UNMIK/PR/146
Pristina—The Head of Bank Supervision of the Banking and Payments Authority of Kosovo (BPK), Mr. Jimmy Barton, today issued a reminder to groups and organizations operating banking facilities in Kosovo of the 15 February deadline for filing their license applications. The 15 February filing deadline had already been extended from the 15 December deadline previously established by Regulation.
“After the 15 of February, all groups and organizations pretending to be banks must cease their operations, including the taking of deposits and making loans”, stated Mr. Barton today at the UNMIK press briefing. “Our aim is to construct a very good banking system in Kosovo with the confidence and trust of the population”.
To date, only one bank has applied for and received a license from the BPK to operate: the Micro Enterprise Bank (MEB). MEB officially opened for business on 24 January, with an office in Pristina and plans to establish branches in Prizren and Peja.
The Grameen Trust Fund is the other non-banking institution licensed by the BPK to conduct financial business in Kosovo. The Grameen Trust Fund is a not-for-profit organization that provides micro-credit loans to small businesses and individuals.