Old Coaster's List of Bank Regulators around the World
Section 1 Bank Regulators in Countries A - K
Most Countries have web-sites set up by their regulators that can be searched to find any regulated financial entity. If it is missing from the regulator's list , it is a fake and this information is not open to any doubt at all. However, please be careful, since it is easy to get a false negative.
Here is a list of the various regulators we have found so far. If a Regulator is not on the list, please either pm me or post it in the thread. I will check it out and add it as soon as possible.
Albania
Regulated by the Bank of Albania, a full list of authorised banks is to be found here. http://www.bankofalbania.org/ Click on "English" and then "Banks in Albania" under "Banking Supervision".
information provided by Baitonastick
Algeria
Regulated by the Banque d'Algrie, a full list of authorised banks and financial institutions is to be found here. http://bank-of-algeria.dz/banque.htm It is in French, but fairly easy to follow. information provided by Baitonastick
Andorra
The Andorran financial system is, contrary to appearances, highly regulated. Several laws have been introduced to provide a solid legal framework for the system. A list of regulated banks can be found on the pages of the Institut Nacional Andorra de Finances at http://www.inaf.ad/angles/index.php (only works on IE, go to Bodies, Banks, Authorized Banks)
The same list can be found here: http://www.andorra.be/en/3.5.htm information provided by Captain Igloo
Anguilla
The countries comprising the old British West Indies have a joint central bank - The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank which links with the local regulators in the various countries of this community. Its website is here www.eccb-centralbank.org/Financial/index.asp The easiest way to find the regulated institution is to use the scrollable menu in the middle of the page and select the appropriate area. Once there look under each country.
Antigua & Barbuda
The countries comprising the old British West Indies have a joint central bank - The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank which links with the local regulators in the various countries of this community. Its website is here www.eccb-centralbank.org/Financial/index.asp The easiest way to find the regulated institution is to use the scrollable menu in the middle of the page and select the appropriate area. Once there look under each country.
Armenia
Regulated by the Central Bank of Armenia, the full registry can be found here http://www.cba.am/bankmenu.asp?bankleft information provided by Rage
Australia
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) oversees banks, credit unions, building societies, general insurance and reinsurance companies, life insurance, friendly societies, and most members of the superannuation industry. Their searchable website is http://www.apra.gov.au/adi/ADIList.cfm and lists out all banks
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is responsible for consumer protection laws in financial services and products covering investments, superannuation, life insurance, general
insurance and bank deposit-taking (but not lending). Its website covering investment institutions is here http://www.asic.gov.au/asic/asic.nsf
Australian Business Registration
www.abr.business.gov.au/(4zdd3255jlvfu555sc3efnvs)/main.aspx contains the publicly available information provided by businesses when they register for an ABN" (Australia Business Number). information provided by Capt Ahab
Austria
The Financial Market Authority produces regular downloadable pdf files of approved banks, insurance companies and stockbrokers which can be obained from their website here. http://www.fma.gv.at/en/fma.htm Unless an institution is brand new it should be there.
Azerbaijan
Regulated by the national Bank of Azerbaijan, a full list of authorised banks in Word can be downloaded from here http://www.nba.az/eng/analitic/. information provided by Baitonastick
The Bahamas
The Central Bank of The Bahamas produces regular downloadable pdf files which can be obained from their website here www.centralbankbahamas.com Unless an institution is brand new it should be there.
However this unofficial site lists on-line all the banks operating in the Bahamas www.geographia.com/bahamas/investment/bankng01.htm and is easier to use.
information provided by Swamismurf
Bahrain
Regulated by the Bahrain Monetary Authority, a full list of authorised banks is to be found here. http://www.bma.gov.bh/ .
information provided by Baitonastick
Bangladesh
The central bank is Bangladesh Bank, which supervises and regulates all other banks in the country (a detailed description of their activities and responsibilities is here: http://www.bangladesh-bank.org/fnansys/fnansys.html ). The list of legal banks is here: http://www.bangladesh-bank.org/other/bank-finan.html
information provided by Pfiesty
Barbados
The Central Bank of Barbados produces regular downloadable pdf files which can be obained from their website here. http://www.centralbank.org.bb/Financial/finance.shtml Unless an institution is brand new it should be there.
