This matrix controls the structure of hierarchical subordination to the branch manager, with technical supervision by Head Office business managers, has proven to be not only efficient, but also effective in ensuring those policies and procedures.
The currency and liquidity risk is managed by a daily review of the Treasury Department, Finance Director and General Manager of the Bank’s currency and liquidity position and of their compliance with limits set by the Supervisory Board. The Currency Risk is minimised by balancing the lending in local and foreign currency with the Bank’s local and foreign currency resources. The management of Currency, Liquidity and Interest Rate risks is then reviewed on a monthly basis by the ALCO Committee and on at least a quarterly basis by the Risk Committee and Supervisory Boards.
With the increase in non-credit operations, anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing procedures become to be even more important. AccessBank has adopted detailed procedures for managing both issues, which are centred on a strict KYC (Know Your Client) policy and which serve to protect the citizens and the laws of Azerbaijan. The procedures have been prepared in accordance with FATF (Financial Action Task Force) and other international recommendations.
AccessBank’s business success is reliant on the bank’s IT systems for day-to-day operations and management information. All branches are connected online, and all business is fully integrated in a central database. This provides the management with instant up-to-date information on all activities, available at any time at their desk-top PCs, contributing to management’s control capacities and risk management. This will be further strengthened with the introduction of the Temenos T24 system, which has been vetted throughout internationally respected banks over many years.
The efficacy of the control mechanisms and Risk Management in AccessBank is a subject to the constant review by the Internal Audit Function. By 2010-end, the Audit Department numbered nine full-time staff who audited every branch and the Head Office department twice per year. The work of the department is led and supported by the Audit Committee which reports directly to both the Supervisory Board and the General Assembly of Shareholders.
The technical development of the Risk Management in the bank is also supported by business risk and audit specialists in Berlin, from LFS, at the AccessHolding level.
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