The National Bank of Moldova (BNM) issued a unified responsible lending regulation for banks and non-bank credit organisations, aimed at protecting individuals from over-indebtedness by ensuring borrowers can accommodate instalments within their monthly budgets. The rules apply including to interest-free loans and align previously differing approaches between banks and non-bank lenders so consumers receive the same protections regardless of the creditor. The regulation is positioned as preventing debt accumulation beyond a person’s financial balance without restricting access to credit, with BNM analysis indicating that more than 95% of employed individuals can continue to access zero-interest loans used in instalment sales. It also retains exceptions intended to support fair access for people without official income or with irregular earnings by allowing additional sources of receipts, such as remittances, to be taken into account. The regulation will enter into force three months after publication in the Official Monitor.
National Bank of Moldova 2026-03-19
National Bank of Moldova sets uniform responsible lending rules for banks and non-bank lenders to curb over-indebtedness
The National Bank of Moldova issued a unified responsible lending regulation for banks and non-bank credit organisations to protect individuals from over-indebtedness. The regulation aligns approaches between banks and non-bank lenders, ensuring consistent consumer protections and allowing additional income sources like remittances to be considered. BNM analysis shows over 95% of employed individuals can still access zero-interest loans for instalment sales.