National Bank of Moldova updates liquidation of Banca de Economii, Banca Socială and Unibank with MDL 2,989.3m recovered and MDL 11,253.8m emergency loans outstanding

The National Bank of Moldova published a progress update on the liquidation of Banca de Economii S.A., BC “BANCA SOCIALĂ” S.A. and B.C. “UNIBANK” S.A., covering asset realisation, cash recoveries and the servicing of state-guaranteed emergency loans granted before the banks’ licences were withdrawn on 16 October 2015. From licence withdrawal to 31 March 2025, liquidators collected MDL 2,989.3m in total, including MDL 7.3m in the first quarter of 2025. In the first quarter of 2025, receipts were concentrated at Banca de Economii (MDL 6.9m), with smaller inflows at Banca Socială (MDL 0.4m) and Unibank (MDL 0.03m); no receipts were recorded from loan principal repayments in the quarter. Emergency loans provided by the National Bank of Moldova between November 2014 and October 2015 totalled MDL 14,121.8m; cumulative repayments to the central bank (to 3 October 2016) and then to the Ministry of Finance (from 4 October 2016, following subrogation) reached MDL 2,868.0m, leaving MDL 11,253.8m outstanding. Available cash and subsequent recoveries are used to cover liquidation expenses and to meet claims related to the emergency loans. Recovery activity reported as of 31 March 2025 included 35 court actions where the banks act as claimant (MDL 3,804.0m), 110 debtors in insolvency (validated claims MDL 1,991.1m) and 356 enforcement writs under execution (MDL 6,978.0m); the banks also reported 63 criminal cases, noting these totals may overlap across banks. During the first quarter of 2025, six asset sale auctions were announced and one was held, resulting in one asset sold for MDL 200,000, and the banks continue to publish monthly information on recoveries, auctions and payments related to the emergency loans.