The Central Bank of Montenegro’s annual report highlights significant achievements in maintaining and enhancing financial stability throughout 2024. The year was marked by intense institutional and regulatory reforms aimed at aligning with the standards of the European System of Central Banks.
Despite challenges in both domestic and external environments, positive trends were recorded in the banking sector, including growth in assets by 7.7%, loans by 13.3%, capital by 8.6%, and deposits by 6.7%. The share of non-performing loans and receivables dropped to 3.5% as of December 31, 2024 — the lowest level in the past 15 years.
Strategic progress included Montenegro’s accession to the SEPA area in November 2024, enabling cheaper, faster, and safer payment transactions for citizens and businesses. The development of the national instant payment system continued, with the implementation of the TIPS clone project, maintaining high standards of professionalism and dedication.
Regulatory activities focused on aligning domestic laws with the EU acquis, especially in key financial sector areas. The report also emphasizes the creation of a roadmap for the financial sector towards sustainable finance and guidelines on ESG risk management in credit institutions.
Additionally, the Central Bank adopted its first comprehensive Strategic Plan for 2025–2028, prioritizing financial stability, digital transformation, EU integration, and human resources development.
Supervisory activities in 2024 identified and analyzed potential risks, leading to preventive measures to safeguard financial stability.
Financially, the Central Bank achieved a net profit of €12.2 million in 2024, nearly €5 million of which was transferred to the state budget. For the fourth consecutive year, an independent auditor issued no recommendations regarding the Bank’s financial operations.
