https://eng.lsm.lv/ eng.lsm.lv en https://eng.lsm.lv//assets/logo/lsm_hi.png https://eng.lsm.lv/ https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/29.06.2026-golden-seeds-sown-by-latvian-central-bank.a653122/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 29 Jun 2026 11:43:03 GMT 653122 On Thursday, July 2, the Latvian Central Bank will issue another set of gold collector coins, "Golden Seeds". The coin set consists of five identical seed-shaped gold coins secured in one case. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/25.05.2026-latvian-central-bank-issues-fourth-crypto-licence.a648611/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 25 May 2026 10:26:00 GMT 648611 Latvijas Banka, the Latvian central bank (LB) issued a licence on May 20th to a company called Neverless for the provision of crypto-asset services https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/18.05.2026-bridal-crown-coin-released-by-latvian-central-bank.a647581/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 18 May 2026 08:56:00 GMT 647581 On Thursday, 21 May, Latvian central bank (Bank of Latvia) is issuing a silver collector coin "Bridal Crown". It depicts a sequin crown, adorned with six transparent crystals, the bank said in a release. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/13.05.2026-latvian-central-bank-made-eur27-million-profit-in-2025.a646930/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 13 May 2026 10:49:05 GMT 646930 The Latvian central bank, Bank of Latvia, earned 27.6 million euros in 2025, compared to a loss the previous year, according to the Bank of Latvia’s 2025 financial report. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/29.04.2026-latvian-central-bank-to-run-financial-literacy-campaign.a645074/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:56:49 GMT 645074 As part of an international project funded by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument, Latvijas Banka (the Latvian central bank/LB), in cooperation with the Central Bank of Lithuania (Lietuvos Bankas), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the European Commission, is developing an action plan aimed at strengthening digital financial literacy among the populations of Latvia and Lithuania, as well as their resilience against financial fraud. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/22.04.2026-flow-is-coin-of-year-2026-in-latvia.a644044/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:07:27 GMT 644044 In a public poll for the "Latvian Coin of the Year 2025," the silver collector's coin "Flow" was selected, featuring characters from Oscar-winning animated film that has captured the hearts of people around the world, according to the Latvian Central Bank (Bank of Latvia). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/15.04.2026-banks-open-new-branches-in-latvias-farther-regions.a642972/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:21:33 GMT 642972 This year, 21 bank branches have opened in cities across 12 municipalities – both brick-and-mortar branches and alternative channels where financial services can be accessed on demand, Latvian Radio reported on 15th April. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/04.04.2026-watch-the-digital-euro-in-a-fragmenting-world-ensuring-europes-resilience-and-autonomy-in-payments.a641689/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 04 Apr 2026 07:15:34 GMT 641689 Now available to watch online is a public lecture by Piero Cipollone, Member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank (ECB), organised by the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga (SSE Riga) and Latvijas Banka, the Latvian central bank. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/19.03.2026-ecbs-cipollone-to-deliver-riga-lecture.a639498/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 19 Mar 2026 08:06:01 GMT 639498 The Stockholm School of Economics in Riga (SSE Riga) and Latvijas Banka have announced a public lecture titled “The Digital Euro in a Fragmenting World: Ensuring Europe’s Resilience and Autonomy in Payments” to be delivered by Piero Cipollone, Member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/17.03.2026-bank-profits-down-33-in-2025-in-latvia.a639216/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:18:18 GMT 639216 According to data released by the Latvian central bank (Bank of Latvia), the Latvian banking sector posted a profit of 379.634 million euros last year, which is 33.3% less than in 2024. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/16.03.2026-some-interest-shown-in-new-specialised-credit-institution-licence.a638998/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 16 Mar 2026 08:11:26 GMT 638998 Amendments to the recently adopted Credit Institutions Law introduce a new category of financial market participant in Latvia – specialised credit institutions. According to the Fintech Latvia Association, at least 3–4 market participants have already expressed an interest in obtaining such a licence, and consultations with the Bank of Latvia are currently underway, reports Labs of Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/26.02.2026-luminor-posts-157-million-euro-profit-for-2025.a636473/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:37:21 GMT 636473 Baltic bank Luminor announced its preliminary financial results for 2025 on February 26th, reporting growth in lending and deposits. