Banks http://www.banks.am/ Բիզնես լուրեր Հայաստանից, ֆինանսական լուրեր, բանկեր, աշխատատեղեր, դոլար, եվրո, փոխարժեքներ en-us Fri, 14 Aug 2026 21:33:04 +0400 <![CDATA[ Idram & IDBank: Financial Literacy at the Republican Center for Children and Youth Tent Camp ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31119 https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31119 This summer, with the support of Idram and IDBank, 200 children of the “Republican Center for Children and Youth” SNCO from Yerevan and different regions of Armenia once again participated in the Children and Youth Sports and Tourism Tent Camp.
The company reported that from August 11 to 16, the children had the opportunity to combine active recreation with gaining new knowledge. They learned how to navigate challenging terrain, became familiar with the basics of first aid, while one of the camp days was dedicated to financial literacy. 

Together with Tatevik Vardevanyan, Head of Communications and CSR Programs Department at Idram and IDBank, the children discussed the key principles of proper financial management, cashless payments, and financial security.

For the second consecutive year, Idram and IDBank have financed the camp as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility programs. Developing financial and digital literacy among children is one of the key areas of the companies’ social responsibility.

The “Financially Literate with Idram & IDBank” campaign, implemented across various educational institutions and camps, continues to help children acquire essential financial knowledge and skills from an early age that they can apply in their everyday lives.

Idram and IDBank are supervised by the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia. ]]> Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:14:00 +0400 <![CDATA[ Unlocking the secrets of the financial world at “Hayordi” Camp with Idram&IDBank ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31115 https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31115 Bank accounts, payment cards, deposits – to explain these and several other concepts and answer the kids’ most burning financial questions, Idram and IDBank this time visited “Hayordi” Camp.
Since 2021, “Hayordi” Camp has been welcoming children of fallen servicemen every year, with their number now reaching 1,500.

This year, around 300 children took part in the financial sessions, learning how banks operate and how cashless transactions work. The workshops stood out for their high energy and endless questions – the kids were eager to learn everything from what to do if a card is lost to the proper steps to take if they accidentally find someone else’s payment card. At the end of the session, Idram and IDBank surprised all the participants, rewarding the most active ones with exclusive gifts.

According to Gevorg Darakhchyan, Senior Trainer at IDBank, proper money management is an essential skill that should be cultivated from an early age.

“It is vital for us to deliver the material through real-life examples. This helps children better understand how to plan their personal budget and save money effectively. In this regard, the Idram Junior app is a great tool – it enables kids to make payments under parental supervision while building a healthy saving culture. Plus, the Junius financial tournament within the app makes learning interactive and fun, giving children the opportunity to receive valuable prizes,” noted Gevorg Darakhchyan.

Vache Vardanyan, founder of the “Hayordi” Charitable Foundation, highly praised the cooperation with Idram and IDBank.

“Over the years, we have implemented numerous joint projects with the companies. This year, financial literacy workshops were held in 3 phases at the Hayordi Camp, engaging around 300 children. As a result, they learned what financial literacy is, how to stay safe from fraud, and how to manage their personal finances,” emphasized Vache Vardanyan.

Idram and IDBank companies are supervised by the CBA. ]]> Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:02:00 +0400 <![CDATA[ How AI Could Reinforce Dollar Dominance ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/articles/31104 https://banks.am/en/news/articles/31104 Chenxu Fu is an economist at the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO). 

Xianguo Huang is Senior Economist at the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO).

The signing of a 20-year data-center lease probably does not register as a monetary event. Even the announcement of a dollar-pegged stablecoin linked to the AI boom would not necessarily be given this label. But such developments are proliferating—and contributing to the formation of a system in which a critical input for the global economy is priced, paid for, and ultimately recycled into dollar assets.

This is not a new concept. Since the 1970s, the pricing of oil in US dollars has increased global demand for the currency and generated export revenues for oil producers, which often directed them toward US markets. But the petrodollar is a template, not a prophecy. It shows that when production, payments, and asset-recycling reinforce one another, an indispensable input can embed a currency in global markets.

AI might generate its own version of this dynamic. Discussions about who will “win” in the AI economy often focus on the race to build the most advanced models. But the true transformation begins when model performance converges, and companies integrate AI into everyday operations. At that point, just as we talk about dollars per barrel today, we may find ourselves considering dollars per unit of compute.

