Bermuda Monetary Authority Report Tabled
Premier and Minister of Finance David Burt tabled the Bermuda Monetary Authority Annual Report 2021 in the House of Assembly today [May 20], with the Premier saying he wishes to “express my sincere thanks to the Board and staff of the Authority for helping to bring so much success to Bermuda. ”
The Premier’s full statement follows below:
Mr. Speaker, in accordance with section 28 of the Bermuda Monetary Authority Act 1969, I am pleased to table the Bermuda Monetary Authority Annual Report 2021 [the “Report”].
Mr. Speaker, established more than 50 years ago, the Bermuda Monetary Authority [“the Authority”] is the independent regulator of the financial services sector in Bermuda. The Authority operates pursuant to the Bermuda Monetary Authority Act, 1969 [the “Act”] which provides it with a number of principal objects, including the supervision, regulation and inspection of financial institutions operating in or from within Bermuda together with the promotion of financial stability and the soundness of financial institutions.
Mr. Speaker, the House would be aware that the Authority has specific licensing and supervisory responsibilities under the following regulatory statutes: the Banks and Deposit Companies Act 1999; the Digital Asset Business Act 2018; the Insurance Act 1978; the Investment Business Act 2003; the Investment Funds Act, 2006; the Fund Administration Provider Business Act 2019; the Trusts [Regulation of Trust Business] Act 2001, together with other statutes.
Mission
Mr. Speaker, the Authority’s mission is to protect and enhance Bermuda’s reputation and position as a leading international financial centre, utilising a team of highly skilled professionals acting in the public interest to promote financial stability, safeguard our currency and to provide effective and efficient supervision and regulation.
Mr. Speaker, the tasks the Authority must address are significant and varied, and critical to the country. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Authority works with a range of entities, supervisors, industry stakeholder groups, international standard setting bodies, as well as a number of government Ministries. The Authority works in close cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and the Financial Policy Council.
Mr. Speaker, the Authority has received international recognition of its work. The House would be aware that Bermuda is one of only seven total jurisdictions worldwide that has received the US National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ [“NAIC”] “qualified jurisdiction” status.
Additionally, Bermuda is one of three jurisdictions to have received the NAIC elevated status of reciprocal jurisdiction. Bermuda has also been granted equivalence status under the EU Solvency II Directive for its commercial insurer sectors.
Mr. Speaker, at year end 31st December 2021, the Authority was comprised of 219 full-time permanent employees as compared with 217 in 2020.
Legislation
Mr. Speaker, the Authority is authorised to act as adviser to the Minister of Finance on policy matters relating to any financial institution. Accordingly, it may propose laws where it can do so appropriately and consistently with its functions under the Act. The regulatory proposals covered during the relevant period included but were not limited to: insurance, investment business, anti- money laundering and anti-terrorism fighting, fees, and digital asset business.
Supervision and Licensing
Mr. Speaker, Members attention is drawn to the following key highlights:
- Banking Sector
Mr. Speaker, while the number of Banks remained unchanged at [4], the consolidated assets of the banking sector increased by 4.8% or $1.2 billion to $26.8 billion in 2021. This change was in line with an increase in deposit liabilities and is evidenced primarily by cash and deposit liabilities increasing by 26.3% to $5.0 billion [2020:$4.0 billion].
Mr. Speaker, investments retained the largest share of total assets at 46.1% [48%:2020], followed by loans at 32.6% [33.7%:2020], and cash and deposits at 18.8% [15.6%:2020].
Mr. Speaker, the loan to deposit ratio decreased from 87% to 81% at the end of 2021. Conversely, the industry recorded a 1.1% increase in gross loans during 2021, increasing from $8.8 billion at the end of 2020 to $8.9 billion at the end of 2021.
- Insurance sector
Mr. Speaker, 1,158 insurance companies were registered as at 31st December, 2021 as compared to 1,193 in 2020. 64 insurers registered in 2021 [67:2020].