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/19.02.2026-latvias-strong-performance-in-tackling-money-laundering-commended.a635425/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:56:00 GMT 635425 The Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing monitoring body, MONEYVAL, on February 19th published a report assessing noting Latvia’s "strong overall performance in preventing and combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing."  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/11.02.2026-latvia-could-gain-another-home-grown-bank.a634117/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:11:51 GMT 634117 According to a statement posted by company co-founder Mārtiņš Šulte on LinkedIn, the Mintos investment platform has begun the necessary procedures to become a bank, reports Labs of Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/02.02.2026-bank-profits-in-latvia-last-year-down-345.a632628/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 02 Feb 2026 06:05:39 GMT 632628 Latvian monetary financial institutions (MFIs), mainly banks, earned a profit of €341.7 million last year, which is 34.5% less than in 2024, according to information published by the Latvian central bank (Bank of Latvia) on 2nd February. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/06.01.2026-latvian-central-bank-will-carry-out-12-on-site-regulatory-inspections-during-whole-of-2026.a628748/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 06 Jan 2026 09:48:38 GMT 628748 Latvia's central bank, Latvijas Banka, said in a release on January 6th that its financial market supervision priorities for 2026 would be "resilience and accessibility of financial services." https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/23.12.2025-lender-fined-by-consumer-watchdog.a627610/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 23 Dec 2025 11:18:36 GMT 627610 The Consumer Rights Protection Center (PTAC) has imposed a fine of 50,000 euros on loan company AS West Kredit for insufficiently assessing the solvency of borrowers before issuing loans. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/11.12.2025-latvian-central-bank-issues-first-two-crypto-licences.a625959/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 11 Dec 2025 08:42:00 GMT 625959 On 10th December, the Supervisory Committee of Latvijas Banka, the Latvian central bank, issued a license to a company called 'Nexdesk' for the provision of crypto-asset services. Nexdesk plans to provide its services both in Latvia and in other European Union (EU) countries. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/09.12.2025-change-at-the-top-of-luminor-bank.a625641/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 09 Dec 2025 09:45:05 GMT 625641 Baltic bank Luminor has announced the appointment of a new Chair of its Supervisory Councils. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/05.12.2025-new-silver-coin-to-flow-from-latvian-central-bank.a625216/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 05 Dec 2025 09:47:44 GMT 625216 On Wednesday, December 10th, the Latvian Central Bank (Bank of Latvia) will issue a silver collector coin entitled "Straume" (Flow), featuring characters from the Oscar-winning animated film that has captured the hearts of people around the world. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/04.12.2025-new-latvian-capital-fund-to-combine-growth-and-defence.a625104/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:17:09 GMT 625104 In cooperation with pension fund managers, the Ministry of Economics, the Finance Latvia Association, and the development finance institution Altum, have agreed on the creation of a new investment instrument — the Growth and Defence Fund, reports Labs of Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/03.12.2025-rietumu-banka-faces-potential-loss-of-russian-assets.a624848/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 03 Dec 2025 09:11:20 GMT 624848 Latvia's Rietumu Banka may lose assets worth 16 million euros in Russia, the bank has told the LETA newswire.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/27.11.2025-latvias-martins-kazaks-to-be-put-forward-for-senior-ecb-role.a624103/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 27 Nov 2025 15:05:00 GMT 624103 Latvian central bank governor Mārtiņš Kazāks will be put forward as a candidate to become Vice-President of the European Central Bank (ECB), the Latvian Ministry of Finance announced on November 27th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/12.11.2025-nordic-investment-bank-posts-solid-results-in-third-quarter.a622158/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 12 Nov 2025 08:13:01 GMT 622158 The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB), in which Latvia is one of the shareholders, reported what it called "solid financial results" for third quarter of 2025 on November 12th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/31.10.2025-special-coin-marks-500-years-of-latvian-books.a620587/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 31 Oct 2025 09:11:37 GMT 620587 On Tuesday, 4th November, Latvijas Banka, the Latvian central bank, is issuing a silver collector coin titled "Latvian Books – 500". https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/31.10.2025-banks-to-expand-branches-regionally-throughout-latvia.a620564/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 31 Oct 2025 07:28:41 GMT 620564 According to the requirements of the Latvian central bank, three of the largest commercial banks – Swedbank, SEB and Citadele – will expand their presence in the regions from next year, while Luminor Bank already has sufficient coverage of service centres in the country, LETA reported on 31 October. