Phnom Penh – The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) has issued a significant directive, advising all banking and financial institutions to continue offering favorable conditions and substantial financial relief to specific customer groups. This comprehensive support package is primarily aimed at soldiers actively engaged in battle, disabled soldiers, and civilians displaced by recent Thai military aggression along the border.
Under the new instructions, which were formally issued by the National Bank on December 10, banking and financial institutions are now mandated to exempt military personnel operating directly on the battlefield from all fees and penalties associated with their credit. This extensive relief includes the crucial exemption of interest payments and the deferment of principal payments, with these measures remaining in effect until May 31, 2026.
Beyond these waivers, the NBC has also announced direct debt cancellations for certain beneficiaries. A total of 80 million Riel in debt will be forgiven for customers or co-borrowers identified as martyrs, recognizing their ultimate sacrifice. Additionally, disabled soldiers currently serving in the battlefield are eligible for a 10 million Riel loan cancellation, providing much-needed financial alleviation.
In a broader move, the National Bank has further instructed financial institutions to waive all fees and penalties related to other loans, with the exception of interest payments, and to postpone principal payments until March 31, 2026. This measure appears to extend general relief beyond the immediate military context.
The NBC explicitly clarified in its directive that for these exemptions and cancellations, banking and financial institutions are not required to capitalize on capital, ensuring that the relief efforts do not unduly burden the institutions themselves.
Furthermore, the NBC has urged all banking and financial institutions to continue implementing credit restructuring for other customers in accordance with existing regulations. They are also encouraged to provide additional special benefits, wherever possible, for individuals and communities severely affected by the ongoing Cambodian-Thai border dispute, reinforcing support for soldiers directly involved in the conflict.
The humanitarian impact of the border tensions remains significant. As of 5:30 PM on December 9, the number of individuals displaced had surged, with 20,105 families, totaling 101,229 people, now registered as refugees. This vulnerable population includes pregnant women, infants, children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense on the morning of December 10.