Mr. Speaker, total capital and surplus was $350 billion in 2020 [$314bn:2019]. Gross premiums written were $295 billion in 2020 [$198bn:2019].
- Investment Sector
Mr. Speaker, there were 49 [2020: 48] licensed investment business providers operating in Bermuda in 2021. The aggregate total assets under management [AUM] was $253.2 billion compared to $232.7 billion in 2020. 73% pertains to European clients while 18% pertain to Bermuda based clients. Total assets under administration [AUA] was US$31.5 billion, compared to US$30.6 billion reported for 2020.
Mr. Speaker, there were 799 [829:2020] licensed investment funds operating in Bermuda with a net asset value of $219.60 billion [$205.81 billion: 2020] in 2021.
Mr. Speaker, there were 23 [22:2020] fund administrator licences in issue at the end of 2021 with $195.5bn assets under administration.
- Bermuda Stock Exchange
Mr. Speaker, total market capitalisation of the Bermuda Stock Exchange stood at $334 billion at the end of 2021 as compared with $255 billion at the end of 2020.
Mr. Speaker, a total of 281 [2020:253] new insurance linked securities were added to the BSX in 2021 increasing the total nominal value up to $50.8 billion [$43.01billion:2021].
Mr. Speaker, domestic trading volume totaled 3 million shares in 2021 [2020:4.9 million] and was valued at $23.4 million [$25.3 million: 2020].
Mr. Speaker, the Authority currently serves in various leadership positions at the International Association of Insurance Supervisors [the “IAIS”]. Presently, the Authority serves as a member of the IAIS Executive Committee, the Macroprudential Committee, as well as the Policy Development Committee. In April 2021, the Authority was appointed to the chair of the IAIS Financial Crime Taskforce.
In addition, the Authority maintained its active participation in and contribution to the Financial Stability Board and the Bank for International Settlements. The Authority also is a member of the Global Financial Innovation Network [“GFIN”].
Financials
Mr. Speaker, Members attention is drawn to the following highlights set out in the Statement of Accounts Report:
- Mr. Speaker, net comprehensive income was $13.3 million up from a $727 thousand in the previous year.
- Mr. Speaker, total revenue increased by 20.19% to $73.09 million, up from $60.81 million. The increase is mainly due to an $11.42 million increase in revenue from supervisory and licensing fees.
- Mr. Speaker, expenses decreased by 0.5% to $59.79 million, down from $60.09 million in 2020. The decrease was mainly due to the $1.27 million decreased amortisation of certain intangible assets.
- Mr. Speaker, licensing fees were $68,672 million at year-end as compared with $57,243 million of which $59,002 million was paid by the insurance sector.
- Mr. Speaker, Board Members are paid an annual fee of $20,000; Board Sub Committee Chairs are paid an annual fee of $25,000. The Chairman of the Board receives an annual fee of $75,000.
- Mr. Speaker, the CEOs salary is set at $500,000 [no change] and he is eligible for a performance based-bonus of up to 50% of base salary. Salaries of the other 12 members of the executive team range from $250,000 to $425,000 in 2021 with a performance bonus of up to 35% [2020-35%] of salary.
Fines
Mr. Speaker, revenue from fines, penalties and other income also grew by $1.32 million due to increased AML fines, insurance fines and late penalty fees.
General Reserve of the Authority
Mr. Speaker, in accordance with section 8 of the Act, with the agreement of the Minister of Finance, the Authority added $7.6 million of its net earnings to the general reserve of the Authority. This agreement recognized the significant ongoing investment required to maintain and enhance the strong, robust, and internationally recognized regulatory program that the Authority has developed and implemented. The remainder of the net revenue of $5.7 million dollars was repaid to the Consolidated Fund. The House is advised that the sum paid to the Consolidated Fund represents 50% of the Authority’s income [net of total fines].
Mr. Speaker, in reviewing the Authority’s performance, the Auditor General has issued a clean opinion.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my sincere thanks to the Board and staff of the Authority for helping to bring so much success to Bermuda. Their performance deserves all our appreciation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