Belgium
The Banking Finance and Insurance Commission regulates banks. It has a website inEnglish, but the List of banks here http://www.cbfa.be/fr/ki/ki.asp is in French. Unless an institution is brand new it should be there.
Belize
Lists and warning notices are provided by the Central bank of Belize here http://www.centralbank.org.bz/ information provided by aarrdvark
Benin
In the countries comprising the old French West Africa, all financial institutions should be registered with the Banque Centrale des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest. Their website (in English) is here http://www.bceao.int/internet/bcweb.nsf/pages/usys3
British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (FSC) is responsible for the regulation, supervision and inspection of all financial services in and from within the BVI. Such services include insurance, banking, trustee business, company management, mutual funds business as well as the registration of companies, limited partnerships, intellectual property and ships. (So you can spot fake boats in addition to fake banks!)
Their site can be found here: http://www.bvifsc.vg/
and their bank directory specifically: http://www.bvifsc.vg/findir_banksdir.php information provided by Pfiesty
Burkina Faso
In the countries comprising the old French West Africa, all financial institutions should be registered with the Banque Centrale des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest. Their website (in English) is here http://www.bceao.int/internet/bcweb.nsf/pages/usys3
Cameroun
In the countries comprising the old French Central Africa, all financial institutions should be registered with the Banque des Etats de l'Afrique Centale. The website of BEAC is not as advanced as that of BCEAO and is only in French www.beac.int . However, www.izf.net/izf/FicheIdentite/BEAC.htm is a pretty good substitue and gives details of the nations comprising the francophone zone in Africa. For a complete list of banks in Cameroun go to www.beac.int/cobac/cblexique.html Scroll down the page and click on Cameroun. with thanks to SolidJoe
Canada
Regulated by the Office of the Superintendant of Financial Institutions and they are listed on this website. http://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/osfi/index_e.aspx?DetailID=568
Cayman Islands
In the Cayman Islands all financial institutions should be registered with the Monetary Authority which puts out regular bulletins on known fake bank websites. Their website is here http://www.cimoney.com.ky/
Swamismurf adds http://www.offshore-bank-list.com/offshore_banks_cayman_islands.html gives the street addresses of most Cayman Islands banks, and therefore is much more helpful than the regulator's site which does not. However, do not rely on this latter site, as it may not be updated regularly.
Centrafrique
In the countries comprising the old French Central Africa, all financial institutions should be registered with the Banque des Etats de l'Afrique Centale. The website of BEAC is not as advanced as that of BCEAO and is only in French www.beac.int . However, www.izf.net/izf/FicheIdentite/BEAC.htm is a pretty good substitue and gives details of the nations comprising the francophone zone in Africa. For a complete list of banks in Camaroun go to www.beac.int/cobac/cblexique.html Scroll down the page and click on Centafrique. with thanks to SolidJoe
Channel Islands
Any banks operating out of the Channel Islands are either regulated by the Guernsey or the Jersey Authorities. See under these 2 countries.
China (Peoples Republic of)
Be aware that the central bank of the Peoples Republic is The Peoples Bank of China. The Central Bank of China is the central bank of Taiwan
The People's Bank of China is responsible for the implementation of numerous regulations concerning the operation and risk-management of banking institutions. They are also responsible for supervising and monitoring the operations and balance sheets of all financial institutions in China. Their main website is http://www.pbc.gov.cn/english/
Here is a list of banks
a) The "Big Four" commercial banks
Bank of China (BOC) (www.bank-of-china.com)
Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) (www.abchina.com)
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) (www.icbc.com.cn)
China Construction Bank (CCB) (www.ccb.com.cn)
b) Joint Stock Commercial Banks (14)
The 5 largest
Bank of Communications (BOCom) (www.bankcomm.com)
CITIC Industrial Bank (www.citicib.com.cn)
China Everbright Bank (www.cebbank.com)
Hua Xia Bank (www.hxb.com.cn)
China Investment Bank (CIB)
c) Policy Banks
The establishment of the three policy banks was intended to relieve the Big Four of many of their social lending obligations, and to channel government financing to priority sectors irrespective of the projects' commercial viability. These are:
China Development Bank (CDB)
Export-Import Bank of China (China Eximbank) www.eximbank.gov.cn
Agricultural Development Bank of China (ADBC).
