The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan released consumer guidance on what to do when a borrower cannot make loan repayments on time, positioning loan restructuring as a practical way to ease the financial burden by changing loan terms and urging borrowers to approach their bank early to reduce the risk of penalties, credit history deterioration, and court-based recovery. The guidance sets out that banks can consider restructuring requests where repayment difficulties arise from objective causes such as reduced income or unemployment, serious illness or disability, maternity leave, military conscription, or force majeure events (for example fire or theft). Borrowers are advised to submit a restructuring application within 30 days after the payment becomes overdue, explain the cause of hardship, and provide supporting documents; banks are described as reviewing applications within 15 calendar days and proposing solutions such as extending the loan term, reducing the interest rate (noted as potentially applicable if the National Bank reduces its base rate), granting payment deferrals while interest continues to accrue, partially waiving penalties and late fees, or changing the repayment order to prioritise principal. If a bank refuses restructuring, the guidance points to escalation to the bank ombudsman, obtaining legal advice, or considering refinancing on more favourable terms.

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