2023-01-01
The Parliament of Montenegro enacted this law to mandate the conversion of all Swiss franc-denominated loans into euros at the official exchange rate on the agreement date. Commercial banks and third-party assignees are required to recalculate outstanding debts at a fixed interest rate of 8.2% per annum and provide specific documentation to facilitate the transition. The Central Bank of Montenegro supervises implementation, while strict penalties apply to institutions failing to comply with conversion, rescheduling, or suspension of enforcement obligations.
Unofficially consolidated translation LAW ON THE CONVERSION OF SWISS FRANC (CHF) -DENOMINATED LOANS INTO EURO (EUR)-DENOMINATED LOANS (OGM 46/15 of 14 August 2015, 59/16 of 15 September 2016) Introduction Article 1 This law regulates the obligation of commercial banks, third parties to which the banks ceded loan receivables (hereinafter: third parties) and loan beneficiaries with regard to the conversion of loans contracted in the foreign currency - Swiss franc (CHF). This law shall cover all loans denominated in the foreign currency - Swiss franc, extended to clients by the commercial banks, including the loans that have been unilaterally terminated by banks due to clients` inability to repay loans, as well as loan receivables ceded by banks to third parties and loans repaid during the regular repayment period or enforced collection. The basis for loan conversion shall be the amount that a client received in the bank as at the loan agreement date. Loan conversion Article 2 The commercial banks, as loan providers, shall convert, within 30 days following that of the entry into force of this Law, all Swiss francs (CHF) – denominated loans to loans denominated in the official currency in use in Montenegro – the Euro (EUR) at the official exchange rate published by the Central Bank of Montenegro as at the loan agreement date. Third parties to whom the banks ceded receivables under this law shall also make the conversion referred to in paragraph 1 above. Calculation of foreign exchange differences Article 3 After the conversion of loans into EUR, the commercial banks shall recalculate loans at the fixed interest rate of 8.2% per annum. Calculation of loans and/or receivables Article 3a After the conversion of loans into EUR, the commercial banks and/or third parties shall recalculate loans and/or receivables at fixed interest rate of 8.2% per annum. Paragraph 1 above shall be also applied to loans which have been repaid during the regular repayment period or enforced collection, i.e. third parties shall repay to the client funds exceeding the obligation stipulated under this law.
When calculating the debt based on receivables under the agreement terminated unilaterally by the commercial banks, including receivables ceded to third parties, the provisions of the Law on Default Interest Rate (OGM 83/09) shall not be applied. Treatment of receivables ceded to third parties Article 3b For determining the amount of receivables ceded to third parties based on loans to be converted pursuant to this law (hereinafter: the debt), the commercial banks that have ceded these receivables shall, within 15 business days following that of the entry into force of this law, submit for each ceded receivable to third parties the following, for the purpose of the calculation of debt and conclusion of corresponding agreement,:
Supervision over the implementation of the law Article 5 The Central Bank of Montenegro shall supervise the implementation of this Law.. The Central Bank of Montenegro shall prescribe more detailed regulations governing the supervision of banks and third parties within 30 days following that of the entry into force of this law. The Central Bank of Montenegro shall furnish the Parliament of Montenegro with a special report on the supervision of commercial banks in line with this Law. Penalty provisions Article 5a A fine ranging from 20.000.00 euros to 40.000.00 euros shall be imposed against a commercial bank or third party, if: