️ The President of Uzbekistan signed amendments to the Law on Advertising on 10 November, introducing mandatory risk warnings for bank advertisements of credits and microcredits. Under the revised legislation, such advertisements must state that failure to meet debt obligations may create financial risks. The warning is required to occupy at least 10 percent of the advertising space or time. The law has officially entered into force, but the obligation to comply with the risk-warning requirement starts three months after its official publication. The measure applies to advertising distributed through media, online platforms and other channels. The amendments also formally classify information aimed at improving public insurance literacy as social information.
️ Key Takeaways: Credit and microcredit advertisements must include a financial-risk warning covering at least 10 percent of the ad space or time. The warning requirement takes effect three months after publication of the law. Central Bank data show that almost 2.7 million people had microcredits as of 1 January 2026, up 37 percent year-on-year.
️ The amendments were discussed in the Senate in August, where officials explained the need for the measures by pointing to growing lending to households and rising debt burdens. The debate focused on the risks that citizens may take on loans without fully understanding the financial consequences, potentially leading to excessive obligations. The new rules are intended to improve transparency in the credit market and encourage more informed financial decisions.
️ Central Bank statistics show the pace of change: the average number of microcredit contracts per borrower rose from 1.7 to 1.9. The figure suggests that more people are holding multiple credit obligations at the same time. Against this backdrop, the advertising warning is meant to balance promotional messaging with clear information about possible consequences. The inclusion of insurance-literacy materials in the social-information category is also expected to support broader financial education efforts.
️ Banks and advertising distributors are now expected to prepare for the three-month transition period and adjust their promotional materials to the new requirements. During this period, practical approaches to the form, placement and size of the warning are to be clarified. The law has entered into force, while the key warning clause has a delayed compliance date, giving market participants time to adapt. Further measures on financial literacy, debt-burden monitoring and consumer protection may be considered later. Observers view the changes as part of a wider policy aimed at reducing household dependence on credit and strengthening responsible lending practices.
Source: www.gazeta.uz