finance
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.
IMF Provides Recommendations to Azerbaijan's Central Bank on Strategic Planning
An IMF technical assistance mission visited the Central Bank of Azerbaijan and presented recommendations on strategic planning and risk management. The results were discussed at a meeting with the regulator's leadership.
Startup finance in Azerbaijan: why perceptions and deals tell different stories
Azerbaijan ranks 11th on an expert assessment of startup finance but 111th for venture deals relative to GDP in GII 2026. Different instruments, periods and geographic definitions explain why the measures cannot be read as equivalents.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Exchange Reserves Reach $89.4 Billion
Azerbaijan's strategic foreign exchange reserves as of October 1, 2026, amounted to $89 billion 380.7 million, up 9.7% year-on-year. In September, reserves decreased by $1 billion 389 million.
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.
Azerbaijan's Banking Sector Assets Up 12.2% Year-on-Year
As of September 1, the assets of Azerbaijan's banking sector reached 62.476 billion manats, up 12.2% year-on-year. The CBA reported on reforms to strengthen the financial system.
Azerbaijan's Central Bank Foreign Exchange Reserves Reach $15.36 Billion
As of October 1, 2026, the Central Bank of Azerbaijan's foreign exchange reserves stood at $15 billion 363.4 million, up 0.4% month-on-month.
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.
Azerbaijan's Mortgage and Credit Guarantee Fund cuts lending by 13.7%
In January–August 2024, Azerbaijan's Mortgage and Credit Guarantee Fund issued 262.9 million manats in loans, down 13.7% year-on-year. Refinanced loan volumes also declined.
EBRD: Project Portfolio in Azerbaijan Reaches €888 Million
The EBRD's portfolio in Azerbaijan at the end of July 2026 stood at €888 million, covering 35 projects. Since starting operations, the bank has invested €3.728 billion in the country's economy.
China's Central Bank: Yuan Loans Grew by 10.44 Trillion Yuan in Eight Months
The People's Bank of China reported that yuan lending rose by 10.44 trillion yuan in January–August 2026. The regulator intends to maintain a moderately loose policy in the second half of the year.
Azerbaijan's Mortgage Lending Drops by 3.8%
In January-July 2024, the volume of mortgage loans issued through the Mortgage and Credit Guarantee Fund (MCGF) amounted to 237.8 million manats, down 3.8% year-on-year.
Azerbaijan Banks' Deposit Portfolio Grows to AZN 44.5 Billion
According to the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, the deposit portfolio of Azerbaijani banks stood at AZN 44.5 billion as of August 1, up 6.5% year-on-year.
Azerbaijani Banks' Net Foreign Assets Rise to 32.1 Billion Manats
According to CBA data, net foreign assets of Azerbaijani banks reached 32.1 billion manats as of August 1, 2026, up 2.5% month-on-month.
Azerbaijani Banks' Net Profit Up 26%
According to the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, the banking sector's net profit for 7 months of 2024 amounted to 858.7 million manats, up 26% year-on-year.
Mastercard: AI in Finance Requires Flawless Performance and Trust
Mastercard's AI and Data Director Greg Ulrich discusses key principles for implementing artificial intelligence in the financial industry, emphasizing the importance of operational standards, governance, and transparency.
Azerbaijan Recognized as Compliant with US Fiscal Transparency Requirements
The US State Department's 2026 report confirms Azerbaijan meets minimum financial transparency requirements.
SOCAR's debt grows 18.8% to 3 billion manats
At the start of the year, SOCAR's debt obligations reached 3.047 billion manats, up 18.8% year-on-year. The bulk of the debt is owed to the State Oil Fund.
EFSD to Provide Tajikistan with $200 Million Budget Support Loan
The Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development will provide Tajikistan with a $200 million loan to support the state budget. The funds will be disbursed in three tranches.
Russia's International Reserves Rise to $740 Billion
Russia's international reserves increased by $19.7 billion over the week, reaching $740 billion as of August 7.
VTB Capital Reduction: Sign of Losses or Shareholder Flight?
VTB (Azerbaijan) announced a reduction in its authorized capital from 315.8 million to 94.7 million manats, raising questions about the bank's financial stability.
CBA Discusses Digitalization of Capital Market
The Central Bank of Azerbaijan held a meeting to discuss capital market development and enhancing digitalization.
VTB (Azerbaijan) to Cut Authorized Capital by 3.3 Times
VTB (Azerbaijan) decided at a shareholders' meeting on July 3 to reduce its authorized capital from 315.8 million to 94.7 million manats to align its capital structure with legal requirements.
VTB (Azerbaijan) Cuts Non-Interest Expenses
VTB (Azerbaijan) became the only bank to significantly reduce non-interest expenses, while most banks increased costs.