Bank of Uganda takes over Crane Bank
Police officers enter Crane Bank main branch in Kampala to beef-up security shortly after Governor Emmanuel Mutebile announced that BoU had taken over management of the bank. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa
What you need to know:
- Crane Bank has been on the BOU watch list since September 2015 after regular onsite tests and external audit report.
- Crane Bank capital had fallen below the 50 per cent legal requirement under the law.
Bank of Uganda has taken over management of Crane Bank and suspended all members of the board.
According to Bank of Uganda governor Emmanuel Mutebile, Crane Bank is under-capitalised and poses systemic risk to the banking sector. However, Mr Mutebile noted that the bank remains open to customers under the management of Bank of Uganda.
“Crane Bank has been on the BOU watch list since September 2015 after regular onsite tests and external audit report. Crane Bank capital had fallen below the 50 per cent legal requirement under the law,” he added.
According to him, Crane Bank is the third largest bank in Uganda.
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According to the Crane Bank Annual report for 2015, Mr. Ruparelia has a controlling interest (in terms of voting) of 48.67 percent in the bank by virtue of shares held directly and by close members of his family.
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Mr Ruparelia stressed that the decision to divest the bank is a normal business transaction and they cannot at the moment disclose further details of the transaction until the deal is sealed.
Mr Mutebile further noted that BOU is to conduct an audit on Crane Bank to determine whether the high non-performing loans (NPLs) and bad debts contributed to the capital erosion.
Police patrol Crane Bank head office on Kampala road. Police deployed at various branches. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa
In a letter addressed to Crane Bank’s Ag. managing director, Mr PK Gupta and dated October 20 stated: “This is to inform you that Bank of Uganda has, with effect from today 20th 2016, pursuant to Sections 87 (3), 88 (1)(a) & (b) of the Financial Institutions Act 2004, taken over management of Crane Bank Ltd. You are accordingly suspended from your position as Acting Managing Director and you are required to make a formal handover of your responsibilities to the Bank of Uganda Statutory Manager, Mr Edward Katimbo Mugwanya,” read part of the statement signed by Mutebile.
Mr Mutebile further said: “You shall, nonetheless, continue to serve Crane Bank Ltd as a principal support of the Statutory Manager.”
