“Tidbits From TNT” Sunday 8-10-2025

TNT:

Tishwash:  The Central Bank to Al-Maalouma: Our measures for banks are necessary, but not strict.

A member of the Central Bank's Board of Directors, Ahmed Brihi, confirmed today, Saturday, that the standards set by the bank to reform the banking sector are not strict or prohibitive, but rather aim to protect banks from collapse and ensure the safety of depositors' funds, in addition to preserving Iraq's international financial relations.

Brihi said in a statement to Al-Maalouma Agency, “The banking reform standards approved by the Central Bank related to private banks are not strict measures as promoted, but rather are necessary steps aimed at ensuring financial stability and preventing banks from collapsing.”

He added, "A number of private banks faced circumstances that disrupted their financial operations, which required the Central Bank to establish regulatory standards to protect them and depositors' funds."

He pointed out that "these standards also take into account the importance of maintaining the Central Bank's international financial relations, which represent a decisive factor in Iraq's monetary and financial stability."  link

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Tishwash:  The Central Bank of Iraq's fines on banks and financial companies exceed 66 billion. 

The Central Bank of Iraq announced on Saturday that fines imposed on banks and non-banking institutions (exchange companies) amounted to more than 66 billion Iraqi dinars during the first half of 2025.

Statistics from the bank showed that “the fines imposed on banks and financial companies during the past six months, starting from January/November until the end of last June, amounted to 66 billion, 210 million, and 955 thousand dinars,” indicating that “the fines also included 77 administrative penalties for these banks and non-banking institutions, distributed between warnings, alerts, and grace periods.”

The bank stated that, "These fines decreased from the same period last year, which amounted to 181 billion, 842 million, and 854 thousand dinars, while the penalties amounted to 151, distributed between warnings, cautions, and grace periods."

The bank did not name the banks subject to the fines or administrative penalties. There are approximately 51 private banks, including 23 private commercial banks and 28 private Islamic banks.  link

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Tishwash:  Al-Sudani announces decisive steps to reform Iraqi banks and restore confidence in the financial sector.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani affirmed on Sunday the continuation of the comprehensive banking reform process through three basic steps, emphasizing the need for implementation to be based on a balanced vision that takes into account the specificities of Iraqi reality and ensures enhanced confidence in the banking sector.

A statement issued by his office, received by Al-Mada, said, "Al-Sudani was briefed on the latest developments related to the banking reform paper, particularly those related to private banks, appreciating the efforts made by the Central Bank of Iraq in preparing the document, which aims to enhance financial stability, achieve transparency, and raise the efficiency of the banking sector."

The statement indicated that "the Prime Minister paid special attention to the observations contained in the letter from the Iraqi Private Banks Association dated August 3, which included challenges facing local banks in implementing some provisions of the document, particularly those related to capital increase requirements, the adoption of a strategic partner, the costs of contracting with foreign companies, as well as the binding timelines. Accordingly, Al-Sudani called for adopting a participatory and consultative approach between the Central Bank and Iraqi banks by forming joint technical committees to review reform requirements and ensure their compatibility with the national financial and economic reality, in a manner that maintains a balance between reform requirements and the capabilities of local banks and protects the interests of investors and workers in this vital sector."

Al-Sudani explained that "the three approved steps begin with opening an expanded dialogue between the Central Bank and the banks to clarify the technical aspects of the document and discuss possible implementation mechanisms and their gradual progression.

This includes taking into account the specificity of the Iraqi reality when applying international standards, while committing to reform in principle and formulating standards in a manner that enhances confidence in the banking sector. This is followed by reassuring the banking community through clear messages that the goal of reform is empowerment, not exclusion, and that the doors of discussion remain open to serve the national economy."

For his part, banking expert Majid Abdul Hamid told Al-Mada that "the document represents a necessary step to raise the efficiency of the banking sector and improve the business environment in Iraq, but its success depends on gradual implementation and linking each stage to a clear support plan." He explained that the immediate implementation of some provisions, such as increasing capital or requiring a strategic partner, could place small banks under significant financial pressure, which requires granting them appropriate periods of time to adapt.

Economist Ayad Al-Rawi explained to Al-Mada that "banking reform is part of a broader economic reform, and that raising technical standards for banks will boost the confidence of depositors and investors. However, he warned that the lack of effective communication with the public could lead to unjustified fears and sudden withdrawals of deposits."

He stressed that "gradualness and transparency in announcing measures will be key to the success of reform, calling for a supportive legislative and financial environment to reduce risks to the local market."

As the government continues its path of banking reform, the stakes remain on the ability of the relevant parties to balance adherence to international standards with their adaptation to Iraqi market conditions, thus preserving the sector's stability and enhancing its role in financing development and supporting the national economy.  link

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Mot: . OK!!! --- Bringing OUT the ""RV Clock""

Mot: .. can ya sing um????