The agency summarized the results of a five-year reform in the pawnshop sector. During this period, a significant transformation of the sector was carried out, aimed at improving consumer rights protection, reducing debt burdens, and bringing the market out of the shadow economy.
Starting from May 1, 2024, a legislative cap on the annual interest rate will be introduced — "the NB KR rate + 12 percent." This innovation has led to a reduction in loan costs to around 30% per annum, which excludes the practice of lending at 100-300%.
Additionally, a ban has been established on transmitting borrower data to credit bureaus for loans of up to 200 thousand soms. This decision is aimed at protecting personal information and preventing the deterioration of citizens' credit histories due to small loans. The government has also prohibited pawnshops from arbitrarily changing the terms of loan agreements that increase borrowers' obligations.
The regulator has tightened requirements for internal control and assessment of clients' solvency. Special attention is given to the protection of collateral and the prevention of unlawful retention of property. Pawnshops are required to implement risk management systems, and Financial Supervision has adopted a risk-oriented approach to monitoring their activities.
To consolidate the market, a phased schedule for increasing capital has been introduced. Starting from January 1, 2025, the minimum capital will be 3 million soms, by July 2026 it will increase to 7 million, by 2027 to 14 million, and by July 2028 it will reach 20 million soms.
The Financial Market Regulation and Supervision Service.
As of February 25, 2026, there are officially 383 pawnshops operating in Kyrgyzstan.
