Moldova's accession to SEPA confirms international partners' confidence in the reliability of its financial system -the IMF
Kenji Okamura, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund stated this at a meeting in Washington with a delegation from the National Bank of Moldova (NBM) led by the NBM Governor, Anca Dragu, as part of the annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the IMF in Washington. According to the National Bank, the discussions focused on the prospects for the global and regional economy, the sustainability of Moldova's economy, and the role of the NBM in strengthening financial stability and promoting structural reforms in line with the country's European course. Anca Dragu presented the latest macroeconomic developments, including initiatives to maintain a stable and well-capitalized banking sector, noting progress in central bank governance and transparency, as well as the modernization of the payment infrastructure. In this context, Moldova's participation in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) was noted, confirming the maturity of the institutional framework and gradual convergence with European standards. Kenji Okamura noted that joining SEPA confirms the confidence of international partners in the reliability of Moldova's financial system, as well as the successful completion of assessment missions conducted under the FSAP (Financial Sector Assessment Program) implemented by the IMF and the World Bank. This assessment provides an in-depth and objective analysis of the quality of regulation and supervision of the banking system, stress tests of Moldovan banks, an assessment of their ability to manage crisis situations, and an analysis of how the financial system provides access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises and other key sectors of the economy. “We will continue Moldova's European path with the same consistency and confidence: stability, transparency, and reforms. By modernizing the payment infrastructure and strengthening governance, we are bringing Moldova's financial system closer to European standards and contributing to greater confidence and economic stability,” Anca Dragu emphasized. It was noted that the NBM and the IMF intend to deepen cooperation in order to strengthen the macroprudential system. // 16.10.2025 — InfoMarket
