banks
Yelo Bank and Expressbank: complaint shares far exceed customer shares
Yelo Bank’s share of complaints was 3.49 times its share of the measured customer base; Expressbank’s was 2.44 times. What the September central bank index shows.
Azerbaijan's Banks Introduce Unified Limit on Gambling Transactions
Financial institutions in Azerbaijan have agreed to unify restrictions on transactions related to illegal gambling and bookmaking. Now, no more than five such transactions are allowed per card.
Iranian Banks Increase Startup Lending by 131% in Six Months
In the first half of the current Iranian year, Iranian banks issued 6.72 quadrillion rials in loans to startups, up 131% year-on-year.
CBA: Azerbaijan not yet ready for high bank concentration
Central Bank of Azerbaijan CEO Shahin Mahmudzade said the country is not ready for a high level of concentration in the banking sector, although the indicator has declined over the past four years.
CBA: New Payment System Tariffs Will Not Directly Affect Citizens
The Central Bank of Azerbaijan clarified that the approved tariffs for the Interbank Card Center apply only to banks and payment organizations, not to end users.
ABB Bank to Host International Risk Management Forum in Baku
On 16 October 2026, Baku will host the International Risk Management Forum, organized by ABB Bank with partner support from Mastercard.
Azerbaijan's Central Bank Tightens Credit Risk Assessment Rules
The Central Bank of Azerbaijan has revised its credit risk rules, amending three documents. The new requirements concern asset classification, reserves and risk management in banks.
Financial Monitoring Service Received Nearly 1,200 Suspicious Transaction Reports in 2025
In 2025, the Financial Monitoring Service received 1,197 reports of suspicious financial transactions, up 53.7% from 2024.
UK Imposes Sanctions on 38 Russian Entities and Shadow Fleet Vessels
The UK government has expanded sanctions against Russia, adding 38 individuals and entities, as well as shadow fleet vessels, to its restrictions list.
ABB Launches TamKart Max Credit Card with 12-Month Interest-Free Payments
ABB Bank has introduced the TamKart Max credit card with the TAM 12 feature, allowing cardholders to pay for purchases without interest for 12 months. ABB is the first bank in Azerbaijan to offer this option on a credit card.
Azerbaijan-Oman Fund to Acquire Stake in Azər-Türk Bank
The Azerbaijan-Oman Direct Investment Fund will become a shareholder in the state-owned Azər-Türk Bank through the purchase of new shares. The bank's charter capital will be increased via an additional share issuance.
Azerbaijan to Tighten Rules for Remote Consumer Lending from October 1
Azerbaijan's Central Bank introduces new requirements for banks and NBCOs: clients can prohibit remote loan issuance, and funds will be disbursed with a delay.
Azerbaijan-Oman Fund to Acquire Stake in Azer-Turk Bank
The Azerbaijan-Oman Direct Investment Fund will become a shareholder in the state-owned Azer-Turk Bank. The agreement was signed at the 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum in Baku.
Azerbaijan's Banking Sector Profit Rises 22.65%
In January-August 2026, the net profit of Azerbaijan's banking sector reached 949.7 million manats, up 22.65% year-on-year.
Birbank Launches Loan Campaign for Education Workers
The country's first digital bank, Birbank, has launched a special campaign for education workers. Under the campaign, which will run until 31 October 2026, they can take out a cash loan with a discount of up to 7%.
Central Bank Plans to Open Digital Ruble Accounts for Teenagers from Age 14
Digital ruble accounts are currently available to citizens aged 18 and over. The regulator is working to expand the age category to teenagers aged 14 to 18.
PASHA Bank Has No Plans to Buy Banks, Focuses on Azerbaijan-Turkey-Georgia Trade
PASHA Bank Deputy Chairman Bahruz Naghiyev said the bank has no plans to acquire local or foreign banks. Its main strategy is financing trade between Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia.
US Sanctions VTB for Circumventing Iran Sanctions
The US Treasury's OFAC added VTB to its sanctions list on September 14 for the bank's role in circumventing Iran sanctions. VTB is now among the world's most comprehensively sanctioned financial institutions.
Azerbaijan's Banking Sector Enters an Era of Consolidation and Regional Expansion
Two major deals in 2026 are reshaping Azerbaijan's banking sector: ABB enters the Uzbek market by acquiring Davr Bank, while Bank Respublika absorbs AccessBank, creating an entity with assets of around 4.5 billion manats.
Shareholders of Bank Respublika and AccessBank Approve Deal to Acquire 100% of AccessBank Shares
Shareholders of Bank Respublika and AccessBank have approved the main terms of Bank Respublika's acquisition of 100% of AccessBank's shares. The deal is expected to be completed by November 2026.
ABB Acquires 51% of Uzbekistan's Davr Bank for $140 Million
The International Bank of Azerbaijan has acquired a controlling stake in Davr Bank for about 1.65 trillion soums, valuing the entire bank at approximately $280 million.
Azerbaijani Banks and Fintechs Discuss Competition in Payment Market
The Associations of Banks and Fintech of Azerbaijan held a meeting to discuss forming a fair competitive environment between banks and payment organizations.
Azerbaijan Supreme Court: Online Loan Fraud Does Not Automatically Cancel Debt
Azerbaijan's Supreme Court clarified that fraud in obtaining an online loan is not an automatic basis for declaring the contract invalid.
Iranian Banks Increase Lending by 75% in Four Months
From March 21 to July 22, 2026, loans issued by Iranian banks grew by 75% year-on-year, reaching $19.6 billion.