Author : Muzammal Rahim

UAE Central Bank inspections – common IFRS 9 findings

As the UAE’s financial landscape matures into a global powerhouse, the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has intensified its supervisory lens on IFRS 9 Financial Instruments. Recent inspections and the release of updated Model Management Guidance (MMG) underscore a shift from basic implementation to “high-fidelity” compliance. For banks, the focus has moved beyond simply […]

Navigating CBUAE Expectations for IFRS 9 Compliance

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has consistently emphasized robust financial reporting and risk management within the nation’s banking sector. For financial institutions operating in the UAE, understanding and meticulously adhering to CBUAE’s expectations for IFRS 9 compliance is not merely a regulatory obligation but a cornerstone of sound financial health and operational resilience. […]

SAMA’s Expectations on Model Governance Under IFRS 9

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has set clear and robust expectations for model governance under IFRS 9, reflecting the increasing complexity and significance of financial models in risk management and financial reporting. IFRS 9, with its forward-looking approach to impairment, demands sophisticated models to estimate Expected Credit Losses (ECLs). Effective model governance is therefore not […]

Navigating IFRS 9: Model Validation Requirements for Saudi Banks

In the evolving landscape of Saudi Arabia’s financial sector, the transition to IFRS 9 Financial Instruments has shifted the paradigm from “incurred loss” to a forward-looking Expected Credit Loss (ECL) framework. For Saudi banks, this isn’t just an accounting change; it’s a rigorous regulatory mandate overseen by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). Ensuring these complex […]

5 Ways Estimator9 Meets SAMA’s IFRS 9 Requirements

The implementation of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments brought significant changes to how financial institutions in Saudi Arabia account for expected credit losses (ECL). The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has stringent requirements, moving beyond basic compliance to demand robust, transparent, and auditable ECL frameworks. For many institutions, meeting these detailed requirements manually or with fragmented systems […]

Common IFRS 9 Compliance Gaps Found in SAMA Inspections

The adoption of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments marked a significant shift for the Saudi Arabian financial sector, moving from an “incurred loss” model to a forward-looking Expected Credit Loss (ECL) framework. While Saudi banks and insurance companies have matured in their implementation, recent inspections by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) continue to highlight specific areas […]

Using Alternative Data (e.g., mobile money) for Credit Models in Kenya

For decades, the “unbanked” population in Kenya faced a Catch-22: they couldn’t get credit because they had no credit history, and they had no credit history because they couldn’t get credit. However, the rise of mobile money—led by Safaricom’s M-Pesa—has created a massive digital footprint that is now being used to bridge this gap. By […]

ECL Segmentation Strategy: How Kenya Lenders Should Segment Portfolios

Under IFRS 9, Expected Credit Loss (ECL) modeling is no longer just a compliance checkbox it is a critical tool for capital preservation. For Kenyan lenders, the challenge lies in balancing the diversity of the local market (from mobile micro-loans to large corporate syndications) with the technical requirements of the standard. A “one-size-fits-all” approach to […]

IFRS 9 for Mobile-Lending and Fintech Lenders in Kenya

The financial landscape in Kenya has been rapidly transformed by the rise of mobile lending and fintech solutions. These innovative platforms have democratized access to credit, reaching millions of Kenyans previously underserved by traditional banks. However, this growth brings with it increased scrutiny and the need for robust financial reporting, particularly concerning IFRS 9 (International […]

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