d)Regional Banks
Regional banks, which can provide financial services within the borders of their respective regions, bear some policy-lending responsibilities but are becoming increasingly commercialized.
Shenzhen Development Bank,
Pudong Development Bank,
Fujian Development Bank, and
Guangdong Development Bank
China Merchants Bank, owned by the China Merchants Group, has a sister bank in Hong Kong and offers mainly trade finance services.
e) Savings Banks
China has only two major savings banks--Yantai Housing Savings Bank and Bengbu Housing Savings Bank--both of which focus specifically on facilitating the ongoing reforms in the housing market. The principal business activities of the banks include raising funds for home construction and promoting housing reform by providing low-interest mortgage financing for individuals in their respective cities. They bear some resemblance to Western-style building societies, though China still lacks a formal or legal structure for such organizations.
f) Joint-venture Banks
As of early 1995, about 30 joint-venture banks were operating in China. These banks are principally involved in providing merchant and investment banking services and trade finance for the non-State sector. Joint-venture banks--which include Xiamen International Bank, established in 1985; Tai Hwa International Bank, a Sino-Thai venture; and China International Capital Corp. (CICC), a joint venture between Morgan Stanley Group Inc. and the China Construction Bank--help transfer international banking practices to China.
g) Foreign Banks
24 cities in China are open to foreign banks and their branches, though the vast majority of these banks are concentrated in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. As of year-end 1995, there were more than 100 foreign bank branches operating in China, including Citibank Corp., Bank of America, Bank of Tokyo, Sanwa Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, and Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corp.
Japanese banks have been especially aggressive in China, and have established more financial institutions in China than have Hong Kong and US banks combined. Many of these banks, however, are now facing serious loan repayment problems.
Representative Offices are restricted to non-profit activities such as providing financial advice, consultancy and negotiating services, as well as market research for foreign companies. They are forbidden to discount commercial bills or confirm letters of credit. Representative offices cannot initiate business, but can follow up on loans and L/Cs issued at licensed branches.
SUMMARY OF CHINAS BANKING SYSTEM
(Data reference by the year end of 2000)
1 Central Bank
3 Policy Banks to channel long-term funds to target area
4 State Owned Commercial Banks
14 joint-stock commercial banks
2 Housing and Savings Bank
100 city commercial banks (the city government usually the single biggest owner)
1,268 urban credit co-operatives
3,900 agricultural credit co-operatives
168 trust and investment corporations
71 corporate group finance corporations
12 finance lease companies
191 foreign banks
China Banking Regulatory Commission
This website is apparently belongs to the regulator, but I cannot find a list of regulated entities there. http://www.cbrc.gov.cn/english/index.htm
IMPORTANT: You should report your fake bank to CBRC first
For details of how to do this refer to Wilson 888's post below
China Securities Regulatory Commission http://www.csrc.gov.cn/en/homepage/index_en.jsp. Has impressive links to many other securities regulators. information provided by aarrdvark and Wilson 888
Comment by malleus
English version seems to be major banks only. Main list is in Chinese version of website. There are 1000s of local banks and co-operatives listed.
Comores Islands (Comores Union)
Lists their banks (3) as well as apparently all companies on the island- a very small handful, on the Government page here:
http://www.presidence-uniondescomores.com/v3/us/ Site is available in French and English. information provided by aarrdvark
Congo (Brazzaville)
Do not confuse this country with the Republique Democratique du Congo below which was originally a Belgian Colony!!
