Chișinău hosted the 38th annual conference of the members of the Group of Banking Supervisors from Central and South-Eastern Europe (BSCEE). The forum brought together deputy governors, heads of departments and leading experts from the central banks of the 24 BSCEE member states, alongside senior officials from international and European financial institutions. This year’s discussions focused on the harmonisation of supervisory standards, the management of emerging risks, the digitalisation of the financial sector, and resilience in the face of current geopolitical challenges. The organisation of this forum in Chișinău comes as the National Bank of Moldova (NBM) holds the chairmanship of the BSCEE group, assumed on 16 December 2025 under the leadership of the National Bank’s Deputy Governor, Mr Constantin Șchendra.

A major component of the discussions concerned the digitalisation of supervision through advanced technologies and artificial intelligence. Participants examined how central banks can use these tools to process vast volumes of data in real time and identify risks before they affect the market. At the same time, discussions also addressed the need to regulate the use of algorithms by commercial banks in automated lending processes.

The subject of current geopolitical developments was also addressed, highlighting the need to strengthen anti-money laundering mechanisms and ensure strict monitoring of compliance with international sanctions. Representatives of the 24 states agreed to intensify the cross-border exchange of financial information, thereby establishing a solid barrier against suspicious capital flows and safeguarding the integrity of the entire banking system in Central and South-Eastern Europe.

In her welcoming address, the Governor of the National Bank of Moldova, Ms Anca Dragu, stated that the banking sector in the Republic of Moldova is stable, well-capitalised and well-governed, reflecting the successful implementation of the latest international Basel standards. At the same time, the National Bank is promoting the alignment of the Republic of Moldova with European practices.

“For the National Bank of Moldova, it is an honour to host the 38th Conference of Banking Supervisors from Central and Eastern Europe at a time when we hold the chairmanship of this important regional forum. This reflects our active role in strengthening cooperation among banking supervisory authorities and in bringing the Republic of Moldova closer to the European financial supervisory architecture. Our responsibility is to protect financial stability today and to prepare the banking sector for the challenges of tomorrow — more complex, more digital and more interconnected than ever before,” the Governor stated.

This year’s edition focused on adapting supervisory mechanisms to the accelerated digital transformation of the financial sector. The event agenda is structured around two days of intensive working sessions during which the BSCEE Annual Report will be presented. In addition to the debates, the conference in Chișinău will address important aspects concerning the internal governance of the BSCEE group. Members will discuss the network’s development priorities and proposed amendments to the “Agreement on the Rules for the Organisation and Management of the Group”, with an emphasis on strengthening provisions relating to confidentiality and the secure exchange of specialist information among member states.

The acting Chairman of the BSCEE, NBM Deputy Governor Mr Constantin Șchendra, underlined the importance of solidarity and the exchange of best practices among regulatory authorities: “Hosting this forum in Chișinău represents a reaffirmation of the Republic of Moldova’s commitment to aligning itself with the highest European and international standards in the field of banking supervision. In an interconnected financial world, stability cannot be achieved in isolation. The NBM’s mandate at the BSCEE chair focuses on strengthening cooperation among member states and implementing rapid response mechanisms to systemic risks. We are proud to guide these joint efforts towards a safer and more resilient regional banking sector.”

Representatives of European financial institutions welcomed the progress achieved by our country in reforming the financial sector and praised the active role played by the NBM within the group. The conference concluded with the establishment of joint lines of action for the coming period, prioritising the digitalisation of supervisory processes (SupTech) and the adaptation of the regulatory framework to the new realities of the global financial market.

Founded in 1991, the Group of Banking Supervisors from Central and South-Eastern Europe (BSCEE) brings together banking supervisory authorities from 24 countries. The group’s main objective is to promote cooperation and the exchange of experience among its members, directly contributing to regional financial stability and the convergence of supervisory practices with international standards.