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Legislative bills

Republika Srpska Adopts Bills to Enhance Consumer Protection and Reform Laws

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The National Assembly of Republika Srpska has taken significant steps to protect consumers and reform various laws. Key to these reforms is the adoption of the Bill on Amendments to the Law on Banks, which prohibits banks from charging clients multiple service fees. These banned fees include charges for sending payment reminders, managing credit accounts, and checking account balances. The law also restricts banks from charging clients for cash withdrawals made with debit cards at their ATMs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Bill on Amendments to the Law on Banks prohibits banks from charging clients several service fees, including fees for sending payment reminders, managing credit accounts, and checking account balances.
  • The law also bans banks from charging clients for cash withdrawals made with debit cards at their ATMs.
  • SnjeA3/4ana Rudic, Assistant Minister of Finance of Republika Srpska, emphasized that banks are closing branches, shortening business hours, and forcing clients to use digital tools, making balance inquiries at ATMs a service that should be free.
  • The law does not exempt citizens from paying fees for maintaining current accounts, as this is regulated by the Law on Payment Transactions.
  • A proposed new Law on Payment Transactions will be introduced this year to discuss the issue of current accounts.
  • The National Assembly also adopted the Law on the City of Teslic, which will upgrade the municipality of Teslic to a city status.
  • The Bills on Amendments to the Law on Business Companies and the Law on Child Protection were passed in urgent procedure.
  • The Bill on Amendments to the Law on the Privatization of State-Owned Apartments was also adopted under urgent procedure.
  • The continuation of the 14th session of the RS National Assembly is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20.

Statistics:

  • None provided in the text

Sources:

[Rudic, SnjeA3/4ana: Assistant Minister of Finance of Republika Srpska]

[National Assembly of Republika Srpska: Official Session Minutes]

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