Mozambique central bank fines Standard Bank R66.18m

The central bank of Mozambique has fined Africa‘s biggest lender, Standard Bank, $4.6 million (R66.18 million) for engaging in fraudulent activities, Bank of Mozambique said on Monday.

The central bank also fined two of Standard Bank’s employees around $223 000 and $101 000 each, and barred the bank from engaging in some exchange-related activities for a year, it said in a statement.

Standard Bank, which is based in South Africa, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The central bank said following on-site inspections “infringement proceedings were brought against that bank (Standard Bank) and two of its managers … for serious breaches of a prudential and exchange rate nature.”

It alleged the bank and the two employees were involved in fraudulent manipulation of the exchange rate, implementing an illegal payments network based outside the country, and carrying out irregular operations of financial derivatives, among other offences.