Bolivia's Financial System Supervisory Authority issued clarifications on the application of Supreme Decree 5630 and said it has already taken the measures needed to enforce relief for financial consumers whose repayment capacity was affected by social conflicts, roadblocks and other adverse events. The update makes clear that financial intermediation entities and financial leasing companies must already receive, assess and decide voluntary borrower requests for refinancing or loan rescheduling, and that the decree does not depend on further implementing regulation. Since the decree took effect, ASFI sent circular letters on 9 June 2026 and 11 June 2026 requiring supervised firms to adapt internal processes, handle applications promptly, and strengthen disclosure, financial education and staff training so consumers receive clear and accessible guidance. The accompanying Q&A states that relief is not automatic and applies only when affected borrowers request an assessment from their lender. During the assessment period, there is an initial deferral of up to 30 calendar days from publication of the decree, extendable under each firm's internal policies, during which no installments, interest, insurance, commissions or other charges are collected and the loan keeps its original credit status. Any grace period may last from one to six months depending on the lender's assessment of repayment capacity. The pre-existing interest rate must be maintained unless a more favorable rate is agreed, access to the measures does not trigger an automatic move to a higher risk category, and the financial entity must absorb the costs of documents needed to formalize the revised terms. ASFI said lenders must publish eligibility requirements on their websites and provide the information to borrowers on request. Complaints should first be filed with the financial institution and can then be escalated to ASFI if the response does not resolve the issue or infringes the consumer's rights.

Original source Back to tracker