13/01/2025
MiCreS Newsletter N.2 VOL. 2
Website: micresproject.com
The National Bank is strengthening its activities to improve the lives of people with disabilities by facilitating access to financial services. To this end, the central bank has developed Guidelines for Greater Inclusion of People with Disabilities as Consumers in the Banking Sector, which include greater facilitation of physical access to locations and installation of digital platforms, involvement in the design of banking products, as well as better information for these users of banking services. The National Bank has also developed and printed a Brochure intended for people with visual impairments, which would contribute to their greater financial education and better information about their rights.
On December 13, 2024, at the premises of the Macedonian Banking Association (MBA), a significant meeting was held with representatives of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), led by Visar Perani, representative of the IFC Office for our country.
Today, the UN Women office in Skopje organized an event dedicated to raising awareness of the specific challenges faced by adult women in society. The event focused on their often-neglected role, highlighting the need for more active support at the political, economic and social levels to advance their well-being.
The Macedonian Banking Association is pleased to inform the public that at the 48th Session of the Assembly, it appointed Mr. Bojan Stojanoski as Vice-President of the Association, with a mandate of four years.
On November 21, 2024, at the premises of the Macedonian Banking Association, and organized by the Education Unit at the MBA and the United Nations Development Program – UNDP, a presentation of the Program “Green Financial Instrument for Improving Air Quality and Combating Climate Change in the Republic of North Macedonia” was held.
On World Savings Day, 31st of October, the Macedonian Banking Association (MBA) had the pleasure of hosting representatives from the MiCres project team – Ms. Fatma Dirkes, Vice-President of the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management and President of the European Banking & Financial Services Training Association (EBTN) and Ms. Katia Goertz, MiCreS Project Director.
Traditionally, the Macedonian Banking Association, in cooperation with the Deposit Insurance Fund, organized an event on the occasion of World Savings Day – October 31.
The Minister of Education and Science, Prof. Vesna Janevska had a meeting with Milena Perchinkova, Executive Secretary of the Macedonian Banking Association, and Ph.D. Berkan Imeri, a member of the Education Committee at the Macedonian Banking Association, where they discussed deepening of cooperation for the advancement of financial literacy education of students.
On October 23 and 24, 2024, Impact Bucharest organized a conference in which the president of the Macedonian Banking Association, Ph.D. Maja Stevkova – Shterieva, was participating as a panelist.
On 09.10.2024, at the premises of the Macedonian Banking Association, and organized by the Commission for documentary operations, the representative of the Development Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Darko Jovanoski, gave a presentation on the topic of “Accounts Receivable Insurance and Factoring”.
On September 25 and 26, in Barcelona, Spain, organized by the Instituto de Estudios Financieros (IEF), a second working meeting for the MiCreS project was held, attended by Jovana Lozanovska from the Macedonian Banking Association, responsible person of the Department for Education.
The representatives of the MBA had the opportunity to attend three main panels, interesting presentations and interviews in which around 30 speakers and panelists from 10 different countries participated, as well as to attend social events.
On September 18, 2024, at the premises of the Macedonian Banking Association, a two-hour presentation by the KIBS Clearing House on the topic of “Trust Services and Electronic Identification” was held.
We are honored to announce that the Macedonian Banking Association, as a member of the Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN), is participating in the 8th global meeting (supported by the International Finance Corporation IFC – a member of the World Bank Group, the Central Bank of Brazil – Banco Central do Brazil and the Brazilian Banking Federation – FEBRABAN).
The Macedonian Banking Association as part of the MiCreS project team will attend the second meeting of the project with its own representative, which will be organized by IEF – Institut d’Estudis Financers, and will take place in Barcelona this September!
The Macedonian Banking Association as part of the MiCreS project team is pleased to share the Work Package 2 (WP2).
On June 7, 2024, the 59th meeting of the European Banking Federation (EBF) associate members was held in Athens, Greece, hosted by the Hellenic Banking Association.