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/17.10.2025-latvia-hopes-to-grow-fintech-sector-by-30.a618775/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 17 Oct 2025 09:06:48 GMT 618775 In Latvia’s Fintech Sector Development Strategy for 2025–2027, prepared by the Ministry of Finance in cooperation with the Bank of Latvia, the country’s main goal is to become a competitive fintech hub in the Baltic and Nordic regions, reports Labs of Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/06.10.2025-latvian-central-bank-to-issue-selija-commemorative-coin.a617175/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 06 Oct 2025 09:13:22 GMT 617175 On Thursday, 9th October, Latvijas Banka, the Latvian central bank, will issue a 2 euro commemorative coin depicting the coat of arms of the country's Sēlija region, concluding a series of 2 euro commemorative coins, each honouring one of Latvia's five historical regions. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/02.10.2025-expect-extra-verification-of-bank-payments-from-next-week.a616698/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 02 Oct 2025 08:43:36 GMT 616698 A requirement to verify the name and account number before a bank payment will become applicable from next week, the Latvian central bank (Latvijas banka, LB) is reminding people. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/02.10.2025-latvians-less-likely-to-be-savers-than-estonians-and-lithuanians.a616693/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 02 Oct 2025 08:26:38 GMT 616693 Latvian residents save for unforeseen expenses less often than in neighbouring countries, according to a survey conducted on behalf of Luminor bank. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/01.10.2025-most-banks-in-latvia-will-get-rebate-on-solidarity-payments-this-year.a616505/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 01 Oct 2025 05:56:57 GMT 616505 Most banks will qualify for more or less discounts on solidarity contributions this year, the Latvian Central Bank (Bank of Latvia) told LETA. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/17.09.2025-swedbank-to-reduce-maximum-cash-withdrawal-limit.a614672/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 17 Sep 2025 05:58:09 GMT 614672 Swedbank plans to reduce the cash withdrawal limit to EUR 750 per day. The bank has explained this as a security measure and a fight against fraudsters, Latvian Radio reported on 17 September. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/04.09.2025-rietumu-banka-reports-first-half-figures.a613021/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 04 Sep 2025 08:33:32 GMT 613021 Latvian bank Rietumu Banka has published its results for the first half of the year. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/02.09.2025-latvia-fintech-forum-coming-at-end-of-september.a612686/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 02 Sep 2025 08:19:20 GMT 612686 On September 30th Rīga will host the fourth Latvia Fintech Forum that will bring together fintech policy makers and fintech ecosystem stakeholders from the Baltic States and other European countries. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/01.09.2025-nib-chief-has-his-term-extended-until-2029.a612611/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 01 Sep 2025 15:37:38 GMT 612611 The Board of Directors of the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB), in which Latvia has a stake, has extended the appointment of its Estonian President and CEO André Küüsvek until the end of August 2029. Küüsvek has served as President since April 2021. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/29.08.2025-luminor-reports-46-million-euro-profit-in-second-quarter.a612232/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 29 Aug 2025 08:36:38 GMT 612232 Baltic bank Luminor announced its financial results for 2Q25 on August 29th, reporting a profit after tax of 46.2 million EUR in the quarter as compared to 45.1 million EUR in the same period last year. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/26.08.2025-latvian-cabbage-coin-acclaimed-in-america.a611801/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 26 Aug 2025 12:22:20 GMT 611801 A collector coin with the unpretentious name "Cabbage", issued by Latvijas Banka (the Latvian central bank) in 2024, has been announced as the winner in the category 'Best Silver Coin' at the Coin of the Year awards organised by Krause Publications, the US numismatics publishing house, and its magazine World Coin News. