Serbia, Croatia savers shift from bank deposits to diversified assets

In Serbia, household bank deposits reached 2.485 trillion dinars (about €21.2 billion) by the end of April 2026, marking an 18 % year‑on‑year increase – the fastest growth since early 2025. The National Bank of Serbia stresses that deposits are only one of several options for personal savings, noting growing interest in government securities, investment funds, equities and investment‑grade gold. Georgi Hristov, director of Tavex Gold & Silver, said diversification is a core principle for preserving wealth over the long term.

In Croatia, bank deposits remain popular but inflation and low interest rates are prompting more citizens to seek alternatives. Small investors are increasingly active on the Zagreb Stock Exchange, drawn by government bonds, treasury bills, IPOs and secondary offerings such as the recent Bosqara SPO. The Ministry of Finance and Minister Tomislav Ćorić emphasize expanding the domestic capital market to reduce reliance on bank‑funded financing. Digital platforms and regulated crypto‑asset services are also gaining traction among investors.