Energy underlies this metric. AI is far from weightless. Data centers convert electricity into billable computing capacity, which is now being secured years in advance. When Anthropic signs a 20-year lease with TeraWulf, an infrastructure provider, it looks a lot like an industrial firm securing long-term production capacity. This is a supply-side wager that demand for compute will persist.


The demand side may well reward that bet. To be sure, though many firms are experimenting with AI, few have reengineered their operations around it. But OpenAI’s new consulting arm Deployment Company (DeployCo) aims to change this by embedding engineers within companies to integrate AI into their workflows. Once such systems are in place, compute will become a recurring operating expense.

This brings us to the first channel that will reinforce dollar dominance. If the AI supply chain is dominated by US-linked firms and priced in dollars, global digital production will have to source dollar liquidity, and the revenues will land inside a largely dollar-based financial system. Unlike oil revenues, these proceeds would not accumulate abroad before being recycled into US markets.

But the invoice is only the visible layer. Beneath it, invisible infrastructure is forming: the payment rail on which agentic commerce will increasingly run. OpenAI’s partnership with Visa, which aims to build this infrastructure, points to a more programmable future. Should AI agents begin procuring services, arranging logistics, and reordering inventory with minimal human intervention, payments must be automated and machine-native.

This is the second channel that will reinforce dollar dominance. Dollar-pegged stablecoins, in particular, could provide the programmable settlement that agentic commerce requires. The announcement of Open USD—a dollar-pegged stablecoin with the backing of more than 140 payment, financial, and crypto firms—signals that dollar tokens are already being positioned for this transformation.

The two channels could eventually merge. The same rail that enables programmatic settlement of agentic commerce through dollar-pegged stablecoins could facilitate compute payments as easily as any other. Dollar invoicing would thus be combined with stablecoin settlement, turning technological dependence into monetary dependence.

In principle, tokenized deposits or central bank digital currencies could do the same job as dollar-pegged stablecoins. But payment systems reward early network effects. The question is not whether dollar stablecoins are the only option, but whether they become the first to work efficiently across borders at scale.

This infrastructure also recycles, as demand for programmable dollars is translated into demand for the safe assets that back them—notably, US Treasuries. Agentic commerce has barely gotten off the ground, and already stablecoin issuers rank among the largest buyers of Treasury bills.

Collectively, these developments point to the possible emergence of an energy-compute dollar loop. Electricity powers data centers; data centers produce compute; compute enables the automation of business activity, including payments that favor programmable settlement; and stablecoin reserves flow into US Treasuries. The result would be a self-reinforcing cycle linking AI infrastructure, digital payments, and US financial markets.

Remarkably, no government appears to be orchestrating this process. Whereas the petrodollar was built on official agreements, its AI-based successor is being constructed largely through commercial decisions. Cloud providers secure land and power. AI firms package models into services. Payment groups construct stablecoin rails. Stablecoin issuers purchase Treasuries. Each step is logical on its own; together, they quietly reinforce dollar dominance.


This has important implications for policymakers outside the United States—particularly in countries that have spent years trying to reduce their dependence on the dollar. The ASEAN+3 countries, for example, have sought to settle trade in local currencies, link national payment systems, and pool reserves to protect against dollar shortages.

While the ASEAN+3 cannot prevent the self-reinforcing dollar loop from forming, they can limit their dependence on it. The key will be to combine energy, AI, and payments into a single strategic agenda. Regional data centers, powered by affordable and increasingly clean energy, could increase local firms’ access to compute. And the development of local-currency tokenized settlement for agentic commerce would reduce dependence on dollar systems and keep transactions visible to regulators.

The goal for other countries is not full technological self-sufficiency, which is probably not possible any time soon. Rather, it is to participate in digital production without accepting a new layer of dollar dependence as the price of entry. After all, unlike petrodollar arrangements, the emerging AI system offers countries no seat at any summit table.

While policymakers and economists debate the future of dollar dominance, AI companies, cloud providers, and payment networks might already be writing it into the next chapter of international monetary history. Those who hope to shape that chapter must act now—or risk being left off the page.

Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2026.
www.project-syndicate.org  ]]> Wed, 12 Aug 2026 22:35:00 +0400 <![CDATA[ “The Power of One Dram” to “Orran” Charitable Non-Governmental Organization ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31106 https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31106 The July beneficiary of “The Power of One Dram” initiative was “My Forest Armenia” environmental non-governmental organization. The accumulated AMD 5,094,763 was directed to the implementation of large-scale tree planting and forest restoration, contributing to the preservation of local biodiversity.
The August beneficiary of the initiative is “Orran” NGO, which provides care, education, and shelter to underprivileged children and elderly people living alone, as well as support to families in crisis. The accumulated one drams will enable the organization to provide its beneficiary children with the necessary school clothes and stationery ahead of the new academic year. 

Tatevik Vardevanyan, Head of Communication and CSR Programs Department at Idram and IDBank, highlighted the significance of this collaboration.

“The new academic year marks the beginning of dreams and a great journey for every child, and our goal is to ensure that no child is deprived of this joy due to social inequality. We are happy that thanks to ‘The Power of One Dram’ initiative, the children supported by ‘Orran’ will start the school year fully prepared, with necessary school clothing and stationery. This best demonstrates that public unity and care can drive real change,” noted Tatevik Vardevanyan.

According to Armine Hovhannisyan, Founder of “Orran” NGO, such collaborations contribute to expanding support provided to vulnerable groups in society.

“We highly value our cooperation with Idram and IDBank. The funds received within the framework of ‘The Power of One Dram’ initiative will be directed toward providing ‘Orran’ children with school clothing and stationery ahead of September 1st. Built on shared values and mutual trust, this partnership allows us to extend a helping hand to all those who need our support,” said Armine Hovhannisyan.

“‘The Power of One Dram’ initiative continues to support impactful social, community, and educational projects. To become part of the initiative’s good deeds, customers simply need to make payments via the Idram&IDBank app, the IDBanking.am and banking.idram.am online platforms, or Idram and IDBank payment terminals. For every payment made, the companies donate one Armenian dram to support socially significant initiatives,” the news release reads.

IDBank and Idram are supervised by the CBA. ]]> Wed, 12 Aug 2026 14:07:00 +0400 <![CDATA[ IDBank held Customer Appreciation Day at Erebuni branch ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31103 https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31103 IDBank’s initiative dedicated to thanking customers and surprising them without any special occasion was held at the “Erebuni” Branch. Hosting the traditional Customer Appreciation Day at different branches is an important part of the Bank’s mission to stay closer to its customers.
According to Seda Avagyan, Head of the Customer Experience Management Department at IDBank, the project has received a strong response from customers, placing an even greater responsibility on the Bank to remain consistent both in improving service quality and in landscaping and enhancing the surrounding areas.


 
“As a socially responsible organization, IDBank considers it essential not only to provide high-quality financial services, but also to demonstrate ongoing care for the environment in which it operates. The Bank remains committed to improving and landscaping the areas surrounding its branches and creating a clean and well-maintained environment, believing that genuine care is reflected in every detail - both inside the service hall and beyond it,” said Seda Avagyan.

Customers visiting the branch for their regular banking transactions were welcomed with a lucky wheel, offering the chance to win idcoins (1 idcoin = AMD 1), sweet treats, and a festive atmosphere that added a special touch to their visit.

Artavazd Mkrtumyan, Manager of the “Erebuni” Branch, also highlighted the importance of the day, thanking customers for their unconditional trust and for choosing IDBank.

 “Every day, our branch is pleased to serve many customers who value direct, personal interaction. Through this warm atmosphere and pleasant surprises, we want to emphasize once again how much we value our customers. We will continue to do everything possible to ensure that our service always remains at a high level and fully meets our customers’ expectations,” said Artavazd Mkrtumyan.

Customer Appreciation Day will continue to bring new surprises to customers at various IDBank branches. ]]> Wed, 12 Aug 2026 09:53:00 +0400 <![CDATA[ 40 billion AMD Government bonds allocation auction took place on AMX ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/capital_market/31102 https://banks.am/en/news/capital_market/31102 A 40,000,000,000 AMD government bond allocation auction took place on the Armenia Stock Exchange.
AMX reported that in particular: for the AMGN60294318 ISIN and a 5-year maturity offered at auction amounted to 40,000,000,000 AMD which has been fully allocated, while the demand reached 69,370,000,000 AMD. The average weighted yield at the auction was 7.4768%, and the annual coupon yield is 7.6%.

Government bonds are available both on the Armenia Stock Exchange trading platform and online via gp.minfin.am.

