ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) on Thursday issued a procedural guide on formation and licensing of Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs).

The move aims to facilitate the prospective investors of non-banking finance sector as part of its objective to promote ease of doing business.

Available on the SECP’s website, the guidebook provides comprehensive information on the procedure for formation, incorporation and licensing of the NBFCs, applicable fees, important pre-requisites, reference to the relevant legal provisions, forms and formats.

The guide covers applicable requirements for formation and licensing of Fund Management NBFCs as well as Lending NBFCs. Fund Management NBFCs provide services including Asset Management, Investment Advisory, REIT Management, Private Equity & Venture Capital management and Pension Fund Schemes. Lending NBFCs provide services including Investment Finance Services, Discounting, Housing Finance, Microfinance and Leasing.

By consolidating all the applicable requirements at one place, the guidebook would make it easier for the prospective investors to understand and comply with the applicable regulatory regime.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2021