COVID19 Overview on moratoria
10 December 2020 | newsletters
Readers should be aware that EBA issued guidelines designed to clarify (among others) when a moratorium measure (private or public) does not automatically trigger the re-classification of exposures as forborne. Criteria include (i) moratorium was passed in response of the COVID19 pandemic, (ii) measure is broadly applied by institutions in that jurisdiction, (iii) measure is available to a broad range of obligors, (iv) the moratorium offers same measures to classes of obligors, (v) the measure only affects the schedule of payments (eg no change in the interest rate beyond usual changes of benchmark rates) and (vi) the moratorium does not apply to new loans granted after the entry into force of the measure (the use of existing credit lines or renewal of revolving loans is not considered a new loan). The institutions are required to continue to assess the unlikeliness to pay by an obligor during and after the moratorium.
Country |
Are measures that provide for (1) a deferral of payments and/or (2) a freeze on enforcement (each, a "Moratorium") in place / planned? |
Is the Moratorium (quasi-) voluntary or imposed by an authority/regulator? |
Does the Moratorium apply to local creditors only or does it also affect creditors that lend cross-border? |
Austria |
There is a statutory moratorium set in place (the initial legislation back in April set the moratorium initially for three months; further legislation extended the moratorium several times). For loans taken out by consumers and micro enterprises before 15 March 2020, payment dates falling between 1 April 2020 and 31 January 2021 are (and the final maturity is) extended by 10 months. |
The Moratorium is voluntary for borrowers and mandatory for banks, i.e. a borrower has the right to invoke the Moratorium if its ability to repay is materially adversely affected as a result of COVID-19. |
Not expressly spelled out but arguably also applies to foreign lenders if the loan agreement is governed by Austrian law. |
Bosnia (FBiH) |
Yes, a Moratorium on all (re)payments under bank loan agreements as a single measure for a period of six months, starting with approval by the bank, and for a period of 12 months when combined with other measures. Borrowers can apply for the measures, including moratorium, until 31 December 2020. |
Quasi-voluntary. Banks are obliged to define appropriate measures that will help their clients financially affected by the pandemic to establish a sustainable business model and to settle credit obligations; the Moratorium is one of the available measures. Voluntary for borrowers. Presumably applicable to non-bank borrowers only (no mention about banks as borrowers in the law). |
Local banks only; however, it cannot be excluded that borrowers might try to invoke the Moratorium against both local and cross-border bank creditors. |
Bosnia (RS) |
Yes, a Moratorium on all (re)payments under bank loan agreements as a single measure for a period of six months, starting with approval by the bank, and for a period of 12 months when combined with other measures. Borrowers can apply for the measures, including moratorium, until 31 December 2020. |
Quasi-voluntary. Banks are obliged to define appropriate measures that will help their clients financially affected by the pandemic to establish a sustainable business model and to settle credit obligations; the Moratorium is one of the available measures. Voluntary for borrowers. Presumably applicable to non-bank borrowers only (no mention about banks as borrowers in the law). |
Local banks only; however, it cannot be excluded that borrowers might try to invoke the Moratorium against both local and cross-border bank creditors. |
Bulgaria |
The public moratorium imposed by the Act on the Measures and Actions during the State of Emergency Declared by a Resolution of the National Assembly of 13 March 2020 and on Addressing the Consequences is no longer in force. From 13 July 2020 (two months following the repeal of the state of emergency), the statutory moratorium is no longer applicable. |
Although not imposed by a law or an authority, the private moratorium on bank loans is adopted by the Association of Banks in Bulgaria and following approval by the BNB, becomes mandatory for the banks. The moratorium is, however, voluntary for the borrowers. |
Local banks (members of the Association of Banks in Bulgaria) only. |
Croatia |
(1) No statutory measures regarding deferral of payments are in place that would defer payments or freeze enforcement by law. However, under the guidelines of the Croatian National Bank, banks may grant moratoria until 31 March 2021. |
