Uzbekistan may implement a self-imposed ban on issuing loans.

In Uzbekistan, there are plans to introduce a self-imposed ban on the issuance of loans, as deputies have approved the corresponding bill in its first reading.

The amendments have been developed to provide additional protection against illegal actions by offenders during the loan issuance process to individuals.

The authorities intend to implement a mechanism for voluntary refusal to arrange a loan. In this regard, it is planned to create a registry of individuals with whom loan agreements are prohibited.

In Uzbekistan, fraudsters have increasingly been stealing money by taking out loans in the names of residents without their participation or knowledge. The bill stipulates:

• the establishment of a registry of individuals with whom loan agreements cannot be concluded;
• the ability to prohibit entering into a loan agreement without their participation or notification by submitting a request to the credit bureau related to the arrangement of the loan transaction;
• the establishment of a minimum charter capital for credit bureaus set at 2 billion sums;
• the introduction of measures and sanctions by the Central Bank against credit bureaus for violations.

It is noted that these changes will allow individuals to prevent the conclusion of loan agreements without their participation or knowledge.

Earlier, the Central Bank announced that call centers of commercial banks in Uzbekistan will now operate around the clock to handle reports of lost cards or their improper use.

Additionally, a special structure will be created in banks to address inquiries, with employees who will thoroughly investigate all complaints and regulate their resolution.

It is worth mentioning that residents of Uzbekistan have started to take out more microloans and borrowings. The peak of loan issuance occurred in June 2024.