CBSI and IFC signs credit reporting agreement

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) has signed an agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), to improve credit reporting in the country.

This agreement will ensure an improvement in access to finance for people’s micro, small, and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs).

CBSI is the first central bank in the region to sign an agreement with IFC to strengthen its credit reporting legal framework.

The agreement is part of a regional effort by IFC, working with banks, financial institutions, credit bureaus and central banks in Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu to guide them through the process of moving to a comprehensive credit reporting (CCR), which will require regulatory, technical and process changes.

The framework will enable the central bank to supervise the Solomon Islands Credit Bureau and will strengthen the legal standing of the bureau.

Solomon Islands Central Bank Governor, Dr Luke Forau said, “It is important that financial institutions remain robust and make informed decisions especially at a time when we are facing a crisis brought on by COVID-19,”

He added, “Shifting to Comprehensive Credit Reporting will complete the nation’s credit infrastructure, which currently only includes reporting on negative credit behaviour and relies on codes of conduct, which have no legal force.”

A statement from IFC said, key benefit of enshrining comprehensive reporting into the legal framework is that regulated financial institutions will be mandated to participate in a phased approach, ensuring widespread uptake and stronger credit data.

It further stated, both lenders and borrowers will benefit from comprehensive credit reporting as it incorporates positive (payment histories) and negative (defaults) data elements, as well other publicly available data. While financial institutions will save on costs spent on reviewing loan applicants, the availability of data will potentially decrease the credit gap for individuals and MSMEs.

IFC Country Manager for Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands, Thomas J. Jacobs said, “This is an important development for the financial sector in Solomon Islands and the region as comprehensive credit reporting is vital to unlock credit for individuals and micro, small, and medium enterprises, increasing access to finance. Comprehensive Credit Reporting allows borrowers to bring their data to different lenders, increasing competition in the financial sector.”

The project will also look to integrate best credit bureau practices in response to COVID-19, to protect the credit reputation of borrowers impacted by the pandemic.

IFC Financial Sector Specialist, Philippa Roberts said. “Crises like COVID-19 can impact performing borrowers’ ability to meet their scheduled payments, relegating them to the same level as existing non-performing borrowers. Since these delays are not a result of the borrower’s choice, they should not be disadvantaged in their credit records.”

IFC is a member of the World Bank Group.