In the premises of the Macedonian Banking Association, on May 28, 2024, the award ceremony was held for students Kiril Kitevski and Kristijan Lazaroski from “Car Samoil” Secondary School – Resen, who, under the mentorship of Diana Gjorgievska, represented our country at the European finals in Brussels, Belgium, where they won the third place in a competition of 36,000 students from 2,200 schools across Europe. The meeting was attended by the president of the Macedonian Banking Association (MBA), Dr. Maja Stevkova-Shterieva, the governor, Dr. Anita Angelovska-Bezoska, and the president of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), MSc Nora Aliti, as well as the second- and third-placed teams of the national competition, i.e. Stefani Georgievska and Filip Klobuchinski from SEPUGS “Vasil Antevski-Dren” – Skopje with mentor Biljana Ninovska and Lara Rosomanska and Elena Rizova from Gymnasium “Dobri Daskalov” – Kavadarci with mentor Loska Davcheva.
On April 26, 2024, the Chairmen of the ESG Commission attended the ESG Adria Summit organized by IFC’s Integrated ESG in collaboration with Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) and Sustineri Partners. The event was intended for Training of Trainers (ToT) from the banking associations in the region.
A two-hour debate on the topic of collections was held at the premises of the MBA on 10.5.2024. The workshop was attended by 9 member banks of the Commission for documentary operations, with 14 representatives from the specialized organizational units for this documentary service.
Yesterday, May 15, 2024, a workshop on the topic: Corporate M&A strategy in practice was held in the organization of the Commission for Financial Restructuring of Corporate Debt.
Thematic Area: HR Management & Development
Duration: 01/01/2024 – 31/12/2026
Client: European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
Region: Worldwide
Our representatives at the European Money Quiz, students Kiril Kitevski and Kristijan Lazaroski, who won the third place in this prestigious international competition for young people in the field of financial literacy, had a meeting with Her Majesty, Queen Mathilde of Belgium.
BRUSSELS, 19 April 2024 – Europe’s brightest young financial minds competed today in the European Money Quiz 2024 finals, hosted by the European Banking Federation (EBF). National delegations of teenagers aged 13-15, champions from their respective countries, convened to Brussels for a chance to win the prestigious European trophy.
Yesterday, 16.4.2024, at the Macedonian Banking Association, David Gyori, the executive director of Banking Reports Limited London, gave his vision for the future of banking.
In the organization of the Institute of Accountants and Chartered Accountants of the Republic of North Macedonia, the First Regional Conference of Accountants and Chartered Accountants in the Republic of North Macedonia was held today, under the title Accounting in the region – trends, challenges, standards and perspectives, in which the president of the Macedonian Banking Association, Dr. Maja Stevkova – Shterieva participated as a panelist.
Yesterday, 26.3.2024, representatives from the Commission for Risks and the Commission for Financial Restructuring of Corporate Debt at the Macedonian Banking Association and EOS Matrix held an expert discussion focusing on the challenges and benefits of the development of a deep and liquid secondary financial market in the country.
Students Kiril Kitevski and Kristijan Lazaroski from “Car Samoil” high school from Resen, under the mentorship of professor Dijana Gjorgievska, are the winners of the national competition for the European money quiz, which is organized by the Macedonian Banking Association (MBA), with the support of the National Bank and the Securities and exchange commission and held for the sixth time, during the Global Money Week.
Yesterday, on the first day of the Global/European Money Week – 18.03.2024, the first round of the European Money Quiz national competition took place, where over 1000 registered students from primary and secondary schools in our country competed.
The greatest success in the competition was achieved by Kiril Kitevski and Kristijan Lazaroski from Car Samoil Secondary School from Resen with their mentor Diana Gjorgievska, Stefani Georgievska and Filip Klobuchinski from SEPUGS Vasil Antevski-Dren from Skopje with their mentor Biljana Ninovska, Marija Trpinova and Kalina Trpchevska from OOU “Stiv Naumov” from Skopje, with mentor Daniela Dimishkovska, Daniela Trajkovska and Denicija Atanasova from SEPUGS Vasil Antevski-Dren from Skopje with mentor Biljana Ninovska, Lara Rosomanska and Elena Rizova from SOU Gymnasium “Dobri Daskalov” Kavadarci with mentor Loska Davcheva and Spasenija Dimova and Katerina Trpevska from OOU “Pere Toshev” from Rosoman with mentor Andriana Nikolova.
