National Bank of Slovakia adopts CRD6-linked ESG and crypto-asset risk management decree and leaves countercyclical capital buffer unchanged

The National Bank of Slovakia’s Bank Board published the outcomes of its sixth meeting of 2026, approving the March 2026 Macroprudential Commentary and keeping the countercyclical capital buffer rate unchanged. It also approved two amending decrees, including new requirements for banks’ management of environmental, social and governance risks and for risk management where exposures are linked to crypto-assets, alongside changes to the rules for professional examinations in financial intermediation and financial advisory services. The banking risk-management amendment transposes part of Directive (EU) 2024/1619 (the sixth Capital Requirements Directive, CRD6) and sets out requirements covering ESG risk management as part of prudent banking, as well as risk management in cases involving exposures to crypto-assets or crypto-asset service providers, in the context of the Markets in Crypto-assets Regulation (MiCA). Separately, the amendment to the professional examinations decree allows examinations to be conducted in a language other than the state language; the Board also noted the spring 2026 Economic and Monetary Developments publication, approved notification of a EUR 10 silver collector coin commemorating Eva Siracká, and endorsed the Museum of Coins and Medals in Kremnica’s 2026–2030 development plan. Both decrees take effect on 1 May 2026. The collector coin was due to go on sale in May 2025, and a separate press release is to be published on the museum development plan.