SBP allows BAFL to establish Alfalah Currency Exchange

October 26, 2023 (MLN): The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) issued the no objection certificate to Bank Alfalah Limited (PSX: BAFL) on Thursday for establishing an exchange company in the name of Alfalah Currency Exchange (Private) Limited.

On October 2, 2023, the Board of Directors of BAFL approved the establishment of an Exchange Company with an initial paid-up capital of up to Rs2 billion.

The sum of Rs2bn will be raised through the issuance of 200 million ordinary shares at a price of Rs10 per share.

The exchange company would be a wholly owned subsidiary of the bank.

The board’s decision is subject to approval/clearance by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and completion of other regulatory compliance requirements.

This development comes after the SBP introduced reforms for the banks engaged in foreign exchange business to establish wholly owned Exchange Companies (ECs) to cater to the legitimate foreign exchange needs of the general public.

This action taken by the central bank comes in response to various regulatory issues that have been observed in the operations of ECs.

With this initiative, the SBP aims to consolidate and transform various types of ECs into a single category with a well-defined mandate.

In addition to BAFL, certain banks including, Allied Bank Limited (PSX: ABL), Bank AL Habib Limited (PSX: BAHL), MCB Bank Limited (PSX: MCB), Meezan Bank Limited (PSX: MEBL), and United Bank Limited (PSX: UBL), have decided to establish their own exchange company.

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