CBCG: Court decision in Adriatic Bank case has nothing to do with our measures

The decision of the Higher Court in Podgorica to annul the measures blocking transactions worth 54,3 million euros at the request of several Adriatic Bank clients refers to temporary measures ordered by other competent prosecutorial and judicial authorities. These measures were neither ordered, implemented, nor revoked by the Central Bank of Montenegro (CBCG).

This was stated by the Central Bank of Montenegro in response to the article titled "54,3 million euros unlocked for clients" published on June 13 on the Vijesti portal.

That institution assessed that the aforementioned text contains a number of incorrect claims and constructions that create a false impression about the role of the Central Bank of Montenegro in court proceedings and interim measures.

We transmit the reaction in its entirety:

"The text entitled "54,3 million euros unlocked for clients" published on June 13, 2026 with the subtitle "The bank initiated two court proceedings against the Central Bank due to measures and imposed fines of 3,6 million euros. After the measures of the prosecutor's office and the Central Bank of Montenegro, Adriatic Bank lost a significant part of its income and clients. If it wins the disputes - the state pays compensation", contains a series of allegations and constructions that create a false and misleading impression that there is a connection between the decision of the Higher Court on the lifting of temporary measures, taken by other authorities, and the actions of the Central Bank of Montenegro.

For the purpose of accurately informing the public, we would like to clarify that the court's decision in question refers to temporary measures that were ordered within the framework of proceedings conducted by the competent prosecutorial and judicial authorities. These measures were not measures of the Central Bank of Montenegro, nor were they ordered, implemented or revoked by the Central Bank of Montenegro.

We would like to point out in particular that, prior to publishing the text, the Central Bank of Montenegro submitted a clear and unambiguous response to the questions posed to the editorial staff of "Vijesti" in which it was explicitly stated that "possible temporary measures of security, blocking or restrictions on the disposal of funds in specific court or prosecutorial proceedings are not within the competence of the Central Bank of Montenegro, but of the authorities conducting these proceedings". In addition, the article contains incorrect statements about the nature of the proceedings being conducted. The text incorrectly states that "the first dispute initiated by Adriatic Banka relates to the annulment of measures and penalties imposed by the Central Bank". This is a misdemeanor proceeding that the Central Bank of Montenegro, within its legal powers and obligations, initiated before the competent misdemeanor court due to established violations of the Law on Payment Transactions, the Law on the Comparability of Fees Related to Consumer Payment Accounts and by-laws adopted on the basis of these laws.

It is equally incorrect to present the second proceeding as a “dispute initiated by Adriatic Bank.” In this case, too, it is a misdemeanor order that the Central Bank of Montenegro, within its legal jurisdiction, initiated due to established irregularities.

By presenting these proceedings as disputes allegedly initiated by Adriatic Bank against the Central Bank of Montenegro, the public is given an incorrect and incomplete picture of their legal nature, the role of the participants in the proceedings and the basis for their conduct. Of particular concern is the presentation of speculative claims by an anonymous interlocutor, which prejudges that the possible outcome of certain court proceedings could result in “great financial damage for the Central Bank and the state”, and that “the institution and the state will pay large compensation to the bank, clients and members of the management”. These are hypothetical and speculative positions of an anonymous source that are not based on a final court decision, and are presented in a way that may mislead the public and create the wrong impression that the liability of the Central Bank of Montenegro has already been established or certain, which is not true. In particular, the statement that in the event of a possible outcome of the court proceedings in favor of Adriatic Bank, the costs of compensation would be borne by the state is not accurate. Such claims are not based on facts or the applicable legal framework.

The Central Bank of Montenegro recalls that it carries out activities in the field of bank supervision, prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing, consumer protection and preservation of the integrity of the financial system in accordance with the law, international standards and best European practices, and in close cooperation with relevant institutions of the European Union, the Eurosystem and international partners. Unfounded questioning of the legality and justification of such activities, which is not supported by decisions of competent courts or findings of competent authorities, may undermine public confidence in the regulatory and supervisory framework of the financial system of Montenegro," the Central Bank of Montenegro stated.