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/14.08.2025-nordic-investment-bank-reports-solid-first-half-results.a610377/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 14 Aug 2025 09:02:06 GMT 610377 The Nordic Investmet Bank (NIB), in which Latvia has a stake, recorded what it said was a "solid" financial result during the first half of the year.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/01.08.2025-banks-ponder-changes-to-client-language-provision-rules.a608854/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 01 Aug 2025 08:28:18 GMT 608854 The right to receive all financial services in the Latvian language is provided for by changes to the Credit Institutions Law, which came into force in July. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/31.07.2025-op-corporate-bank-posts-first-half-of-year-latvian-results.a608755/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 31 Jul 2025 12:35:00 GMT 608755 OP Corporate Bank plc has announced its financial results for the first half of 2025 in Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/16.07.2025-latvian-bank-claims-baltic-first-with-new-bond-fund.a607056/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 16 Jul 2025 15:24:00 GMT 607056 The investment management company Signet Asset Management Latvia, part of Signet Bank Group, said July 16th it has established a "first fund of its kind in the Baltic region", namely,  an open-ended mutual fund called Signet Baltic Bond Fund. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/15.07.2025-dont-put-down-drugs-as-payment-details-bank-urges.a606826/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 15 Jul 2025 06:41:17 GMT 606826 Thousands of money transfers are made through banks daily, while several hundred payments are stopped for additional scrutiny. Often, one of the reasons for a transaction being held is that the purpose or details of the payment are incorrectly stated, according to Luminor Bank's release on 15 July. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/07.07.2025-latvian-central-bank-publishes-third-climate-change-report.a605896/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 07 Jul 2025 14:12:54 GMT 605896 Latvijas Banka, the Latvian central bank, has released its third annual report on Climate-Related Disclosures for its non-monetary policy portfolios, which it says reaffirms its "commitment to transparency, sustainability, and the integration of climate considerations into its investment practices." https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/07.07.2025-cash-remains-king-for-many-latvians.a605878/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 07 Jul 2025 12:55:00 GMT 605878 Though people in Latvia are gradually moving away from using cash it remains a very popular payment method in Latvia, according to the 2025 retail report from financial technology platform Adyen, reports Labs of Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/12.06.2025-nib-opens-public-consultation-on-defence-financing.a603059/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 12 Jun 2025 14:47:11 GMT 603059 The Nordic Investment Bank’s Board of Directors today approved the start of a 30-day public consultation on changes to the NIB Sustainability Policy Exclusion List. The proposed revision permits NIB (in which Latvia is a shareholder) to finance conventional weapons and ammunition, while excluding producers of 'controversial' weapons. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/12.06.2025-collector-coin-to-mark-400-years-of-liepajas-history.a603003/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 12 Jun 2025 10:51:56 GMT 603003 On Tuesday, 17 June, Latvijas Banka, the Latvian central bank, will be issuing a new silver collector coin named "Sun and Wind" to mark the 400th anniversary of the city of Liepāja. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/22.05.2025-indexo-starts-offering-mortgage-loans.a600073/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 22 May 2025 08:07:00 GMT 600073 Indexo will begin mortgage lending on Thursday, 22 May, initially offering refinancing for existing loans. The range of loans available will then be gradually expanded. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/19.05.2025-latvian-central-bank-offers-small-square-gold-collector-coin.a599614/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 19 May 2025 10:32:32 GMT 599614 Thursday, May 22nd will see the Latvian central bank, Latvijas Banka (LB), issue its latest collector coin, which it says represents something "ultimately priceless" but will retail for 175 euros. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/16.05.2025-latvia-to-host-ebrd-meeting-in-2026.a599332/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 16 May 2025 11:34:00 GMT 599332 The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Government of Latvia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding confirming the holding of the EBRD 2026 Annual Meeting in Rīga from the 5th to the 7th of June, 2026. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/15.05.2025-luminor-bank-posts-first-quarter-figures.a599207/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 16 May 2025 08:39:16 GMT 599207 Baltic bank Luminor announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2025 on May 15, reporting a profit after tax of 45.4 million euros in the quarter as compared to 66.8 million euros in the same period last year.