Banks are obliged to prevent the borrower from exceeding the debt ceiling. The main changes concern the time limits for loan disbursement, stricter control of the borrower’s solvency (accounting of income from rent, copyrights, etc.), but the requirements for the ratio of payments to income are becoming stricter.
The NBM seeks to strengthen, inter alia, the control over currency risks and to introduce mandatory reporting for non-bank credit institutions The main objective is to unify the requirements for banks and non-bank credit institutions (NBCOs). More transparent product advertising and strict requirements for calculating creditworthiness are also being introduced.
Memo to borrowers
The key changes for borrowers are the introduction of a debt load limit: monthly payments on all loans must not exceed 40% of the borrower’s net income. Income is calculated as the average net earnings for at least the last 6 months.
Maximum loan terms: consumer loans – up to 5 years, financial leasing – up to 7 years (introduced from June 2026), mortgage loans – up to 30 years.
Credit availability and protection of borrower’s rights is facilitated. The list of receipts to be taken into account has been expanded – now banks can take into account income from rent, copyrights and remittances.
According to the draft law of the National Commission on Financial Market (NCFM), a ceiling is set on the cost of credit – maximum interest rate: 50% in lei and 25% in currency, commissions and fees: no more than 0.02% per day of the loan amount, penalties for delinquency: maximum 0.2% per day of the outstanding amount.
Who will be affected by the new rules
The requirements apply only to personal loans and do not affect business loans.
The rules will also affect interest-free loans (including credit checks) and will also apply to 0% installment loans.
Financial organizations: banks and microfinance companies (MCOs) are now required to comply with a single standard for verifying client income before granting a loan.
These measures are taken against the background that banks already reject more than 54% of online applications, maintaining a cautious lending policy despite growing public interest in loans.
