Tbilisi (GBC) - To enhance consumer protection standards in the financial sector, strengthen market conduct supervision, and foster a more consumer-focused environment, the National Bank of Georgia has approved its Market Conduct Supervision Strategy for 2025–2027.
The strategy aims to improve access to information about the NBG’s vision, priorities, and plans in the area of consumer protection for the public and all interested stakeholders. It also supports more effective planning of supervisory activities and enhances financial institutions’ awareness of upcoming initiatives.
The document outlines key priorities and strategic directions for market conduct supervision, along with evaluation indicators and a monitoring framework.
In particular, the strategy reinforces principle-based supervision in consumer protection. This shift moves beyond passive assessments of compliance with legal requirements toward identifying current and emerging risks and challenges and addressing them through proactive supervisory actions and practical solutions.
As part of a more consumer-focused approach, thematic inspections will be conducted. These will help better highlight sector-specific challenges and identify areas for improvement.
In addition, to support the development of a sustainable and healthy market environment beyond the existing regulatory framework, the National Bank will issue guidelines and recommendations. These tools will promote fair competition and better safeguard consumer interests.
The strategy also places greater emphasis on encouraging financial institutions to adopt approaches tailored to different consumer segments.
The Market Conduct Supervision Strategy will be reviewed and updated every three years. Priority areas will be reassessed, and changes introduced as needed in response to evolving challenges.