ECB approval allows UniCredit to exceed 30% ownership of Commerzbank, strengthening its route to control despite opposition from Berlin, management and employees.
Uzbek banks saw a 30.9% deposit growth in Q1 2026, with Octobank leading a surge in corporate deposits, while Milliy Bank and Agrobank maintained top rankings.
Octobank launches E9PAY-enabled money transfers to South Korean HUMO cards, enhancing cross-border payment options and strengthening international financial services.
Uzbek banks expanded their credit portfolios by 19.3 trillion UZS in Q1 2026, while non-performing loans rose by 1.8 trillion UZS, mainly driven by state-owned banks amid evolving risk challenges.
Uzbek banks must now retain a minimum balance of 1.236 million UZS on client cards during automatic debt repayments, preventing complete fund depletion.
Uzbekistan accelerates Asakabank privatization, transferring assets and securing state capital to enhance the bank's market viability and strategic competitiveness.