The measures regarding deferral of payments still stand on a voluntary basis only. |
Local banks only. |
Czech Republic |
No, not anymore. |
Moratoria are now on a voluntary basis only. |
n/a |
Hungary |
(1) From 1 January 2021, lenders having a seat or branch office in Hungary may not terminate their loan, credit and financial leasing agreements until 30 June 2021 if the debtor is in default due to its financial difficulties. (ii) In addition, a moratorium has been introduced under all retail and corporate financings. Capital, interest and fee payment obligations under all loan, credit and financial leasing agreements, employer loans and guarantees are suspended until 31 December 2020. (iii) For certain people in need (e.g. unemployed, pregnant or retired people) and companies in financial difficulties, the moratorium has been prolonged until 30 June 2021. (2) Auctions, onsite enforcement procedures and measures cannot be taken until the end of the state of emergency. |
(1) Deferral of payments: (i) The prohibition on termination is mandatory for banks. (ii) The general moratorium is voluntary for borrowers (opt-out) and mandatory for banks, i.e. debtors may continue performing their contractual obligations if they would like to. (iii) The prolonged moratorium is voluntary for borrowers (opt-out for people in need and opt-in for companies having financial difficulties) and mandatory for banks. (2) Freeze on enforcements: mandatory. |
(1) Deferral of payments: (i) The prohibition on termination is applicable in respect of lenders having a seat or branch office in Hungary. (ii) As to the general moratorium, there is no distinction between domestic or foreign lenders providing financial services. Foreign lenders might be affected as well (irrespective of the law governing their agreement with the borrower), if we were to consider the rationale of the proposed moratorium, e.g. to act as an economic safeguard. (iii) The prolonged moratorium is only applicable in respect of lenders having a seat or branch office in Hungary. (2) The freeze on enforcements applies to both local banks and cross-border creditors. |
Moldova |
No measures with respect to the deferral of payments or a freeze on enforcement are in place or being discussed in Moldova. Commercial banks or non-banking payment service providers decide independently whether to apply such policies or not. |
n/a |
n/a |
Montenegro |
A Moratorium based on a decision of the Central Bank of Montenegro on all (re)payments under loan agreements applicable to: |
The Moratorium is voluntary for borrowers and mandatory for banks, i.e. a borrower is free to invoke the Moratorium and the bank is bound by the borrower's choice. |
Local banks only (according to an unofficial confirmation from the central bank); however, it cannot be excluded that borrowers might try to invoke the Moratorium against both local and cross-border bank creditors. |
North Macedonia |
The Macedonian authorities adopted a measure according to which Macedonian banks are obliged to offer and/or review offers made to them by debtors (natural persons and non-financial corporations) in relation to terms and conditions of credit arrangements not later than 30 September 2020. |
The Moratorium is voluntary, given that it may be offered but the banks are not obliged to offer it. |
It may be understood that the measures relate only to local banks as they provide for regulatory relief which is applicable only for local banks. However, it cannot be excluded that borrowers might try to offer / request offers from cross-border bank creditors in relation to the terms and conditions of their respective credit arrangements. |
Poland |
Currently there are no official plans by the Polish government to introduce a general mandatory deferral of payments and/or freeze of enforcement. |
n/a |
n/a |
Romania |
An emergency ordinance was passed on 26 March 2020 by the Government (the "Ordinance"), instituting a Moratorium of up to nine months (until 31 December 2020) available to virtually any type of borrower directly or indirectly affected by COVID-19 (except for credit institutions), who do not register overdue payments / whose loan is not accelerated are eligible. For legal persons, there are two additional criteria to be met: (i) the entity's activity was curtailed (in full or in part) due to measures taken by competent authorities during the state of emergency, or its March 2020 revenue has decreased by 25 % or more compared to the average income generated in January and February 2020, and the entity has obtained a state of emergency certificate; and (ii) the entity is not subject to insolvency, as evidenced by the commercial registry online database. |
