Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina advances SEPA access and ECB cooperation

SEPA Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina European Payments Council Central Bank of Montenegro macroprudential measures

The Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CB BiH) has reached a significant milestone in its application to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). The European Payments Council (EPC) confirmed that the country has met several key criteria, though it has requested additional documentation and technical clarifications to proceed with the application.

In a separate development, the CB BiH and the European Central Bank (ECB) signed a cooperation agreement aimed at preventing the counterfeiting of euro banknotes. This framework establishes a system for exchanging technical data and information regarding counterfeit currency to enhance financial security within the country.

Separately, the Central Bank of Montenegro (CBCG) has adopted new macroprudential measures to ensure financial stability. Starting January 1, 2027, monthly debt obligations for non-residential consumer loans will be capped at 45 percent of income, while residential loans will be capped at 50 percent. The new rules also set maximum repayment terms of 10 years for consumer loans and 30 years for mortgages.