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Albania: lending & credit regulation

Regulated

Albania lending sector: BoA prudential oversight; no specific consumer credit licensing regime identified

Lead regulator:
Bank of Albania
Key law:
Bank of Albania Law (general framework); specific consumer credit act not cited in sources
Last updated:
2026-07-12

The Bank of Albania (BoA) serves as the primary regulator for the lending sector, exercising prudential supervision over licensed banks, foreign bank branches, and savings and loan associations. The provided documents indicate a focus on risk management, capital adequacy, and distressed borrower treatment rather than a distinct consumer credit licensing regime.

Regulatory activities include mandating comprehensive credit risk management frameworks, stress testing, and interbank cooperation for out-of-court resolutions. Specific regulations address capital requirements for savings and loan associations and capital equivalent deposits for foreign bank branches.

No specific capital floors for consumer credit licenses or distinct non-bank lending licenses are established in the provided source documents. The regulatory direction emphasizes financial stability and risk mitigation within the existing banking and savings union framework.

Who regulates

  • Bank of Albania

    Primary supervisor for banks, foreign bank branches, and savings and loan associations

    [1][2][3][4]

Core laws & rules

  • Regulation 105/2016 on Risk Management for Savings and Loan Associations and Their Unions (2016)

    Establishes risk management rules, capital adequacy ratios, and exposure limits for licensed savings and loan associations.

    [2]

  • Regulation 62/2011 on Credit Risk Management for Banks and Foreign Bank Branches (2011)

    Mandates credit risk management frameworks and stress testing for domestic banks and foreign branches.

    [3]

  • Regulation 57/2007 on Risk Management of Foreign Bank Branches (2007)

    Requires capital equivalent deposits and parent bank guarantees for foreign bank branches.

    [4]

  • Regulation on Out-of-Court Treatment of Distressed Borrowers (2019)

    Establishes a structured out-of-court framework for licensed banks to resolve distressed borrowers, including a 90-day moratorium on unilateral legal actions.

    [1]

Licensing & registration

  • Banking and Savings/Loan Associations

    Licensing is implied for banks and savings and loan associations subject to BoA prudential regulations. No specific consumer credit license category is detailed in the sources.

    [2][3]

Restrictions & warnings

  • Foreign bank branches must maintain a Capital Equivalent Deposit and secure parent bank guarantees.

    [4]

  • Licensed banks must adhere to interbank cooperation agreements and a 90-day moratorium on unilateral legal actions when treating distressed borrowers.

    [1]

Direction of travel

  • Regulatory focus remains on prudential stability, risk management, and structured resolution of distressed debt within the banking and savings union sectors.

    [1][2]

Sources

  1. Bank of Albania Regulation on Out-of-Court Treatment of Distressed Borrowers by Banks · 2019-07-03
  2. Regulation 105/2016 on Risk Management for Savings and Loan Associations and Their Unions · 2016-10-05
  3. Bank of Albania Regulation 62/2011 on Credit Risk Management for Banks and Foreign Bank Branches · 2011-09-14
  4. Regulation 57/2007 on Risk Management of Foreign Bank Branches · 2007-10-15

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This guide is compiled automatically from 4 primary-source documents published by Albania's regulators, reviewed by RegAlert, and refreshed monthly (last updated 2026-07-12). It is not legal advice — always confirm requirements with the regulator or local counsel before acting.