Details of the auctions can be found here. ]]> Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:18:00 +0400 <![CDATA[ Armenia simplifies the use of electronic money ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31098 https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31098 A resolution adopted by the Central Bank of Armenia has introduced changes to the regulations governing the issuance and use of electronic money, aimed at creating a more efficient and competitive environment.
The Central Bank reports:

“In accordance with the changes, the mandatory requirement to have a bank account or payment card in order to open an electronic money account (wallet) has been abolished. At the same time, electronic money accounts can now be funded and closed not only through non-cash transactions but also with cash. 

Under the new approach, customer identification will be carried out in accordance with the due diligence procedures prescribed by current legislation, ensuring full compliance with the requirements of the Law ‘On Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing.’

As a result of the new regulations, electronic money has become significantly more accessible to customers. Its use is now faster and more convenient, particularly for those who do not have bank accounts or payment cards.

The changes also create a more competitive and level playing field for payment and settlement organizations, giving them greater opportunities to expand their range of services and reduce their operational dependence on banking infrastructure.

It is expected that these changes will increase the use of electronic money, promote greater competition in the market, and create a more efficient and inclusive payment environment.” ]]> Tue, 11 Aug 2026 09:07:00 +0400 <![CDATA[ Results of the Junius Tournament Announced: The Next Round Ahead ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31097 https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31097 Precise mathematical calculations, financial skills, and boundless enthusiasm: another round of the Junius Financial Tournament has come to an end.
During the official award ceremony, participants who collected the highest number of crystals and were recognized as the best in their respective age groups, received valuable prizes.

Tatevik Vardevanyan, Head of Communications and Social Responsibility Programs at IDBank and Idram, highlighted the steadily growing interest among children in the Junius tournament.

“By participating in the Junius tournament, children gain knowledge about finance and solve mathematical problems, making it a fantastic way to spend the summer holidays productively”, said Tatevik Vardevanyan. 

The tournament winners received a range of valuable prizes, marking the beginning of their future success. 

The launch of the new round of the Junius Financial Tournament will be announced very soon. The Financial Tournament is open to schoolchildren across Armenia in grades 3-8. To win, participants must complete levels 1 to 50 as fast as possible while earning the maximum number of points. 

The Idram Junior app is designed for users aged 8–16. It allows children to use cashless funds, make contactless payments, save money, and develop financial literacy, while giving parents the ability to monitor their children’s financial activities through a modern and secure tool.
 
The company is supervised by the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia. ]]> Mon, 10 Aug 2026 17:25:00 +0400 <![CDATA[ Revolut awarded full-fat European banking licence ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/fintech/31095 https://banks.am/en/news/fintech/31095 Revolut has been awarded a full European banking licence by French regulators, with approval rubber-stamped by the European Central bank. The approval of the European Central bank is siggnifcant, coming a year after it moved to rein in Revolut's rapid expansion across the continent, fearful that the super-app's growth was outpacing its internal controls, Finextra reports. 
The restriction specifically targeted Revolut’s ability to introduce new services within the EEA, temporarily barring the firm's Lithuanian banking arm from launching new products.

European regulators required the London-based neobank to overhaul its product approval processes after identifying shortcomings in governance, risk management and compliance structures.

The new licence comes as Revolut deepens its roots across Western Europe. Over the last year, the company has committed to investing over €1B+ in the region, is hiring more than 600 people across its Western European markets, and has confirmed the 2027 opening of its new Western European HQ in Paris.

Western Europe is Revolut's largest and fastest-growing region, with about 30 million customers, including close to eight million who joined over the past year alone.

The new banking unit will begin by serving customers in France before progressively expanding across other European markets including Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

Revolut's Lithuanian entity, Revolut Bank UAB, remains a cornerstone of operations for the rest of EEA. This dual-hub model in Europe is designed to support Revolut's scale across the continent.

Nik Storonsky, founder and CEO of Revolut, comments: 

“This licence gives us the foundation to build the next generation of banking for more than 30 million customers across Western Europe. France has become a leading financial hub, supported by a dynamic financial ecosystem and a robust regulatory framework. It is the ideal platform to accelerate Revolut's next phase of growth - bringing us one step closer to our ambition of becoming one of Europe's largest and most trusted banks."

