August 2020 issue.

In March 2020, the monetary base increased by MDL 996.6 million (2.1%) compared to the previous month and constituted MDL 47,897.6 million, which constitutes 12.1 % more than in March 2019.

In March 2020, new loans extended by banks totalled MDL 2,624.8 million, a decrease of 8.2%, compared to March 2019.

The National Bank of Moldova transmitted to the Parliament and published the Report on the legality of granting, in 2014-2015, emergency loans, provided with state guarantees, for „Banca de Economii" S.A., B.C. „UNIBANK" S.A. and B.C. „BANCA SOCIALĂ” S.A., as well the method of distribution and use of these financial means.

The National Bank of Moldova comes with this urge for card holders in the context of intensification, in the last days, of the attempts at manipulation to disclose confidential information that allows unauthorized access to their payment cards.

The Executive Board of the National Bank of Moldova approved unanimously, in an extraordinary meeting, a decision by which recommends the licensed banks to refrain from distributing dividends to shareholders and other forms of capital distribution, at least until 30 September 2020. 

The Executive Board of the National Bank of Moldova (NBM) approved unanimously, at today’s extraordinary meeting, the amendment to p.3 of the Decision of 20 March 2020 on the NBM interest rates level and required reserves ratio.

The size and design elements of the upgraded banknote with the denomination of MDL 50, specimen of 2020 issue, are identical with those of the banknote with the denomination of MDL 50, specimen of 2015.

The size and design elements of the upgraded banknote with the denomination of MDL 100, specimen of 2020 issue, are identical with those of the banknote with the denomination of MDL 100, specimen of 2015.

The size and design elements of the upgraded banknote with the denomination of MDL 200, specimen of 2020 issue, are identical with those of the banknote with the denomination of MDL 200, specimen of 2015.

The size and design elements of the upgraded banknote with the denomination of MDL 500, specimen of 2020 issue, are identical with those of the banknote with the denomination of MDL 500, specimen of 2015.

According to preliminary data, in 2019, the current account of the balance of payments recorded a deficit of US$ 1 159,30 million, the capital account registered a negative balance amounting to US$ 52,08 million, and the financial account recorded a net capital inflow of US$ 1 205,94 million. The international investment position amounted to US$ -5 084,65 million at the end of 2019, while the gross external debt totaled US$ 7 545,57 million.

According to preliminary data, in 2019, the current account of the balance of payments recorded a deficit of US$ 1 159,30 million, the capital account registered a negative balance amounting to US$ 52,08 million, and the financial account recorded a net capital inflow of US$ 1 205,94 million.

According to preliminary data, the international investment position of the Republic of Moldova recorded a net debit of US$ 5 084,65 million as of 31.12.2019, which was 21,1% larger as compared to the end of 2018.

According to preliminary data, the gross external debt of the Republic of Moldova grew by 1,1% as compared to the end of 2018 and totaled US$ 7 545,57 million at the end of 2019. The external debt to GDP ratio was 63,1% (-2,1 p.p. as against the end of 2018).

The decision refers to the legal entities whose financial situation is temporarily affected due to the state of emergency and the economic consequences generated by COVID-19.

In February 2020, the total amount of net money transfers from abroad made in favour of individuals via licensed banks of the Republic of Moldova amounted to US$ 94.64 million (increasing by 7.0% as against February 2019).

National Bank will continue to use all available instruments to meet the objectives of price stability and to strengthen the banking sector that is well-capitalized and resilient.

In February 2020, new loans extended by banks totalled MDL 2,375.3 million, a decrease of 5.3%, compared to February 2019.

The regulation comes to complement the set of acts necessary for the implementation of the new banking law, in the context of the legislation harmonization with the European standards and international instruments 

The regulation on the outsourcing of the bank's activities and operations comes to improve the banks' activity in terms of prudence and meets the European standards in this regard.