In the countries comprising the old French Central Africa, all financial institutions should be registered with the Banque des Etats de l'Afrique Centale. The website of BEAC is not as advanced as that of BCEAO and is only in French www.beac.int . However, www.izf.net/izf/FicheIdentite/BEAC.htm is a pretty good substitue and gives details of the nations comprising the francophone zone in Africa. For a complete list of banks in Congo go to www.beac.int/cobac/cblexique.html Scroll down the page and click on Congo. with thanks to SolidJoe
Republique Democratique du Congo
Do not confuse this country which is the old Belgian Congo with the old French Colony above. This country is not part of BEAC
Regulated by the Banque Centrale du Congo ( www.bcc.cd ). The website is in french, however they have a list of licensed banks available at http://www.bcc.cd/banqueagree.htm . It is also a good idea to cc any abuse to cabgouv@bcc.cd (the governor of the BCC) information provided bymafrazou
Costa Rica
The Superentendencia General de Entidades Financiera is the prime regulator of Financial entities in Costa Rica and has a searchable website here. http://www.sugef.fi.cr/index.asp The website is mainly in English, but point at the Entidades Financieras icon and click on Grupos Financieras and slide the left hand menu bar. All Costa Rican Banks are listed there.
Cote d'Ivoire
In the countries comprising the old French West Africa, all financial institutions should be registered with the Banque Centrale des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest. Their website (in English) is here http://www.bceao.int/internet/bcweb.nsf/pages/usys3
Cyprus
Regulated by the Central Bank of Cyprus and a full list of authorised banks is to be found here. http://www.centralbank.gov.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=31
Cyprus, Northern
Northern Cyprus is under the control of Turkey and the bank regulator is to be found here http://www.kktcmb.trnc.net
www.kktcmb.trnc.net/ENGLISH/defaultENG.htm
Bank list is here www.kktcmb.trnc.net/ENGLISH/banks/banks-eng.html
http://www.kktcmb.trnc.net/ENGLISH/banks/offshore-banks-eng.html
.information provided by Sandy Beach
Czech Republic
Regulated by the Czech Securities Commission, the full list of authorised institutions is found here http://www.sec.cz/script/web/SubjectCategory.asp?Lang=EN
Denmark
Regulated by the the Danish FSA, the full list of authorised institutions is found here http://ft-files.webhotel.net/ft/vut/default.asp?lan=2
Dominica
The countries comprising the old British West Indies have a joint central bank - The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank which links with the local regulators in the various countries of this community. Its website is here www.eccb-centralbank.org/Financial/index.asp The easiest way to find the regulated institution is to use the scrollable menu in the middle of the page and select the appropriate area. Once there look under each country.
Dominican Republic
This site ( http://www.supbanco.gov.do/entidades/datos/index.html ) lists all the financial institutions in the country, but regretably, it is only in Spanish. Nevertheless it is easy to find your way around.information provided by ferret
Estonia
Regulated by the the Estonian FSA, the full list of authorised institutions is found here http://www.fi.ee/?id=593
Finland
Regulated by the the Finnish FSA, the full list of authorised institutions is found here http://www.rata.bof.fi/Eng/About_us/List_of_supervised_entities_and_notifications/
France
Regulated by the Banque de France, the full list of authorised institutions can be downloaded in pdf format from here http://www.banque-france.fr/gb/supervi/agrement/agrement.htm The list is updated quarterly.