The partner of Fintech section is   ]]> Mon, 10 Aug 2026 16:14:00 +0400 <![CDATA[ Moody’s upgrades Nairi Insurance’s rating to Ba3 with a stable outlook ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31093 https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31093 Moody’s, a prestigious international credit rating agency, has upgraded the rating of Nairi Insurance Company to Ba3 from B1, with a stable outlook. The upgrade comes alongside an improvement in Armenia’s sovereign rating outlook. 
According to Moody’s,  the upgrade of Nairi Insurance’s insurance financial strength ratings to Ba3 from B1, and its stable outlook, reflects an improved operating environment as well as a strengthening in the company’s asset quality, capital adequacy and profitability.

It is noted that Nairi Insurance ranked first in terms of insurance premiums collected based on the results of both its 2025 annual report and the first half of 2026. 

The company received its first Moody’s rating in 2023 – B1 with a stable outlook – becoming the first and, to date, the only insurance company in Armenia to receive a rating from a leading international rating agency. 

“The upgrade in our rating is not only an assessment of Nairi Insurance’s stable financial performance, transparent operations, dynamic development, and effective strategy, but also an important foundation for continuing the company’s development while contributing to the advancement and strengthening of the insurance culture and services in our country,” the company said in a news release.  ]]> Mon, 10 Aug 2026 14:57:00 +0400 <![CDATA[ Central Asia Fintech Summit 2026 to take place on September 11 in Almaty ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/fintech/31092 https://banks.am/en/news/fintech/31092 The Central Asia Fintech Summit 2026 will take place on September 11 in Almaty.
The summit is organized by the National Bank of Kazakhstan, the National Payment Corporation, and the Kazakhstan Fintech Network.

The main topic of CAFS 2026 is “The Age of Trust: What Will the Financial Market Look Like in the Next Decade?”

Participants will discuss the development of next-generation payment systems, digital financial services, and opportunities for cross-border transactions.

Artificial intelligence will be one of the key topics of CAFS 2026. Summit participants will explore not only the development of the technology but also its applications in the real economy, ranging from financial services and data analysis to processes that currently require significant human resources.

The program will also cover the evolution of supervisory technologies and measures to combat financial fraud.

The partner of Fintech section is   ]]> Mon, 10 Aug 2026 09:47:00 +0400 <![CDATA[ Mher Ananyan joins Unibank's Management Board ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31091 https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31091 According to the decision of the Board of Unibank OJSC dated August 3, 2026, Mher Ananyan has been appointed Acting First Deputy Chairman of the Management Board.  
Mher Ananyan has more than 30 years of professional experience in the banking and financial sector. Throughout his career, he has held a number of senior executive positions in Armenia’s financial institutions and public administration. From 1996 to 2003, he worked at several Armenian banks, including Armeconombank, Armagrobank and Unibank, holding various positions. From 2020 to 2026, he served as CЕО, Chairman of the Management Board of Araratbank OJSC.

Mher Ananyan’s extensive professional experience and strong leadership skills will make a valuable contribution to Unibank’s strategic development and the achievement of the Bank’s long-term objectives. ]]> Fri, 07 Aug 2026 17:40:00 +0400 <![CDATA[ IDBank warns of hotel booking scams ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31089 https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31089 The vacation season traditionally becomes a peak time not only for tourists, but also for scammers. One of the most dangerous schemes in recent years targets users of hotel booking services. What makes it particularly dangerous is that the scammers’ message may arrive through an official communication channel and contain real details about your trip.
Mechanics of the Scam: From Hacking a Hotel System to Stealing Money

•    Hacking the Hotel System: Scammers gain access to the hotel’s operational system, which employees use to manage bookings on Booking.com. As a result, the criminals can see real customer data: names, selected hotels, dates of stay, and other information.
•    A Convincing Message: After gaining access to this data, the scammers send the customer a message through Booking.com’s built-in chat, meaning that it appears to come directly from the hotel via an official communication channel. The message states that an error occurred while verifying the bank card and that the reservation may be canceled unless the customer urgently confirms their payment details.
•    A Fake Payment Page: The link leads to a website visually indistinguishable from the real Booking.com - featuring the same room photos, identical branding, and sometimes even fake notifications claiming that “nearby hotels are fully booked.”
•    Theft of Money: As soon as the victim enters their bank card details, the information goes straight to the scammers and can be used to drain their funds.

The official communication channel is precisely what makes this scheme so dangerous: messages arrive directly within the actual Booking.com app and contain the exact dates and details of your trip, making them far more convincing than a standard scam message. 

