Published
05/23/2025, 15:36On 22 May, the National Bank submitted a draft resolution for public discussion that could change the rules of the game in the area of protecting customers from fraud in banks. The main innovation is that in certain cases, banks will be obliged to compensate customers for losses caused by fraudulent transactions.
The National Bank has proposed amendments to key regulations governing the activities of commercial banks, including instructions on bank accounts and operational risk management. The updated requirements concern the creation of a comprehensive anti-fraud system that not only identifies suspicious transactions but also provides for a procedure for blocking transactions for up to 30 days.
Now, if a customer files a complaint about a suspicious transaction, the bank will be obliged to suspend the transaction and conduct an investigation. If it turns out that the bank allowed the transaction to bypass the restrictions, it will have to refund the money. This obligation applies to cases where transactions are made using known fraudulent identifiers (telephone numbers, details, wallet numbers, etc.), which the bank must enter into a special register.
Each bank must now implement a fraud risk assessment system for each outgoing transaction. It must assign risk levels (low, medium, high) to transactions and initiate manual verification if any deviations are detected. The system must also maintain a blacklist of suspicious recipients and track more than 15 categories of transactions, from international transfers to online casino payments. An important new feature is the ability to report fraud via a mobile app or website without visiting a branch. This can be done around the clock by filling out an intuitive form. If the bank allows funds to be transferred to a prohibited account, reimbursement to the customer will be mandatory.
This also applies to cases where the bank has failed to ensure proper control of anti-fraud systems or has made a mistake in risk assessment. With the growth of digital transactions and the increase in attacks on remote banking systems, the introduction of strict anti-fraud mechanisms is not only a technological issue, but also a strategic one. This is the foundation of trust in the banking system. If the resolution is adopted, the new rules will come into force 15 days after official publication, and the key anti-fraud provisions will come into force on 1 January 2026.
