Golovchenko: Belarus’ banks respond effectively to challenges despite sanctions

MINSK, 27 February (BelTA) – Banks have learned to respond flexibly and effectively to challenges under sanctions, Chairman of the Board of the National Bank of Belarus Roman Golovchenko said during a joint meeting of the two chambers of the National Assembly of Belarus on 27 February, BelTA has learned.

“Banks have learned to respond properly, flexibly, and quite effectively to challenges and threats amid constant sanction pressure. Banks have increased both their return on assets and their regulatory capital,” Roman Golovchenko said.

In early 2026, the share of non-performing assets stood at 2.2% (with a threshold of no more than 10%). The regulatory capital adequacy ratio reached 19.2% (with a minimum requirement of at least 10%).

To preserve the financial stability of banks and limit systemic risk, macroprudential regulation tools were used, complemented by a number of countercyclical measures.

Roman Golovchenko emphasized that financial stability is a critically important element for the uninterrupted functioning of the economy. The stable operation of the financial system is essential for the efficient allocation of resources, the protection of citizens’ savings, and the preservation of enterprises’ investment activity. Financial stability includes several key components: maintaining gold and forex reserves at an economically safe level, ensuring banks’ resilience to risks and threats, and guaranteeing the stable and uninterrupted operation of the payment system.

As of 1 January 2026, international reserve assets reached a historic high level of $14.4 billion. Over the past year, gold and forex reserves increased by $5.5 billion. Contributing factors included rising global gold prices. Reserves were also replenished through the National Bank’s purchases of foreign currency on the domestic FX market.