Urgency serves as an additional pressure tactic. You are told that your reservation will be canceled immediately and that almost no rooms are left. Fearing the loss of their long-awaited vacation, the victim enters their details before even having a chance to double-check the link.

Legal Trap

If a user manually enters their card details on a phishing page and then confirms the transaction with a one-time SMS code, banking systems view the payment as authorized by the cardholder. Blocking the transaction or recovering the stolen funds in such situations is extremely difficult.

IDBank recommends:

•    Do not follow links contained in booking emails or messages. Open Booking.com only via the official app or by manually typing the web address into your browser.
•    Check the website address. The legitimate domain is booking.com. Any variations involving hyphens or extra words are a red flag for fraud.
•    If in doubt, call the hotel directly. Do not continue communication through the built-in Booking.com chat: if the system has been hacked, that is precisely where scammers are reading the messages.
•    Never re-enter your card details for “verification.” Legitimate booking services never ask you to confirm a card already linked to your account via a link in a message.
•    If you have already entered card details on a suspicious site, contact your bank immediately: prompt card blocking may prevent unauthorized withdrawals.

The bank is supervised by the CBA. ]]> Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:41:00 +0400 <![CDATA[ The classification of hotels to be carried out by the Armenian Hotel Association ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31088 https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31088 From now on, the classification of hotels in Armenia will be carried out by the Armenian Hotel Association.
“After nearly four years of negotiations, legislative amendments, and the united efforts of the hospitality sector, the long-awaited result has finally been achieved,” the Association reported.

The Armenian Hotel Association NGO has been selected by the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Armenia as the association authorized to grant classifications to accommodation establishments (AEs). 

The Association will carry out the classification of hotels and other accommodation establishments based on European standards, applying the criteria of Hotelstars Union, the renowned pan-European hotel classification organization.

On this occasion, Hotelstars Union President Markus Luthe sent a congratulatory message to the Armenian Hotel Association, a long-standing member of the Union.

“On behalf of the entire Hotelstars Union, I would like to warmly congratulate the Armenian Hotel Association on its successful bid. Winning this tender is a remarkable achievement and a clear testament to the association’s professionalism, credibility and dedication to advancing quality standards in hospitality. 

The introduction of Hotelstars in Armenia is an important step towards greater transparency, comparability and guest confidence in the accommodation sector. For hotels, it provides a recognized quality benchmark, greater market visibility and clearer positioning in an increasingly competitive international tourism market. To ensure a smooth and successful implementation process, HotellerieSuisse, acting in close consultation with the Hotelstars Union, will support the Armenian Hotel Association with its extensive classification expertise and practical experience,” said Markus Luthe, President of Hotelstars Union. ]]> Fri, 07 Aug 2026 14:53:00 +0400 <![CDATA[ 1798 transactions concluded in corporate bonds market in July ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/capital_market/31086 https://banks.am/en/news/capital_market/31086 Armenia Stock Exchange (AMX) has maintained a dynamic trading environment during July, highlighting growing investor confidence and market activity.
On the primary auction platform of AMX, the allocation volume of government bonds was more than 87․1 billion AMD. Meanwhile, 70 transactions were conducted on the secondary market, with a total volume of more than 25.8 billion AMD, which exceeds the figure for the same period of the previous year by 759%.

In the corporate bonds market, trading volume increased by 118% compared to the same period last year, reaching approximately 16.5 billion AMD. During the reporting period, 1798 transactions were concluded involving 208 corporate bonds listed on the exchange as of the end of July. 

During the current month, a corporate bond placement auction was conducted, with a total volume exceeding 2.3 billion AMD. This steady growth reflects healthy demand for corporate bonds.

The trade volume of equity reached approximately 207.4 million AMD and the market capitalization approximately 426 billion AMD. A total of 250 transactions were concluded with shares.

The volume of REPO agreements has been more than 32.1 billion AMD. A total of 218 repo transactions were conducted in July, exceeding the same period last year by 548%.

On the AMX FX platform, 6 transactions were executed with a total volume of approximately 779.2 million AMD. During the month, the exchange rate price ranged between 367 and 367․9 AMD.

