Housing Bank of Rwanda (HBR), also known as Rwanda Housing Bank, is a commercial bank in Rwanda. Its name in French is Banque de l'Habitat du Rwanda SA (BHR). The bank is one of the commercial banks licensed by the National Bank of Rwanda, the national banking regulator. History The bank was opened in 1975, as a housing finance institution as well as a real estate developer. HBR was registered as a limited liability company. On 2nd July 2004, the National Bank of Rwanda, the country's Central Bank, granted HBR a Provisional License to operate as a Housing Bank. The license was contingent upon the institution raising its share capital to the minimum of US$2.65 million dollars, to comply with then current banking laws in Rwanda. On 25th February 2005, the shareholders of Banque de l'Habiatat du Rwanda (BHR), held an Extra Ordinary General Meeting and decided to increase their share capital to the required minimum, to change their name to Housing Bank of Rwanda and to change their mission from a mortgage company/real estate developer to a Commercial Bank that specializes in Housing Finance.