NBK alters reserve requirements for financial institutions, effective July 2026
The National Bank of Kazakhstan has revised minimum reserve requirements for financial institutions, effective July 2026. The changes will expand the range of organizations subject to these requirements. This comes as the bank aligns reporting standards with new regulations.
Revised Reserve Requirements
Starting July 1, 2026, the National Bank of Kazakhstan will include companies conducting specific banking operations and those with access to its instruments in the minimum reserve requirements. The new requirements stipulate a 5% reserve for the first and second categories of obligations in national currency, and 3.5% for the third category. Obligations in foreign currency will require 12% for the first group banks and 15% for the second group.
Criteria for Bank Grouping
Banks are categorized based on their asset growth by the end of 2025. The first group includes banks with at least a 20% growth in assets such as loans to non-financial enterprises and government securities. These criteria also apply to corporate securities from entities like Baiterek National Holding and Samruk-Kazyna. Banks lacking these assets as of January 1, 2025, are not included in the first group.
What's Next
The new reserve requirements will take effect in 2026, impacting financial institutions' operations. It remains unclear how these changes will affect the broader financial market in Kazakhstan.
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NBK alters reserve requirements for financial institutions, effective July 2026
