRETARY


3RD JULY, 2015

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana