Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Bulawayo Regional Office’s core deliverables are as follows: -

1. currency or liquidity provision and distribution in the Region (covering Matabeleland North and South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, part of the Midlands and Masvingo Provinces) by receiving cash from Bank Branches with surplus and paying those with low deposits;
2. provision of Retail and Wholesale banking services to financial institutions operating in the Region, including participation in the Regional Office Clearing House and accepting cheque deposits;
3. provision of an effective link for Regional Office stakeholders to access specialist Central Bank activities offered at Head Office;
4. enhancing institutional stability at Regional Office level through maintenance of good staff-management relations; and
5. upholding positive corporate image of the Bank since the Regional Office acts as an effective relations representative or ambassador of the Reserve Bank in the Region.

Bulawayo Regional Office executes its mandate through six Departments, viz., Banking Operations; Finance and Procurement; Technical Services; Security Services; Human Resources and, Information and Communication Technology. Three Divisional Units, namely, National Payment Systems, Exchange Control Inspectorate and Bank Supervision operate at the Regional Office and have been incorporated onto its structure. These came about after the new Bank-wide structural changes in line with the new strategy and legal requirement for the Bank to refocus on its core business and hence ‘back to basics’ philosophy.

Banking Operations Department
The Department provides retail banking services to Government departments based in the Region. It also offers wholesale banking services to financial institutions, including banks, the POSB and building societies operating in the Region. In addition, it provides safe custody of local bank branches’ cash holdings and regional customers’ items. The Regional Office takes part in the cheque clearing system run by the Regional Office Clearing House. Further, the Department authenticates bank cash issues and deposit documents and ZETTS transfer requests.

Finance and Procurement Department

The Department’s core effectiveness area is to carry out operation costs effectively whilst maintaining a public image consistent with the Bank’s culture and core values. The core function of the Department is to ensure effective support function on service delivery and timeous informative financial management reports. It also procures goods and services, sourced locally or out-of-town, for the Regional Office. The Department is also responsible for production of the Regional Office’s Annual Budget. In addition, the Department is mandated with effecting payments and maintaining financial records.

Technical Services Department

The Department is mandated with the upkeep and maintenance of the Regional Office building. Sophisticated equipment and machinery, which includes the chiller plant, UPS units, air-handling units and two industrial heavy-duty generators, is partially maintained by the Department. The Department also installs, maintains, repairs and refurbish plant and equipment. It also maintains the Regional Office’s Asset Register.

Security Services Department

The Department is responsible for protecting the Regional Office’s material assets and ensuring that staff members and customers operate in a secure and safe environment, controlling and monitoring human traffic in and around the Bank. This is done through risk evaluation, review and control, intelligence gathering and surveillance, information protection, management information, employee vetting and background checks, escort and safe transfer of valuables, guard duties and searches, internal investigations, internal crime prevention and protection as well as key and disaster management.

 Human Resources Department

 Staff development and training is the function for Human Resources Department at the Regional Office. The Department administers loans, payroll and staff benefits by preparing overtime and salary schedules, loans, scholarships, allowances and other staff benefits so as to ensure timeous and accurate payments. It also processes leave and staff records as well as being responsible for staff recruitment and selection. Labour relations, i.e. management of discipline and health management are other functions undertaken by the Department. A Health Officer runs the Bulawayo Regional Office Health Centre.

 Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Department

The Department is responsible for hardware and software maintenance by providing an enabling environment for smooth operation of all ICT application systems run by the Bank. These systems include Globus T24, e-Financials, Cfacs, Smart HRMS and Loans, among others. Furthermore, the Department conducts User training, network and systems administration and maintenance and information security and anti-virus protection. The Department is also responsible for ICT Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery as well as for systems network maintenance. Further, it also maintains and updates an ICT Asset Register.

 National Payment Systems Divisional Unit

The Divisional Unit facilitates operation of Bulawayo Regional Office’s Cheque Clearing House System which feeds into the main system at Head Office. The Unit is responsible for administration of ZETTS and RTGS, which involves final and irrevocable settlement of all transactions sent through RTGS to reduce risks associated with cheque payments. The systems involve intra-bank settlements, clearances and transfers through electronic data transfer. The Unit timeously intervenes in queries relating to ZETTS and other payment streams. In its oversight function, the Unit assesses and enforces rules or principles for a smooth and efficient functional payment system. This is done through analysis of trends from respective participating bank branches’ reports, offsite and onsite inspections.

Exchange Control Inspectorate Divisional Unit
The Divisional Unit is responsible for ensuring compliance with Exchange Control regulations by banks, exporters, importers, transporters, tourism operators and other members of the public in the Region. In addition, the Unit carries out routine (full-scope) and ad hoc (targeted) inspections to monitor compliance to Exchange Control Rules and Regulations by these entities. Furthermore, the Unit facilitates in licensing of Authorised Dealers with Limited Authority (ADLAs) through advisory services to interested members as well as carrying out pre-opening inspections and general monitoring of their operations. The Unit also conducts inspections on gold millers and elution plants, conducts investigations on delinquent exporters and importers, facilitates workshops and exhibits at Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Annual Expo. Above all, the Unit handles enquiries related to Exchange Control from members of the public in the Region.

• Bank Supervision Divisional Unit

In line with the inclusive economic development thrust and ensuring that Bank Supervision activities are spread throughout the southern parts of the country, is the Divisional Unit’s major focus. Key expectations include financial inclusion monitoring, handling queries, complaints and enquiries on the Credit Registry system and on banking sector related matters, assisting in financial stability assessments upon request from Head Office, as well as handling queries, complaints and enquiries from microfinance institutions (MFIs).

Download reporting templates below

Credit Bureau Report Template (933 KB, docx)

Credit Registry Data Template (96 KB, xlsx)