Reunion, Mayotte, Guadelope are also regulated by Banque de France. This is also true for some of the other obscure, tiny ex coloniess (and offshore centres) that dot the pacific that seem to be missing links to central banks. They are usually regulated by the central bank of its particular colonial power with thanks to malleus
Gabn
In the countries comprising the old French Central Africa, all financial institutions should be registered with the Banque des Etats de l'Afrique Centale. The website of BEAC is not as advanced as that of BCEAO and is only in French www.beac.int . However, www.izf.net/izf/FicheIdentite/BEAC.htm is a pretty good substitue and gives details of the nations comprising the francophone zone in Africa. For a complete list of banks in Gabn go to www.beac.int/cobac/cblexique.html Scroll down the page and click on Gabn. with thanks to SolidJoe
Gambia
Gambian banks are regulated by the Central Bank of Gambia. However, they do not have a Web site. The Gambian government's site (http://www.gambia.gm) has a list of banks and other companies on it (http://www.gambia.gm/Directory/Page_1/page_1.html)
information provided by Pfiesty
Germany
Regulated by the the Deutsche Bundesbank, the full list of authorised institutions can be downloaded in pdf format from here http://www.bundesbank.de/bankenaufsicht/bankenaufsicht.en.php The list is in German only.
Ghana
The Bank of Ghana regulates all banks operating in the country which are split into National banks like SSB and also community banks which are much smaller. This website gives the full list http://www.bog.gov.gh/supervision/liistbanks.htm
I found this list, which unlike the main list, provides addresses and phone numbers:
http://www.bog.gov.gh/notices/notice03/banksaddress.htm 9> information provided by aarrdvark
Here's another more complete list of banks in ghana for downloading in pdf format:
http://www.bog.gov.gh/supervision/LicensedBanksaddresses.pdf 9> information provided by Captain Igloo
Gibralter
Regulated by the the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission the list of regulated banks and institutions. Looks like the government website is very good- may well be able to find other businesses as well...
The site is here: http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/external_website_link/financial_comm.htm 9> information provided by aarrdvark
Greece
Regulated by the the Bank of Greece, the full list of authorised institutions can be downloaded in pdf format from here http://www.bankofgreece.gr/en/epopteia/Epopteia-D.asp
Grenada
The countries comprising the old British West Indies have a joint central bank - The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank which links with the local regulators in the various countries of this community. Its website is here www.eccb-centralbank.org/Financial/index.asp The easiest way to find the regulated institution is to use the scrollable menu in the middle of the page and select the appropriate area. Once there look under each country.
Guernsey
The Financial Services Commission is responsible for regulating banks, Insurance and Investment Companies which are listed on this website
http://www.gfsc.gg/
If a financial institution is not on the list, it is either very recent (in which case e-mail the commission for confirmation) or it is a fake. NB branches also have to be regulated, so if the bank purports to have a Guernsey Office, it should be on the list.
Guine Bissau
In the countries comprising the old French West Africa, all financial institutions should be registered with the Banque Centrale des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest. Their website (in English) is here http://www.bceao.int/internet/bcweb.nsf/pages/usys3
Guine Equitoriale
In the countries comprising the old French Central Africa, all financial institutions should be registered with the Banque des Etats de l'Afrique Centale. The website of BEAC is not as advanced as that of BCEAO and is only in French www.beac.int . However, www.izf.net/izf/FicheIdentite/BEAC.htm is a pretty good substitue and gives details of the nations comprising the francophone zone in Africa. For a complete list of banks in Guine Equitoriale go to www.beac.int/cobac/cblexique.html Scroll down the page and click on Guinea Equitoriale. with thanks to SolidJoe
Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority is responsible for regulation and all authorized institutions are to be found on their website: http://www.info.gov.hk/hkma/index.htm
You can also check the status of any entity in Hong Kong which solicits deposits from the public by calling its public enquiry hotline +852 2878 8222.
