Countercyclical Capital Buffer


The countercyclical capital buffer aims to prevent and mitigate systemic risks of a cyclical nature. It targets the excesses of a credit cycle, either in the upswing or the downswing phase, and the resulting risk accumulation. This buffer requires additional capital to be provided from credit institutions in the phase of intensive credit growth, while credit institutions are allowed to release capital in the downward phase of the cycle.


The countercyclical capital buffer is allocated in the form of Common Equity Tier 1, and can range from 0% to 2.5% of the total amount of risk exposure. The countercyclical buffer rate may be higher than 2.5%, subject to exceptional circumstances.


The CBCG prescribes the countercyclical capital buffer rate for Montenegro, i.e. for exposures that credit institutions have to entities in Montenegro. In addition, credit institutions are required to calculate the specific countercyclical buffer rate, as the weighted average of the countercyclical buffer rate that is applied in Montenegro and those applied in other countries where the relevant credit exposures of the credit institution are located. 


The CBCG sets the countercyclical capital buffer rate on a quarterly basis and the rate is announced on its website.


In line with the Decision on the Countercyclical Capital Buffer Rate for Q4 2024 (OGM 94/24), the countercyclical capital buffer rate amounts to 0% of the total amount of risk exposure.


In line with the Decision on Raising the Countercyclical Capital Buffer Rate (OGM 27/24), the countercyclical capital buffer rate will amount to 0.5% of the total amount of risk exposure as of 1 April 2025.



Information on increasing the countercyclical capital buffer rate to be applied as of 1 April 2025 (29.03.2024)


Information on the Countercyclical Capital Buffer Rate for Montenegro in Q4 2024 (01.10.2024)


Information on the Countercyclical Capital Buffer Rate for Montenegro in Q3 2024 (28.06.2024)


Information on the Countercyclical Capital Buffer Rate for Montenegro in Q2 2024 (29.03.2024)


Information on the Countercyclical Capital Buffer Rate for Montenegro in Q1 2024 (29.12.2023)


Information on the Countercyclical Capital Buffer Rate for Montenegro in Q4 2023 (30.09.2023)


Information on the Countercyclical Capital Buffer Rate for Montenegro in Q3 2023 (30.06.2023)


Information on the Countercyclical Capital Buffer Rate for Montenegro in Q2 2023 (31.03.2023)


Information on the Countercyclical Capital Buffer Rate for Montenegro in Q1 2023 (30.12.2022)


Information on the Countercyclical Capital Buffer rate for Montenegro in Q4 2022 (30.09.2022)


Information on the Countercyclical Capital Buffer rate for Montenegro in Q3 2022 (30.06.2022)


Information on the Countercyclical Capital Buffer rate for Montenegro in Q2 2022 (31.03.2022)


Information on the Countercyclical Capital Buffer rate for Montenegro in Q1 2022 (31.12.2021)