Application Process

Applicants shall apply in writing to BDCB for a license under the Finance Companies Act, Chapter 89.

Licensing Criteria

In considering any application for a licence, applicants must be able to satisfy the general requirements deemed necessary by the Authority, such as but not limited to:

• a) High reputation in the financial community;
• b) Directors, controllers and senior management are fit and proper; and
• c) Its minimum issued and paid up capital is not less than $25,000,000.

Finance Companies offering Islamic financing business are required to establish a Syariah Advisory Body, which is appointed pursuant to section 6(2)(g) of Finance Companies Act and acts accordingly within the BDCB Guidelines to Banks and Financial Institutions on Fitness and Propriety for Syariah Advisory Body.

Required Documents

• A written application to BDCB;
• Certified copy of Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association;
• Annual Audited Financial Statements of the finance company (if applicable), as well as Statement of Financial Position, Statement of Profit and Loss, and Other Comprehensive Income, dated not more than three months prior to the date of the application;
• Annual Reports of the finance company's holding company or shareholders with controlling interest for the latest financial year;
• Proposed structure of operations in Brunei Darussalam;
• Business Plan (including type of business, staff support, pro-forma financial data and financial projections for first five years of operation);
• Whether the granting of the license will serve the public interest; and
• For Islamic finance companies, approval from the Syariah Financial Supervisory Board (SFSB) for any Islamic financial products and services to ensure they are not contrary to Hukum Syara'.

Relevant Fees

An application along with necessary documentations shall be submitted to:

Deputy Managing Director
(Regulatory and Supervision)
Brunei Darussalam Central Bank,
Level 7, Ministry of Finance and Economy Building
Commonwealth Drive
Bandar Seri Begawan, BB3910
Brunei Darussalam

For further enquiries, please contact 2380975 or email bankingpolicy[at]bdcb[dot]gov[dot]bn.