On the back of its annual analysis, Banka Slovenije has decided to make no change to the cap on charges that banks may make to consumers for providing a basic payment account. The cap on the monthly charge thus remains at EUR 4.90, or EUR 1.47 for those eligible for cash social assistance and the social security supplement. The cap has been unchanged since 1 June 2020. By providing the option of lower monthly charges, the basic payment account is also designed to make it easier for vulnerable population groups to access basic payment services.
The basic payment account is a special type of payment account at a bank or savings bank that provides access to all the most commonly used payment services. It is aimed at people who do not hold a current account in Slovenia. Consumers may request the opening of a basic payment account at any bank or savings bank. Detailed information about the right to a basic payment account can be found on the Banka Slovenije website.
To make information about this right and about the process of opening a basic payment account more accessible to the whole public, the National Payments Council has created a leaflet bearing the slogan Nobody without a payment account, which is available at various contact points, such as social work centres, financial administration offices, information points for foreign nationals, and NGOs.
Here it should be highlighted once again that the new Payment Services, Electronic Money Issuance Services and Payment Systems Act (ZPlaSSIED) requires banks and savings banks to communicate more actively with regard to the right to a basic payment account, and to report their reasons for refusing any applications from consumers to open a basic payment account. Banka Slovenije is continuing to monitor how banks and savings banks are upholding the right to a basic payment account as part of its regular activities as it exercises its supervisory powers.