Comparative charts of monthly data can be viewed on the official AMX website. ]]> Fri, 07 Aug 2026 11:26:00 +0400 <![CDATA[ Moody’s changes the outlook on IDBank’s ratings to positive ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31084 https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31084 Moody’s Ratings has changed the outlook on IDBank’s long-term deposit ratings to positive from stable.
Moody’s recently affirmed IDBank’s long-term deposit ratings at Ba3, as well as the Bank’s ba3 Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA) and Adjusted BCA, highlighting its solid capital and liquidity buffers, high profitability and continued improvement in asset quality.

“The positive outlook reflects the improving operating environment in Armenia, which could contribute to a further upgrade of the bank’s ratings. According to Moody’s, IDBank will maintain strong solvency and liquidity over the next 12-18 months,” the news release reads.

IDBank’s long-term deposit ratings and Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA) are at the same level as the sovereign issuer rating of Armenia.

The bank is supervised by the CBA. ]]> Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:59:00 +0400 <![CDATA[ Overchuk speaks of “dramatic drop” in Russia-Armenia trade ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31083 https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31083 Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said that trade between Russia and Armenia is “declining dramatically.” “The situation unfolding in relations between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Armenia was predictable. Over the past three to four years, we have been warning our Armenian colleagues about these risks, particularly the risk of a decline in trade,” TASS quoted Overchuk as saying.

“In 2024, trade between Russia and Armenia reached a record high of around $12 billion, which was an enormous figure. Last year, it dropped to about $8 billion. This year, trade has fallen even more sharply, shrinking by about two-thirds compared to 2025. Given the current situation, it is clear that the decline will continue,” the Russian deputy prime minister said. ]]> Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:15:00 +0400 <![CDATA[ EY Armenia: Recent Tax Changes will Significantly Affect Businesses in Armenia ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/articles/31080 https://banks.am/en/news/articles/31080 Armenia has introduced a broad package of tax legislative changes that will affect businesses across multiple industries, including e-commerce, retail, manufacturing, tourism, jewelry production, and cross-border operations. 
While some amendments are already in force, others will take effect from 1 January 2027 and may require companies to review their tax reporting, compliance processes, and accounting methodologies.

“The recent amendments represent one of the most extensive packages of tax changes adopted during the year. Companies should carefully assess how the new rules may affect their tax compliance, reporting processes and business operations, particularly in areas such as e-commerce, tax administration and foreign currency transactions accounting,” said Kamo Karapetyan, Partner and Head of Tax Practice at EY Armenia.

What's new?

New VAT framework for EAEU e-commerce marketplaces

One of the most notable changes concerns the taxation of cross-border electronic commerce within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Under the new rules, electronic marketplace operators may become responsible for calculating, reporting, and remitting Armenian VAT on certain cross-border B2C sales to consumers in Armenia, regardless of VAT registration thresholds. The new rules will enter into force on 1 January 2027 and are expected to impact online platforms and businesses engaged in cross-border e-commerce.

Special VAT regime for gold and jewelry industry

Armenia has introduced a new VAT mechanism for manufacturers and traders of gold and jewelry. 

Instead of taxing the entire sales value, VAT will generally be calculated based on the value added during production or resale, bringing taxation more closely in line with the economic substance of these transactions.

Expanded Powers for Tax Authorities

Businesses may also face increased scrutiny from tax authorities.

Tax authorities now have broader powers during thematic reviews and may initiate up to three reviews per year in certain circumstances. The changes are designed to strengthen tax compliance oversight and expand the authority's ability to verify taxpayer positions.

Tax professionals note that companies should ensure their internal records, supporting documentation and tax reporting procedures are sufficiently robust to withstand increased review activity.

Higher criminal liability thresholds for tax offences

Another important development concerns tax-related criminal liability.

The monetary thresholds triggering criminal liability for tax violations have been significantly increased. As a result, many lower-value tax disputes may be addressed primarily through tax administration measures, including additional assessments, penalties, and fines.

Foreign currency accounting reform and other amendments

The reform package extends beyond VAT and tax administration matters.

Among other changes, the legislative package revises the tax accounting rules for foreign currency transactions, expands opportunities for transaction adjustments and goods returns, introduces new VAT exemptions, and includes various changes affecting profit tax, VAT administration, and non-resident taxation.

Businesses engaged in international transactions and foreign currency operations may be particularly affected by the updated accounting methodology and exchange rate application rules.

