CBK announces new principles to govern commercial banks

Business
By Winfrey Owino | Mar 22, 2023
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). [File, Standard]

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has announced the issuance of a new Kenya Foreign Exchange Code (the FX Code) to commercial banks.

According to CBK, the principle focuses on six principles that all institutions are required to adhere to.

"The code sets out standards for commercial banks, and aims to strengthen and promote the integrity and effective functioning of the wholesale foreign exchange (FX) market in Kenya," a statement by CBK reads in part.

"It will facilitate better functioning of the market, reinforcing Kenya's flexible exchange rate regime for greater resilience of the economy,"

The six principles to be adhered to by institutions are:

  • Ethics: Ethical and professional behavior when operating in the FX market.
  • Governance: Implementation of a sound and effective governance framework to oversee FX market activity.
  • Execution: Exercising due care when negotiating and executing transactions.
  • Information Sharing: Clarity and accuracy in communication.
  • Risk Management and Compliance: Development and maintenance of a robust control and compliance framework.
  • Confirmation and Settlement Processes: Ensuring predictable, smooth, and timely settlement of FX transactions.

Additionally, CBK says it has enhanced regulation and market surveillance.

" CBK continues to closely monitor the market considering its growing complexity and emerging risks to fair and effective trading. It is against this backdrop that CBK has issued the FX Code,"

Share this story
Kenya's trade deficit widens to Sh1.6tr on raised maize imports
New data shows the value of imports in 2025 rose to Sh2.8 trillion, up from Sh2.7 trillion in 2024.
Why State is in rush to push job creation in cotton value chain
AFA Chairman Cornelly Serem challenged Kenyans to support locally manufactured fabrics by purchasing clothes made within the country instead of relying on imports.
Revealed: How SMEs are losing millions to lack of circular economy certification rules
A significant 93 per cent of SMEs report difficulties accessing stable and reliable markets, limiting their ability to plan, invest and scale.
How startups are using tech to solve farmers' biggest challenges
Inside startups using tech to solve farmers’ biggest challenges
Conservation pays: How protecting rivers has built a rural economy
Farmers living along the upper Tana have improved their livelihoods within the last 10 years by protecting Kenya’s largest river.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS