Central Bank of Bahamas Allows Loan Payment Deferral Amid COVID Crisis
The Central Bank of Bahamas arranged with domestic banks and credit unions to provide a three-month deferral against repayments on credit facilities for businesses and households that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This measure will be reviewed in June 2020, for appropriate changes that may still be warranted. However, some financial institutions already announced credit support that could extend beyond three months. The Central Bank will extend tolerant regulatory treatment to exclude these credit balances from being classified as arrears or restructured loans.
Forbearance will also be provided for borrowers who maintained their accounts in good standing before the onset of the pandemic. It is on the condition that such payments will resume, with accrued interest, when the financial circumstances of such borrowers recover. More details on the payment deferrals arrangements will be released in the coming days. The Central Bank will continue to monitor economic conditions and make adjustments to monetary and prudential policies that promote and preserve the stability of the financial system.
Borrowers should be advised that, since any credit on which repayment has been postponed will continue to accrue interest, they should only take advantage of payment deferrals when other options or adjustments do not exist. Borrowers who can afford to do so are encouraged to continue making loan payments, rather than see their loans increase through accrued interest. In all instances, borrowers are urged to inform their lending institutions of hardships they may be experiencing from loss or reduction in cash flows, income, or employment.
Keywords: Americas, Bahamas, Banking, COVID-19, Loan Payment, Credit Risk, Restructured Loans, Central Bank of Bahamas
Featured Experts
Victor Calanog, Ph.D.
Leading economist; commercial real estate; performance forecasting, econometric infrastructure; data modeling; credit risk modeling; portfolio assessment; custom commercial real estate analysis; thought leader.
Previous Article
APRA Delays Implementation of New Data Collection SolutionRelated Articles
EC Rule on Contractual Recognition of Write Down and Conversion Powers
The European Commission (EC) published the Delegated Regulation 2021/1527 with regard to the regulatory technical standards for the contractual recognition of write down and conversion powers.
ECB to Consider Climate Risks When Reviewing Collateral Framework
In a response to the questions posed by a member of the European Parliament, the President Christine Lagarde highlighted the commitment of the European Central Bank (ECB) to an ambitious climate-related action plan along with a roadmap, which was published in July 2021.
SRB Provides Update on Approach to Prior Permissions Regime
The Single Resolution Board (SRB) published a Communication on the application of regulatory technical standard provisions on prior permission for reducing eligible liabilities instruments as of January 01, 2022.
APRA Issues Further Guidance on Application of Securitization Standard
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) published a new set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to provide guidance to authorized deposit-taking institutions on the interpretation of APS 120, the prudential standard on securitization.
ACPR Publishes Corrective Version of RUBA Taxonomy
The French Prudential Control and Resolution Authority (ACPR) published the corrective version of the RUBA taxonomy Version 1.0.1, which will come into force from the decree of January 31, 2022.
Nordea Bank and EIB Sign Agreement to Fund Green Projects in Nordics
The European Commission (EC) announced that Nordea Bank has signed a guarantee agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group to support the sustainable transformation of businesses in the Nordics.
APRA Publishes FAQs on Capital Treatment of Overseas Subsidiaries
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) published a new set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to clarify the regulatory capital treatment of investments in the overseas deposit-taking and insurance subsidiaries.
EBA Finalizes Guidance to Assess Breaches of Large Exposure Limits
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published the final report on the guidelines specifying the criteria to assess the exceptional cases when institutions exceed the large exposure limits and the time and measures needed for institutions to return to compliance.
PRA Finalizes Changes to Consolidated Prudential Rules Under CRD5/CRR2
The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) issued the policy statement PS20/21, which contains final rules for the application of existing consolidated prudential requirements to financial holding companies and mixed financial holding companies.
EBA Revises Guidelines on Stress Tests of Deposit Guarantee Schemes
The European Banking Authority (EBA) revised the guidelines on stress tests to be conducted by the national deposit guarantee schemes under the Deposit Guarantee Schemes Directive (DGSD).
