Subject: Maintenance of Confidentiality

It has been brought to our notice that certain banks disclose the confidential information contained in the reports of examination prepared by Bank Examiners appointed by the Central Bank of Oman. Since such reports are furnished to banks for their confidential use only, it has to be emphasised that banks and any of their directors, officers or employees should not, under any circumstances, disclose the contents of the report or any portion thereof, to their customers/other interested parties, without the prior approval of the Central Bank of Oman. Moreover, the confidential nature of the reports of examination has been made explicitly clear on the cover page of the reports.

Instances have also been brought to our notice that some employees of licensed banks are attributing their inability to accede to the requests of their customers for various facilities to the rules and regulations issued by Central Bank of Oman.

Therefore, we advise all banks to desist from such practices, as they are improper.

Banks should ensure that the contents of this Circular are brought to the notice of all their employees for due compliance.