In remarks published from the annual assembly of the Association of Serbian Banks, the National Bank of Serbia said Serbia's macroeconomic backdrop and banking system remain stable and used the speech to set out current regulatory priorities. It said inflation is within target, the dinar has maintained relative stability against the euro, foreign exchange reserves reached a record EUR 29.9 billion at end-May, and the banking sector remains well capitalized, liquid and profitable. The central bank also highlighted Serbia's operational entry into the SEPA credit transfer scheme. Systemwide capital adequacy is close to 20%, the liquidity coverage ratio is close to 160%, and the net stable funding ratio stands at 164%. Dinar savings reached RSD 225 billion, up more than 10% so far this year, while foreign currency savings stood at EUR 16.9 billion, up 4.5%. In May, the first month of SEPA use, about 40% of all relevant cross-border euro transactions were processed through SEPA channels, covering more than 350,000 payments, and 18 of the 19 banks operating in Serbia joined the SEPA Credit Transfer scheme. The National Bank of Serbia also pointed to nearly 6,700 subsidized youth housing loans worth more than EUR 500 million approved by end-April, more than 395,000 loans worth over RSD 320 billion extended on better terms to lower-income citizens by end-May 2026, and its view that there are no formal legal obstacles to mortgage lending for properties registered under the Svoj na svome program. On regulation, the National Bank of Serbia said last year's financial services consumer protection law increased transparency and introduced interest rate caps, which it said helped slow the shift toward variable-rate housing loans compared with pre-2023 levels even though the share of newly approved mortgages with variable or combined rates rose to 69% in April from 66%. Amendments to the Law on Banks strengthened supervisory and bank resolution tools, first contributions to the Resolution Fund were received in early June, and the bylaw framework was updated on liquidity risk, interest rate risk, capital adequacy, asset classification, disclosures, governance functions and internal controls. Further alignment with European Union rules is planned through additional legislation later this year.
National Bank of Serbia2026-06-18
National Bank of Serbia highlights bank resilience and says 40% of relevant euro cross border payments moved through SEPA in May
In published remarks to the Association of Serbian Banks, the National Bank of Serbia said inflation remains within target, foreign exchange reserves reached a record EUR 29.9 billion at end-May, and banks remain strongly capitalized and liquid. It also reported early SEPA uptake, with about 40% of relevant cross-border euro payments processed through SEPA in May and 18 of 19 banks in the market participating. The central bank further highlighted interest rate caps under last year's consumer protection law and the start of contributions to the Resolution Fund in early June.