www.worldbank.org/finsac ©2026 International Bank for ReconstructionandDevelopment/International DevelopmentAssociation or The World Bank 1818 H Street NWWashington DC 20433Telephone: 202-473-1000Internet: www.worldbank.org This work is a product of The World Bank staff.Thefindings,interpretations,and conclusionsexpressed in this work do not necessarily reflectthe views of The World Bank, its Board of ExecutiveDirectors, or the governments they represent. TheWorld Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of thedata included in this work. The boundaries, colors,denominations, and other information shown onany map in this work do not imply any judgmenton the part of The World Bank concerning thelegal status of any territory or the endorsement oracceptance of such boundaries. Rights and permissions The material in this work is subject to copyright.Because The World Bank encourages dissemina-tion of its knowledge, this work may be reproduced,in whole or in part, for noncommercial purposes aslong as full attribution to this work is given. Anyqueries on rights and licenses,includingsubsidiary rights, should be addressed to WorldBank Publications, The World Bank Group, 1818H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; fax:202-522-2625; e-mail:pubrights@worldbank.org Find out more on the FinSAC website Contents 1.Introduction 2.FinSAC Technical Assistance12 3.Knowledge Activities58 4.Client Country Feedback66 Abbreviations BRRDBank Recovery and Resolution DirectiveESGEnvironmental, Social, and GovernanceEUEuropean UnionFinSACWorld Bank Financial Sector Advisory CenterICAAPInternal Capital Adequacy Assessment ProcessIFRSInternational Financial Reporting StandardMISManagement Information SystemMRELMinimum Requirement for Own Funds and EligibleLiabilitiesNPLNonperforming LoanSREPSupervisory Review and Evaluation Process 1.Introduction The Financial Sector Advisory Center (FinSAC)isa specialized World Bank technical unitthat provides bespoke reform guidance andhands-on implementation support on financialstability to client authorities across Europeand Central Asia. By strengthening the finan-cialsystems that underpin private-sectorgrowth, FinSAC’s work indirectly supports boththe creation of new jobs and the preservationof existing ones, as more resilient banks andstable credit channels enable firms to invest,expand, and maintain employment even duringperiods of stress. FinSAC’swork is financed by the AustrianFederal Ministry of Finance through a global“Finance For Development” trust fund admin-istered by the World Bank. Austria’s backingallows FinSAC to maintain a dedicated teamin Vienna, ensuring proximity to key Europeanfinancialinstitutions and facilitating deep,continuousengagement with client coun-tries. By supporting diagnostic assessments,implementation of modern supervisory tools,capacitybuilding,and the development ofcredible crisis management as well as bankrecoveryand resolution regimes,Austriadirectly contributes to stronger, more resilientfinancial sectors across the broader regioninwhich it is deeply interconnected.This commitment bolsters financial stability andsupports broader economic resilience, helpingsafeguard jobs, investment, and confidenceduring periods of stress. It also facilitatessmoother integration with Europe’s financialarchitecture and reduces systemic risk trans-mission channels across Europe. This 2025 Annual Review presents an overviewof FinSAC’s program over the past year focusedon its objectives, scope of engagements, andthe results achieved. It aims to illustrate howFinSACis using its advisory services andproviding capacity-building assistance to helpclient countries enhance financial stability andsystemic resilience. Purpose of FinSAC In 2025, FinSAC delivered support across all ofits core pillars—macroprudential frameworksand crisis preparedness, deposit insurance,microprudentialregulation and supervision,non-performing loan (NPL) resolution, bankrecovery and resolution, and the macro- andmicroprudentialaspects of climate-relatedfinancial risks. Throughout the year, FinSACprovided advisory services, diagnostic assess-ments,implementationassistance,andcapacity building to strengthen frameworksand supervisory practices. It continued tailoredengagements with 10 active client countriesand assessed emerging demand from othersin the region. FinSAC was established in 2011 as a follow-upto the Vienna Initiative, to help countries inEurope and Central Asia address the legacychallenges of the Global Financial Crisis. It hascontinued to support client countries to furtherenhance their financial stability and safety net,incorporating good international practice andincreasingalignment with European Union(EU) requirements. FinSAC has a full-time team of eight WorldBank specialists based in Vienna, Austria, anddraws on additional expertise from within andoutside the World Bank to deliver targetedtechnical assistance as needed. Governance of FinSAC FinSAC’s activities are overseen