The financial sector in North Macedonia is currently navigating a debate regarding the cost of banking services, specifically focusing on whether fees charged to citizens should be capped by law or left to market competition.
The Push for Lower Fees
Governor of the National Bank, Trajko Slaveski, has been a vocal proponent of reducing payment service fees for both citizens and businesses. The National Bank has sought to address these concerns by engaging in direct dialogue with the Macedonian Banking Association (MBA).
- Voluntary Adjustments: Through ongoing coordination, several commercial banks have already moved to voluntarily lower their service fees.
- Strategic Goal: The initiative aims to alleviate financial burdens on households and improve access to digital banking services.
The Legislative Stance
Conversely, the Minister of Finance, Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska, has cautioned against direct legislative intervention. The Ministry maintains that commercial banking fees are fundamentally a result of market dynamics and internal bank policy.
"The setting of commercial bank fees is determined by market competition and internal bank policies rather than direct legislative mandates," the Ministry emphasized in recent discussions.
Current Outlook
As of June 3, 2026, the approach remains grounded in cooperative dialogue rather than state-mandated price controls. The National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia and the Ministry of Finance continue to coordinate to ensure that the stability of the financial system is maintained while addressing consumer costs.
