Bank tariffs: Salads in sports up to 5 euros, reactions erupt

Banks in Kosovo have expensive rates for transactions realised in their branches, bringing the price of a fee to the sports store to 5 euros.

Until, payments through bank applications or online platforms are much cheaper, in some cases of symbolic or free tariffs.

The issue has rushed response from connoisseurs who estimate that the greatest burden falls on pensioners and citizens who do not use electronic services.

Former President of PDK: The government gives 100 euros to citizens, banks receive 5 euros.

Former President of PDK, Ferat Shala talking about “Front Online” has criticised the government and institutions responsible for failing to act on the rise of bank tariffs.

According to Shala, the situation is particularly heavy for social categories, which all payments and services do through the banking system.

He also cited assistance shared by the government for 100 euros.

The “is a heavy situation, especially for social schemes, which carry all services through the banking system. The biggest anomalia is that institutions, including the prime minister himself, on the one hand share 100 euros for citizens, while on the other side of 5 euros end up in the banking system”, She said Shala.

Shala says the Kosovo Central Bank has institutional responsibilities to monitor and manage these policies.

“The CEC has an institutional obligation to manage these policies or interrupt them, which is not happening”,Shala finished.

The Chamber of Commerce alarms for expensive banking services: Prices Are Growing Without Reason

Chamber of Commerce and Industry representative Antifeit Ahmeti in a proposal has expressed concern about the continued increase in prices of services from banks in Kosovo.

According to Ahmeti, banks have started rising prices since last year.

He says the case was addressed to the BQC governor.

The ongoing growth of bank services prices is now handing over the country for a long time. Since last year, banks have begun to raise prices. We have also expressed our concern to the governor of the Central Bank of Kosovo and have asked that decisions be made to prevent these growth”, Ahmeti declared.

Ahmeti says citizens are facing double financial burdens.

“On one hand raised interest rates and the other side increased the price of services and we have no reason why this is happening”, Has Ahmet said.

OEK head: Bank tariffs are not disturbing as digital services remain free

Unlike critical voices that have expressed concern over the increase in bank fees, Kosovo Economic Ode Chairman Lulzim Rafuna estimates the situation poses no major problem as digital services continue to be affordable.

We don't see much concern because in the ATMs and other services that are digital they're cheaper banks inside them have regulated their costs and spending”, He said.

Rafuna says about “Front Online” that there is no reason for alarm as long as the tariffs for electronic and digital services suffer no increase.

Until these digital services are expensive there is no major problem” It's Rafuna.

Economist Beqiri: Banks are earning millions, while citizens pay high fees

The economy's recogniser, Lulzim Beqiri, has estimated that the increase in bank tariffs in Kosovo is taking place at a time when the banking sector is registering record profits.

The growth of bank tariffs comes at a time when the banking sector in Kosovo is marking record profits. Over the past three years alone, banks have realised over 520m euros in net profit, which indicates that it is a very profitable sector”, He declared.

Beqiri said the current tariffs are considered high for the economic standard of citizens.

“Tarifa of 5 euros for a sports fee and 70 cents for a withdrawal at the ATMs are considered high. These costs may appear small separately, but when applied consistently over the month, they constitute an additional burden to the family budget”, He stressed.

Economist noted that not all citizens have access or access to electronic services.

Not all citizens have access to electronic services. Pensioners, seniors, and a large proportion of citizens still depend on bank sports for paying”, Beqiri said.

He called for an action by responsible institutions.

The supervisory subx0 institutions should analyze whether these tariffs are reasonable and in line with consumer interest”, Beqiri said.

According to data published in the bank's own quarterly reports, the revenues of five leading banks in the country only from the commissions reached 24.6m euros in the first quarter of this year.