Includes special features of this country’s banking system and rules/laws that might impact U.S. business.
Last Published: 4/11/2019

Malawi has a generally sound banking sector, overseen and regulated by the Reserve Bank of Malawi -- the central bank.  There are ten full-service commercial banks.  The two largest banks -- National Bank of Malawi and Standard Bank -- collectively command 51% of all banking deposits.  In December 2017, Malawi’s banks’ total aggregate assets reached MWK 1.572 Trillion ($2.15 billion).

Malawi neither has nor requires depositor insurance, but the RBM enforces safeguards and capital requirements.  The RBM has guidelines on capital adequacy, liquidity ratio, etc., and adopted Basel II standards in January 2014.  International accounting standards adopted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi (ICAM) apply to banks.  Bank financial statements are in compliance with these standards, and are audited by internationally recognized firms including AMG Global, Ernst & Young, and Deloitte.

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