Banks warn of possible payment interruptions before 9 November
Planned weekend technical updates ahead of new denar payment standards may temporarily limit some bank services, especially transfers.
Banks across North Macedonia will run planned technical updates over the coming weekend as they prepare to implement new standards for denar payments that take effect on Monday, 9 November. The Macedonian Banking Association warned that some services — most notably payment transfers — may be temporarily interrupted or have reduced availability during the adjustments.
What is changing and why
The upgrades are designed to align banks' systems with recently announced regulatory changes. The measures include new payment orders, new codes for the purpose of payment, and the presentation and use of account numbers in IBAN format.
“The purpose of the adjustments is to ensure the uninterrupted implementation of the changes in the everyday use of payment services,” the Macedonian Banking Association said.
The exact timing of the technical work, which specific services will be affected and how long any restrictions might last will be published by individual banks in separate notices to their clients.
The Association urged both households and businesses to monitor official communications from their banks and to schedule any payments planned for the weekend in advance.
Existing account numbers will remain unchanged; banks themselves will implement the switch to displaying and using accounts in IBAN format within their internet and mobile banking channels.
Photo: press material from the event