Why it matters for businesses

According to EY Armenia, the reforms could require companies to:

• Review existing tax accounting methodologies and exchange rate application rules;

•Adapt to new VAT requirements applicable to certain industries and transactions;

• Strengthen focus on tax compliance and tax reviews;

• Update internal controls, tax reporting, and documentation processes; and

• Reassess existing tax positions and compliance risks

A detailed overview of the legislative changes and their potential implications for businesses is available in EY Armenia's latest Tax Alert: 

https://www.ey.com/en_am/technical/tax-and-law-alerts/major-tax-and-vat-changes-affecting-businesses-in-armenia ]]> Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:05:00 +0400 <![CDATA[ IDBank introduces the new Mastercard World Card with exclusive travel benefits and a special campaign ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31082 https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31082 IDBank has expanded its card portfolio with the new Mastercard World card, created for those who value convenience not only in their everyday purchases but also while traveling.
The new card offers a range of exclusive travel benefits, including:

•    6 complimentary airport lounge visits,
•    6 complimentary Fast Track passes,
•    24/7 concierge service,
•    1 GB of international roaming,
•    50% discount on travel insurance,
•    50% discount on IDBank safe deposit box rental,
•    10% idcoin when using the GetTransfer service.

“The Mastercard World card is available in AMD, USD, and EUR and is issued with a five-year validity. Customers who order the card through the Idram&IDBank app or the IDBanking.am platform will receive a 20% discount on the first year’s service fee. Until August 31, 2026, the same discount will also apply to cards ordered at any IDBank branch,” said Hasmik Ghukasyan, Head of IDBank’s Product Development Division.

To celebrate the launch of the new Mastercard World card, IDBank has prepared a special campaign for its customers. Every primary cardholder who orders a Mastercard World card by October 31, 2026 (inclusive) will receive 10,000 idcoins within 10 business days of activating the card. 10,000 idcoins are provided for cards activated before November 15, 2026 (1 idcoin = 1 AMD).

In addition, cardholders who pay with their Mastercard World card at hotels worldwide will receive up to 25% back in idcoins on eligible hotel payments, but not more than a total maximum of 25,000 idcoins (after tax) per calendar month. Payments made through travel agencies are not eligible for the campaign.

As part of the campaign, idcoins are awarded only for transactions made with Mastercard World cards that remain active at the time the bonuses are credited. If the card has been closed before the idcoins are credited, no idcoins will be awarded for transactions made with that card. Transactions made using other card types linked to the Mastercard World card are not eligible for the campaign and will not be included in the bonus calculation, unless the attached card is also not a Mastercard World.

More information about the Mastercard World card is available here, and the full campaign terms and conditions can be found here.

The bank is supervised by the CBA. ]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2026 16:37:00 +0400 <![CDATA[ Converse Bank and Visa expand their strategic partnership ]]> https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31081 https://banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/31081 Converse Bank is expanding its cooperation with Visa, a world leader in digital payments, by announcing the launch of a new phase of partnership focused on enhancing the customer experience and advancing customer loyalty solutions. 
The bank reported that this phase of the partnership is particularly significant at the current stage of the bank’s strategic development, as the bank continues to enhance its C360 ecosystem and the Converse Mobile application, delivering a more personalized and valuable experience for customers.  
 
As the partnership enters a new phase, Converse Bank will gain access to Visa’s advanced technological solutions and global expertise, enabling the bank to further enhance the capabilities of the C360 ecosystem, develop loyalty tools, and provide customers with value-added solutions while expanding access to innovative services tailored to their evolving needs.

Since the partnership began in 2002, Converse Bank and Visa have collaborated across a broad range of initiatives, from payment card products and international payment services to technology innovation, global expertise, and advisory support.
 
The new phase of the partnership highlights expanded opportunities to leverage emerging technologies, reflecting the evolution of banking beyond traditional financial services. Through access to Visa’s technology solutions and expertise, the bank aims to further strengthen its digital capabilities and deliver innovative, customer-centric experiences.

It is noted that in this context, the bank considers the continued use of Visa Consulting & Analytics services a strategic priority. By leveraging Visa’s global expertise and best practices, the bank has enhanced online identification, customer onboarding, and account opening processes within the Converse Mobile application. The collaboration has also strengthened the bank’s ability to analyze customer needs and behavior through the C360 platform, supporting the delivery of more relevant and personalized solutions.

Converse Bank is supervised by the CBA.   ]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2026 16:04:00 +0400