The teams continue in the second final round, which will be held on 21.03.2024, and the winning team will represent our country at the European finals, on April 19 in Brussels, Belgium.
For the sixth time, our country is participating in the European Money Quiz – a project by the European Banking Federation intended for financial education of students aged 13 to 15, which in our country is organized by the Macedonian Banking Association in cooperation with the National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
On February 21, in Frankfurt, Germany the President of the MBA, Mrs. Maja Stevkova Shterieva Ph.D. and Mrs. Milena Perchinkova, M.Sc. Executive Secretary of the Аssociation attended a kick-off meeting for the ERASMUS project known as “European micro-credentials and professional qualifications certification system in the banking & financial services sector MiCreS”.
The Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) welcomes the Macedonian Banking Association (MBA) as its newest member.
“The creation of an environment for successful management of risks related to climate change and the correct application of ESG standards deserve great attention because they will ensure the creation of a healthier environment and the achievement of the goals for the sustainable development of the entire national economy.” The role of the banking sector in mitigating climate change is to ensure the transition to green financing,” said Bogoja Kitanchev, chairman of the ESG Commission at the Macedonian Banking Association, at the recent visit to the 15th Business Forum organized by the Skopje Center Rotary Club.
At the 42nd session, the Assembly of the Macedonian Banking Association passed a Decision on the election and appointment of the chairman and vice-chairman of the ESG Commission.
At the 46th International Conference of the Banking Association of Central and Eastern Europe (BACEE) held on October 19, 2023, in Budapest, the President of the Macedonian Banking Association, Mrs. Maja Stevkova Shterieva Ph.D. received Award for the Development of International Banking Cooperation.
On September 22, 2023, a meeting of the newly established ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Commission was held at the Macedonian Banking Association.
In the direction of promotion and presentation of the Macedonian Banking Association (MBA) to the public, in the following months, we will present the commissions that function as permanent working bodies within the MBA and their leaders.
In the direction of promotion and presentation of the Macedonian Banking Association (MBA) to the public, in the following months we will present the commissions that function as permanent working bodies within the framework of the MBA and their leaders.
In the direction of promotion and presentation of the Macedonian Banking Association (MBA) to the public, in the following months, we will present the commissions that function as permanent working bodies within the MBA and their leaders.
On July 12, 2023, the third session of the Working Group for the Advancement of Foreign Exchange Trading through the Spider FX platform, formed by the Liquidity Commission, was held at the association’s premises.
In the direction of promotion and presentation of the Macedonian Banking Association (MBA) to the public, in the following months, we will present the commissions that function as permanent working bodies within the MBA and their leaders.
On July 6, MBA had the pleasure of hosting the Albanian Banking Association. Deputy Chairman of MBA, Tony Stojanovski, together with Executive Secretary Milena Perchinkova, held a working meeting with the Secretary General of the Albanian Association of Banks, Mr. Spiro Brumbulli, and his team.
In the direction of promoting and presenting the Macedonian Banking Association (MBA) to the public, in the following months, we will present the commissions that function as permanent working bodies within the MBA and their leaders.
In the direction of promoting and presenting the Macedonian Banking Association (MBA) to the public, in the following months, we will present the commissions that function as permanent working bodies within the MBA and their leaders.
In the direction of promotion and presentation of the Macedonian Banking Association (MBA) to the public, in the following months we will present the commissions that function as permanent working bodies within the framework of the MBA and their leaders.
In order to promote and present the Macedonian Banking Association (MBA) to the public, in the following months, we will introduce the commissions that function as permanent working bodies within the MBA and their leaders.
In the direction of promoting and presenting the Macedonian Banking Association (MBA) to the public, in the coming months, we will introduce the committees that function as permanent working bodies within the MBA and their leaders.
Today, on the last day of THE Global Money Week, the finals of the European Money Quiz 2023 national competition took place.
