Our Regulatory Frameworks
This page is an overview of the legislation that provides us with our responsibilities and powers.
The National Reserve Bank of Tonga Act sets out our purpose, objectives and functions as the central bank of Tonga.
National Reserve Bank of Tonga
Act
National Reserve Bank of Tonga Regulations 1989
National Reserve Bank of Tonga (Currency) Regulations 1989
Banking Licenses Requirements
Prudential Statement No. 12 is issued in terms of Section 15(3) of the Financial Institutions Act. It outlines the minimum license application requirements that applicants must submit to the National Reserve Bank of Tonga as part of their proposal to set up a bank or a credit institution in Tonga.
Foreign Exchange Control
Act
Foreign Exchange Control
Regulations
Foreign Exchange Control (Restriction on Removal of Cash) Regulations
Exchange Control Directive
Exchange Control covers the regulation of foreign exchange transactions between Tonga and the rest of the world including dealings in gold or foreign exchange or foreign securities. This is to support the maintenance of the Kingdom’s Foreign Reserves, and matters connected therewith.
Banking Act
Microfinance Institutions Act
Moneylenders Act
Prudential Statements
The Prudential Statements set out the minimum standards which banks should adopt for managing of risks. The Prudential Statements are also intended to provide banks and other interested parties with an understanding of the Reserve Bank’s banking supervision framework. In its approach to the supervision of banks, the Reserve Bank takes the view that it is the prime responsibility of each bank’s board and management to establish policies and procedures to prudently manage the bank’s business. The board and management are responsible for assessing the risks in the activities the bank undertakes and continually monitoring and controlling those risks.
Counter Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime Act
Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act 2025
Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Regulations
The National Reserve Bank of Tonga (Reserve Bank) was established on 1 July 1989 as the central bank of Tonga.