Hungary
Regulated by the the Hungarian FSA, the full list of authorised institutions is found here http://english.pszaf.hu/engine.aspx?page=pszafen_supinst
Iceland
Regulated by the the Icelandic FSA, the full list of authorised institutions is found here http://www.fme.is/fme-eng.nsf/form/eftirlitsskyldiradilar.html?open&market=Credit%20Market
India
Regulated by the the Reserve Bank of India, the full list of authorised institutions is found here
http://www.rbi.org.in/personalised/personalisation.asp?filename=rbiaboutuslat.html&secid=10#
Indonesia
Regulated by the the Central Bank of Indonesia, the full list of authorised institutions is found here http://www.bi.go.id/web/id/Links/daftarbank.aspx.htm 9> information provided by Sandy Beech
Ireland (Eire)
Regulated by the the Irish FSA, the full list of authorised institutions will shortly be found here http://www.ifsra.ie In the meantime, the site gives a phone number where the bona fides of any bank can be checked. NB Eire (Southern Ireland) is an independent country whereas Northern Ireland (Ulster) is part of the UK and so governed by the UK FSA see under United Kingdom.
Companies
All Eire companies have to be registered at the Companies Registration Office and whilst consulting the details of each company requires a payment, certain information such as the company name, registered address, activities, date of incorporation and accounting dates are available on line for free at this website. http://www.cro.ie/search/
information provided by Bog
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man Financial Supervision Commission is responsible for regulating Banking, Investment and other Corporate Service Providers Business on the Isle of Man. They also administer the Isle of Man Companies Registry. Genuine licensed banks are listed on their website http://www.fsc.gov.im/licence/ .
They also publish Public Warnings and Lists regarding bogus institutions of which they are aware. If your bank appears on the list of known fakes, this can be used as extra ammunition when notifying hosters.
Israel
Banks in Israel are under the control of the Bank of Israel. There is a good summary of the Israeli banking law (in English) at: http://www.bankisrael.gov.il/abeng/abeng.htm
There is also an online list of banks here http://www.bankisrael.gov.il/deptdata/pikuah/snifim/snifhane.htm 9> information provided by M_Saeed_Al_Sahhaf
Italy
The Bank of Italy website is often restricted in the mornings. The part of the site responsible for regulating banks is here www.bancaditalia.it/vigilanza_tutela/vig_ban/int_vig;internal&action=middleFrame.action
Click on the text box on top right reading "Albo delle Banche" which throws up the regions of Italy and then search by region. 9> information provided by malleus
Every legitimate Italian Bank should be a member of the Associazione Bancaria Italiana, http://www.abi.it/jhtml/home/aboutABI/englishVersion/englishVersion.jhtml), in fact the ABI code is something that shows up on every document for every financial institution here. At the moment there are 1026 members, that should cover a wide range of legal activities.
You can easily search for members here:
www.abi.it/jhtml/home/conoscereBanche/sistemaItaliano/datoQuantitativo/datoQuantitativo.jhtml
Ricerca azienda -> look for single institute Ricerca gruppo -> look for a group. If your bank doesn't show up it's not a member of the ABI and therefore cannot be considered a legitimate bank
information provided by Swamismurf
Japan
Regulated by the the Japanese FSA, the full list of authorised institutions can be downloaded in pdf format from here http://www.fsa.go.jp/indexe.html
comment by malleus The english section of the JFSA lists the main banks only. Smaller local banks and co-ops in japanese only. Theres a pdf in the japanese section.
Jersey
The Financial Services Commission is responsible for regulating banks which are listed under Regulated Entities on this website
http://www.jerseyfsc.org/ If a bank is not on it it is a fake. NB branches also have to be regulated, so if the bank purports to have a Jersey Office, it should be on the list.
aarrdvark adds "I ran across this site for the Jersey Bankers Association. http://jerseybankersassociation.com. This is a membership organisation, but the site gives useful e-mail addresses for senior bankers on the Island."
Korea (South)
The Korean Financial Supervisory Service regulates banks and Other Financial Institutions. Their website is in English and Korean and is to be found here.
http://english.fss.or.kr/en/abou/fin/finsrh_intro.jsp
Kyrgyzstan
Banks are regulated by The National Bank. The list of regulated banks is to be found here www.nbkr.kg/web/interfeis.outmenu?id=35〈=ENG
under "Banking System"
information provided by malleus
Bank Regulators for countries beginning L - Z are in next post.