On 22.3.2023 the first event оf women executives in the banking sector was held to discuss the biggest challenge for the new generation of female leaders – the green economy.
On February 9, 2023, an event was held on the topic “Maximizing Sustainable Finance Opportunities”, organized by the International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group) in cooperation with the Macedonian Banking Association.
Traditionally, at the end of the year, the Assembly of the Macedonian Banking Association rewards members of the commissions for their activity and engagement in the work of the Association.
On November 17th, 2022, a webinar was held on The role of the private and financial sectors in sustainable development, development financing and green transformation, jointly organised by the Regional Cooperation Council Secretariat (RCC), Chamber of Economy of Montenegro and Association of Montenegrin Banks.
On 31st October 2022, the Macedonian Banking Association and the Deposit Insurance Fund organised an event to mark the World Savings Day.
MBA took part in a hybrid meeting held by the EBF Financial education project group on October 5th. Host of the event was the Banking Association of Italy and the meeting took place in Rome, Italy.
On 28th September 2022 in Brussels, the 54th Associate members meeting was held at the premises of the European Banking Federation (EBF).
The prestigious award “Bank of the Year in the Republic of North Macedonia” from the financial magazine The Banker has been awarded to Komercijalna Banka nine times (2021, 2020, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001).
At this year’s 14th Europe Banking Awards, awarded by the renowned EMEA Finance magazine, NLB Banka Skopje received the “Best Bank in Macedonia for 2021” award.
Stopanska banka is selected as the best bank in the country at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence, 2022. The announcement of the selection of best banks was organized in London at a galla event where Stopanska banka representatives were awarded with one of the most improtant acknowledgements it the banking industry.
On 28 June 2022, the Board of Selection and Monitoring of Reference Banks held a meeting at the premises of the Macedonian Banking Association.
On June 8, 2022, the Macedonian Banking Association and the Personal Data Protection Agency of the Republic of North Macedonia signed a memorandum of co-operation, reaffirming the common objectives of continuously improving the degree of protection of personal data in North Macedonia.
On 7th of June 2022, the Macedonian Banking Association has organized a workshop where PricewaterhouseCoopers North Macedonia has presented “ESG regulation for the banking sector in the European Union”.
On 6th of June 2022 the winners the European Money Quiz national competition visited the Macedonian Stock Exchange AD Skopje.
Today, at the Macedonian Banking Association (MBA), President of MBA, Maja Stevkova-Shterieva Ph.D., the Vice Chairman of MBA, Mr. Sc. Toni Stojanovski, the Governor of the National Bank Anita Angelovska-Bezhoska Ph.D. and the Commissioner Zoran Kolev Ph.D., welcomed the best students of this year’s national competition for the European Money Quiz and their mentors.
On 29th and 30th May 2022, the 53rd meeting of the associate members of the European Banking Federation (EBF) was held in Istanbul, Turkey.
Teams of students from 29 European countries took part in the online European Money Quiz finals today, an annual international financial literacy competition hosted by the European Banking Federation (EBF) since 2017.
Distinguished President of the Republic of North Macedonia,
Distinguished Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia,
Distinguished Minister of Finance,
Respected members of the Government
The Financial Education Project Group within the European Banking Federation held an online meeting on 14.04.2022, in which representatives of the Macedonian Banking Association participated.
Stefanija Sarafimova was born on 5 July 2006 in Kavadarci. She is enrolled in her first year at Dobri Daskalov High School in Kavadarci.
Mateja Taleska is a member of the winning team that will represent our country in the European final of this year’s European Money Quiz.
The winners of the European Money Quiz national competition and our representatives in the European Finals are Mateja Taleska and Dino Danovic, students in “Josip Broz Tito” High School in Skopje, mentored by their teacher Emilija Velichkova. They managed to beat the other 439 teams in the national competition, 423 of whom competed in Macedonian and 16 in Albanian.
The European Money Week is an annual initiative promoting financial education across Europe. Throughout one week in March each year, hundreds of activities are held in 30+ countries to promote financial literacy in Europe.
