The QFC Regulatory Authority (QFCRA), pursuant to Article 31 of the Financial Services Regulations (the FSR), yesterday issued First Abu Dhabi Bank P.J.S.C (registered Branch in the QFC No. 00098) (FAB), with a First Supervisory Notice (the Supervisory Notice). FAB is an authorised firm within the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC).
The Supervisory Notice prohibits FAB from carrying on, for any new customers, any regulated activities, including deposit taking, providing credit facilities, arranging deals in investments, arranging credit facilities and advising on investments at its QFC Branch.
The QFC Regulatory Authority took this decision due to FAB’s failure to satisfy the Regulatory Authority of its fitness and propriety in respect of its conduct in the QFC. FAB has failed to comply with an order of the QFC Civil and Commercial Court to produce an affidavit demonstrating its preservation of documents relevant to an ongoing regulatory investigation into potential manipulation of the Qatari Riyal.
The Supervisory Notice does not prohibit FAB from continuing to provide services to its existing customers, and the Regulatory Authority does not expect this Supervisory Notice to have any negative impact on those relationships.
Michael Ryan, the CEO of the QFCRA, said: “It is the role of the Regulatory Authority to protect customers and potential customers of the QFC and to ensure that authorised firms meet, and continue to meet, the required regulatory standards. In circumstances where we are concerned that a bank is not meeting those standards, we will not hesitate to take action to protect the QFC financial system”.
