The European Commission asked the National Consumer Protection Body (ANPC) to investigate banks" fees for payments made in Euros

Andreea Arăboaei

The National Authority for the Protection of Consumers (ANPC) has launched an investigation of commercial banks to check for compliance with European Union regulations on payments made in Euros to other countries, following the request received from the European Commission, said Mihai Meiu, director of the ANPC. According to the regulations of the European Union, payments made in Euros must cost the same regardless of whether they are made within a member state or if the transfer is made between two member states.

"The European Commission has sent a notification, in the beginning of this year, on the regulation concerning payments in Euros between EU member states, and for the moment, the investigation of the ANPC is ongoing", Mr. Meiu said. He said that Romania is expected to send an answer to the European Commission on this issue by May 15th at the latest. The ANPC official said he doesn"t know whether the notification sent by the European Commission was sent as a result of irregularities found in the banking system or it was a simple routine investigation on the implementation of this regulation.

Complaints to the ANPC concerning violations of loan agreements by the banks remain just as numerous as in 2008

Newly introduced banking fees or the revision of already existing commissions, were again the subject of over 200 complaints a month received by the National Authority for the Protection of Consumers (ANPC) by bank customers, said Mihai Meiu, an ANPC executive. Their number has remained constant compared to last year, but part of them have gone on trial, the ANPC official said.

According to the regulation proposed by the ANPC towards the end of 2008 and which is still being debated by the Chamber of Deputies, banks might be forced to not review commissions and to be more transparent on how interest is calculated.

Mr. Meiu also said that this regulation will be discussed in the Chamber of Deputies next week, and will then go on debate before the joint chambers. "If everything goes well, the law could get through in a month, perhaps earlier", Mihai Meiu said.