Deutsche Bank awarded the “Client Excellence Award 2021” Plaque to Komercijalna Banka in recognition of its excellent and successful way of working in international payment operations and in conditions of pandemic.
The celebration of the World Savings Day, October 31, the day when we are reminded of the importance of having financial security in the form of savings and long-term savings to achieve the set goals, the Macedonian Banking Association this year organized it in a hybrid format. The celebration with a limited number of attendees was held at the Marriott Hotel, Skopje and was livestreamed on the YouTube channel of the Association.
On October 5, 2021, a meeting of the International Banking Council was held, hosted by the Independent association of the banks of Ukraine.
On September 29, 2021, the 52nd meeting of the Associate members of the European Banking Federation (EBF) was held virtually.
The meeting, in addition to the presidency of the Macedonian Banking Association, was attended by representatives of banking associations from Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, San Marino, Croatia, Hungary, Montenegro and Turkey.
The grand finale of the European Money Quiz took place today. The first place was won by the representatives of the Republic of Hungary, the second place was won by the representatives of the Republic of Ireland, while the third place was won by the team of the Slovak Republic.
Blagoja Trajceski and Mihail Atanasovski from the primary school “St. Kliment Ohridski” from Bitola are the winners of the national competition and will represent our country at the final of the European Money Quiz, which will be held virtually, on April 20, 2021 in English.
Today was held an online meeting of the European runners-up from the last two years, Marko Ingilizov, Viktorija Panova and Hristijan Andovski, as well as with the mentors of the awarded students, with the registered teams of participants for this year’s European Money Quiz.
Today, at the premises of the Macedonian Banking Association, Maja Stevkova-Sterieva PhD, President of the Macedonian Banking Association (MBA) and Mariana Loncar-Velkova PhD, President of the Consumers’ Organization of Macedonia (OPM) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation.
Hristijan Andovski from Veles won second place at this year’s edition of the largest European competition in the field of financial education
The grand final of the European Money Quiz was held yesterday in which, in addition to students, mentors, parents and all other interested people for financial education from several European countries participated.
Andrei Shumanski is ranked second in the national competition “European Money Quiz”.
This year’s winner of the national competition of the European Money Quiz is Edon Hambari.
The winner of the competition is Edon Hambari from the primary school “Ismail Qemali” from Skopje
At its sixteenth session, held on 12.02.2020, the Assembly of the Macedonian Banking Association accepted its Annual Account and its Annual Report for 2019.
At its last session in 2019, held on December 27, at the premises of the Association, the Assembly of the Macedonian Banking Association, chaired by Ph.D. Maja Stevkova-Shterieva, accepted the Principles for Responsible Banking.
The International Monetary Fund delegation, led by Bergljot Bjornson Barkbu, Head of Mission, visited the Macedonian Banking Association.
The Macedonian Banking Association and the Deposit Insurance Fund organized a celebration on the occasion of the World Savings Day, 31st of October.
The Macedonian Banking Association (MBA) and Banking Association of Central and Eastern Europe Banking Association (BACEE) have signed a long-term cooperation agreement.
Initiated from Hellenic Banking Association, the Secretary Generals of Banking Associations in Albania, Cyprus, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia have gathered together in Athens, Greece, on October 16, 2019 with a view to strengthening the relations among the Bank Associations in the Balkans.
At the working meeting the President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski PhD, discussed the challenges of the banking sector in the country.
The Fund for Innovation and Technology Development presented the instruments for financial support for the domestic companies to the members of the Macedonian Banking Association, which includes all banks and savings houses in the Republic of North Macedonia. The purpose of the FITD initiative is to find practical opportunities and models for additional funding that banks would offer to the companies to develop their business ideas and innovations.
Today, at the premises of the Macedonian Banking Association, another presentation was held in cooperation with the USAID factoring project and USAID’s eco system development project.
At the meeting with the members of the Macedonian Banking Association and the representatives of the National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia were discussed the National Bank’s draft decisions which are crucial for the banking sector.
The Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Mila Carovska, and her team promoted the new Law on Internship to the representatives of the members of the Macedonian Banking Association.
