Be careful with cross-border lending, foreign currency exposures – BoG to financial institutions

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has issued a directive to Regulated Financial Institutions (RFIs) regarding cross-border lending, foreign currency exposures, and credit risk management. The BoG advises RFIs to have adequate policies and procedures in place to identify, assess, measure, evaluate, monitor, report, and control or mitigate country risk and transfer risk.

This is to avert potential defaults or deterioration in credit quality of foreign counterparties arising from macroeconomic, fiscal, political, or financial sector conditions. The BoG also urges RFIs not to introduce or implement such products, market entries, or delivery channels unless the required regulatory approvals have been obtained.

The directive covers various aspects of credit risk management, including establishing strict policies to avoid association with individuals involved in fraudulent activities or other serious financial crimes, employing robust due diligence measures, establishing sound credit-granting criteria, undertaking comprehensive credit risk assessments, and diversifying loan portfolios.

The BoG will begin the implementation of the Credit Risk Management Directive for all Banks, Savings and Loans, Finance Houses, and Financial Holding Firms from July 1, 2027.

Brief written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.