BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 11. The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic has imposed a temporary ban that prohibits commercial banks and payment institutions from levying any fees on individuals receiving international money transfers, provided they do not open a bank account, Trend reports via the bank.
The regulation, which was adopted on December 3, 2025, will come into effect on January 1, 2026, and will remain in force until December 31, 2026.
Under the new rule, all commissions related to the receipt of transfers sent through international money transfer systems will be prohibited for beneficiaries in Kyrgyzstan, provided they do not open a bank account. The National Bank clarified that this measure applies solely to fees charged within Kyrgyzstan, and does not affect fees imposed on senders abroad.
This decision introduces a standardized approach for all banks and payment institutions, aiming to reduce costs for households that rely on remittances.
Although the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan is the exclusive authority responsible for designating Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs), public reports and historical data frequently highlight key players in this category.
While the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan's official and up-to-date list of Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) is typically published on its website and may be subject to change, previous reports and banking sector news have consistently indicated that major banks with substantial market shares are classified as systemically important."
"One of the banks most frequently cited in this category, and confirmed in past reports by its parent company, is Optima Bank (formerly a subsidiary of Kazakhstani Jusan Bank/ATFBank)."
"Other prominent commercial banks in the country, likely classified under this category due to their size and market influence, but whose current D-SIB status would require confirmation from the National Bank’s latest resolution, include: Commercial Bank KYRGYZSTAN, Demir Kyrgyz International Bank (DKIB), Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank (KICB), Bai-Tushum Bank, and Halyk Bank Kyrgyzstan (a subsidiary of Kazakhstani Halyk Bank).