Banks’s enforcement powers for  As a priority, we expect to strengthen the regulatory framework pertaining to all financial institutions, including licensed banks, licensed finance  violations of the Act and the Directions issued under it. In this regard, we wish to seek views from the banking sector as well. companies (LFCs), specialised leasing  In line with these reforms, we intend to  companies (SLCs) and primary dealers. It  review all key regulations in the medium-  will further ensure the stability of the  term. In this regard, we will review key  financial sector by promoting the safety  Banking Act Directions, such as share  and soundness of those institutions to  ownership, foreign borrowings, and  face unforeseen challenges in the  corporate governance, and these will be  growing business environment. amended where necessary. In this regard, the Central Bank wishes to  In order to maintain financial stability in  implement the following policies in 2017  the country and in line with regulatory  and beyond. reforms, we have identified the need for  Since the last amendment to the existing Banking Act in 2006, the banking sector landscape has undergone a significant  Central Bank of Sri Lanka – ROAD MAP 2017  further strengthening of the supervisory function of the Central Bank.
Michael C Bonello: Financing the small business sector – constraints and opportunities Speech by Mr Michael C Bonello, Governor of the Central Bank of Malta, at the European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks and Financiers Seminar, St.Julian's, 15 April 2010. *  *  *  The holding of a seminar on credit for small businesses is both appropriate and timely given the important role played by these enterprises in modern, free-market economies and the contribution they are likely to make in the recovery phase as economies emerge from recession. It is perhaps not widely known that of the almost 20 million enterprises active within the European Union (EU) in 2005, 99.8% were small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), defined as businesses that employ fewer than 250 persons. 1 In turn, more than nine-tenths of these were micro enterprises, with a workforce of fewer than 10. In 2005 SMEs accounted for 58% of the value added generated in the EU and 67% of all employment, compared to 55% in the US. 2 Small businesses are a major source of dynamism in the Maltese economy too. SMEs constitute the overwhelming majority of businesses, accounting for over 99% of the total and two-thirds of total employment. The vast majority are micro enterprises. These small operations act as customers of, and suppliers to, larger companies and are an essential source of entrepreneurship and innovation.