Kazakhstan regulator publishes draft loan restructuring rules for bank and MFI borrowers Sept 23

September 23, 2026 at 11:09 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Kazakhstan's financial regulator has published draft rules that simplify how borrowers can request changes to loan terms with banks and microfinance organizations. The rules introduce collective debt settlement for borrowers with overdue unsecured consumer loans from multiple lenders, coordinated by a banking or microfinance ombudsman. Most provisions take effect 10 days after official publication, while collective settlement rules start January 1, 2027.

Key Facts

The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market (ARDFM) published draft rules on September 23, 2026, for handling borrower requests to change loan terms.
If a bank or MFI refuses to change loan terms, the lender must inform the borrower of the right to appeal to a banking or microfinance ombudsman within three days.
Collective debt settlement will be available only for unsecured consumer loans when the borrower has no other loans secured by property collateral.
The ombudsman must begin the collective settlement procedure within three working days of receiving an application.
Collective settlement rules and the ombudsman platform take effect on January 1, 2027.

New Borrower Rights

The ARDFM published the draft rules on September 23, 2026, covering borrower requests to change loan terms with banks and microfinance organizations. If a lender refuses to change terms or the parties cannot agree on restructuring, the lender must notify the borrower of the right to contact a banking or microfinance ombudsman. The borrower has three days to make such an appeal, according to the draft rules. Ulysmedia reports that the lender must provide written notification of this right, and the borrower has three months to use it.

Collective Settlement Procedure

The rules introduce collective settlement for borrowers with overdue unsecured consumer loans from two or more banks or MFIs. Borrowers can apply electronically through a special platform operated by the banking and microfinance ombudsman. The ombudsman must start the procedure within three working days of receiving the application and coordinate the signing of agreements at all stages. After debt terms are agreed, the ombudsman sends the borrower the settlement conditions, a protocol, and draft mediation agreements with each creditor. The borrower has 72 hours to sign the documents; failure to sign within that period automatically terminates the procedure.

Implementation Timeline

Most provisions of the resolution take effect 10 calendar days after the first official publication. The collective settlement rules and the ombudsman platform begin operating on January 1, 2027. A separate payment schedule calculation procedure is provided for socially vulnerable groups and recipients of targeted social assistance. All documents are signed with an electronic digital signature.