Moldova, Sri Lanka, Laos, Tanzania and Iraq regulators issue bank capital, insurance and payments rules

The Central Bank of Iraq grants Al-Aman Electronic Payment Services Company (Limited Liability) a final licence No. 20 of 2026 to operate in Iraq as a local issuer and processor, consistent with the National Electronic Payment Scheme project. The letter also approves the appointment of a delegated director and imposes conditions, including bringing in an experienced shareholder within six months and paying licensing fees.

The Central Bank of Iraq's Bank Supervision Department issues a guideline, based on Board of Directors Decision No. 70 of 2026, to help licensed banks and non-bank financial institutions identify, assess and manage the risks of shell companies. It sets definitions, legal basis, suspicion-handling procedures, record-keeping rules, a four-pillar analytical framework, a RACI responsibility matrix and best practices under the risk-based approach.

The Bank of the Lao PDR issues a decision establishing the rules for compulsory gold reserves that gold banks must hold at the central bank, including eligible gold and liability types, a 28-day computation and maintenance period, calculation and reporting methods, and the responsibilities of BOL departments and gold banks. It also sets prohibitions and a graduated penalty regime for misreporting and for failing to maintain the required reserve level.

This resolution amends the Regulation on banks' own funds and capital requirements (approved by Resolution no.109/2018) and other normative acts of the NBM, partially transposing Regulation (EU) No 575/2013, Delegated Regulation (EU) No 241/2014, and Delegated Regulation (EU) No 523/2014. The amendments concern own funds requirements, the introduction of the concept of eligible liabilities, the treatment of non-performing exposures, the deduction of software, as well as distributions to shareholders. The resolution affects banks in the Republic of Moldova and enters into force on July 1, 2027, with the exception of certain provisions that apply earlier or conditionally upon EU accession.

The Executive Committee of the National Bank of Moldova amends the Instruction on banks' submission of COREP supervisory reports (approved by Decision No. 117/2018) to introduce new reporting on counterparty credit risk. It adds templates C 34.01–C 34.04, C 34.06 and C 34.08–C 34.10, transposing in part EU Implementing Regulation 2024/3117, and sets quarterly or semi-annual reporting frequencies depending on the CCR approach used. The decision affects all banks and applies from 1 October 2026, with first reporting for the 31 December 2026 position (individual level) and 31 December 2027 (consolidated level).

This resolution of the Executive Committee of the National Bank of Moldova amends two regulations: the one on the treatment of settlement/delivery risk for banks (no. 115/2018) and the one on the calculation of specific and general credit risk adjustments (no. 116/2018). The amendments align the national framework with Regulation (EU) no. 575/2013 and Delegated Regulation (EU) no. 183/2014, introducing provisions on risk weights for unsettled transactions, the treatment of credit risk adjustments under the IRB approach, and the calculation of expected losses, shortfall, and excess. The document affects banks applying the IRB approach or the standardized approach and enters into force on July 1, 2027.

The Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka directs general insurance companies and insurance brokering companies on how business originating from Licensed Banks, Licensed Finance Companies and Licensed Leasing Companies (BFLs) must be handled, following concerns that BFLs act as insurance brokers or agents without registration under the Regulation of Insurance Industry Act, No. 43 of 2000. Insurers may only accept BFL leads through insurance brokers, are barred from giving BFLs proposal forms, cover notes, advisory roles or consideration, and must not collect premiums directly from BFLs, while policyholders' freedom to choose their own broker or agent is preserved. The direction takes effect on 1 October 2026.

The Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka directs that general insurance companies may grant a credit period to insured parties for payment of the full premium on motor insurance policies, but that credit period may not exceed 30 days from the inception of cover. The Direction applies to motor insurance policies issued on or after 1 May 2026 and is intended to regulate premium payment practices in the motor insurance segment.

The Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka directs all licensed general insurers engaged in motor insurance business to issue only digital motor insurance cards to policyholders from 1 May 2026 and to stop issuing physical cards from that date. The Direction, issued under Section 96A of the Regulation of Insurance Industry Act, No. 43 of 2000, aims to modernize motor insurance in line with national digitalization and to strengthen public security.

The Bank of Tanzania, as Secretariat to the National Financial Inclusion Council, reminds Certified Financial Educators (CFEs) of conduct requirements under the Certified Financial Educators Programme launched in December 2023. The notice responds to concerns that some CFEs are misinforming the public and misrepresenting the programme's objectives, and warns that certificates may be withdrawn for non-compliance.