Under the Ordinance, the Moratorium is voluntary for eligible borrowers (opt-in), who will have to submit a request with their lender until 15 June 2020. Application norms detail the processing of such requests by lenders. Interest will accrue and be capitalised during the suspension period, to be repaid in equal instalments for the entire duration of the loan, after the Moratorium ceases. By way of exception, interest accruing on consumer mortgage loans will not be capitalised, but will be repaid in 60 equal monthly instalments, after the Moratorium ceases. The state also guarantees payment of interest on such mortgage loans via guarantees issued based on bilateral conventions entered into with the lenders. |
The Ordinance is silent on this topic, but arguments can be raised in support of both options (i.e. that the Moratorium applies exclusively to local creditors or also to cross-border creditors). In practice, it might be expected that Romanian courts will extend protection to any eligible Romanian borrower even if the lender is foreign. |
Serbia |
The Moratorium imposed by the National Bank of Serbia expired on 30 September 2020. On 14 December 2020, the NBS prescribed an obligation for banks and lessors to approve debt repayment reliefs to debtors (natural persons, farmers, entrepreneurs and companies) who due to the conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have or may have difficulties in the repayment of liabilities, at their request. When it comes to corporate clients, it was assessed that repayment reliefs should be offered in particular to debtors who experienced in 2020 a fall in business revenue, and/or turnover of at least 15% relative to 2019 or a shutdown lasting minimum 30 days in continuity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The reliefs envisaged by the NBS involve rescheduling and refinancing of loans and financial lease liabilities, as well as a six-month grace period and appropriate extension of repayment term so that the debtor’s monthly liabilities are not higher than those envisaged by the repayment schedule prior to the approval of facilities. |
The deferral of payments was voluntary for borrowers (on an opt-out basis) and mandatory for banks / financial leasing providers, which were obliged to offer a deferral to individuals, farmers, entrepreneurs and companies by 31 July 2020. |
Local banks only; however, it is possible that borrowers have invoked the Moratorium against cross-border bank creditors as well, especially to avoid or delay the enforcement proceedings. |
Slovenia |
Yes. Deferral of payments for eligible borrowers of bank debt (not automatic) for 12 months starting with approval by the bank. On 28 November 2020, the option to apply for a deferral was extended until 31 December 2020. Deferral of payments is available for liabilities which have not yet matured by 19 October 2020 (date of second official declaration of COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia) and for payment obligations under new loans concluded during the validity of intervention measures. Banks have until 31 January 2021 to approve deferral applications. |
The Moratorium is voluntary for eligible borrowers (opt-in) and quasi-voluntary for banks. A bank which denies a justified application by an eligible borrower risks a considerable penalty (up to EUR 250,000). Presumably, the Moratorium does not apply to bank borrowers (although it must be said that the law is not sufficiently clear). |
Local banks (and local branches of EU banks) only. |
Slovakia |
On 8 December 2020, a new so-called Lex Covid was approved by the National Council of the Slovak Republic, which will enter into force on 1 January 2021. Lex Covid prolongs the possibility for the companies to be granted temporary protection from bankruptcy and enforcement proceedings that is currently in place and modifies its terms to a certain extent. |
Mandatory if granted. |
Freeze on enforcement – both local banks and creditors that lend cross-border. |
Turkey |
|
Deferral of bank loans is voluntary. |
Only local banks are subject to the recommendations of the Banking Regulatory Authority. |
Authors per country:
Austria – Martin Ebner, Henri Bellando
Bosnia – Minela Sehovic
Bulgaria – Tsvetan Krumov
Czech Republic – Ondřej Havlíček
Croatia – Ozren Kobsa
Hungary – Gergely Szaloki
Montenegro – Petar Vucinic
North Macedonia – Jovan Barovic
Poland – Martin Antczak
Romania – Adina Damaschin
Serbia – Petar Kojdic
Slovenia – Vid Kobe
Slovakia – Alexandra Adamickova
Turkey – Levent Celepci
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