Lithuania PM urges banks to prepare payment systems for national mobilisation scenario

VILNIUS - Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius has called on commercial banks to ensure payment systems are ready in case of a national mobilisation, particularly for purchases of medicine and fuel, the government press office said.

"In view of potential challenges, we must prepare for domestic payments during a mobilisation regime. It is essential to work with banks and retailers so that residents can purchase basic necessities even if stores lose their connection with banks. We are primarily talking about medicine and fuel," Sinkevicius said after a meeting with representatives of the Association of Lithuanian Banks and Gediminas Simkus, chairman of the board of the Bank of Lithuania.

The meeting highlighted the need to ensure access to cash during crises. Under mobilisation tasks, certain ATMs would be guaranteed power supplies and cash replenishment, according to the statement.

Association of Lithuanian Banks President Eivile Cipkute said banks were prepared to operate in emergency situations without internet or electricity.

"On the banking side, institutions are properly prepared in accordance with Lithuanian law. Major banks have signed agreements with the Bank of Lithuania and adapted their systems for 'offline' mode. If there is no internet, card payments will still be possible, and all cards have been adapted for this," Cipkute told reporters.

"The financial sector is pleased to have completed its work in this area," she added.

Furthermore, Sinkevicius said the government was ready to cooperate with banks to develop public skills in both saving and investing.

Regarding government plans for a national strategy to combat digital fraud, it was announced that the Centre of Excellence in Anti-Money Laundering was developing an information-sharing platform for payment institutions.

The Association of Lithuanian Banks believes the platform should be implemented by the state.

Lithuania is already developing a card payment system for use during mobilisation if internet connectivity is lost. In June, the Seimas passed amendments to the Law on Payments allowing the purchase of essential food, hygiene products, medicine and fuel during communication disruptions.

Such transactions will require specially configured cards and payment terminals, with spending limits set on the cards. Residents will not need to replace their cards; banks will be required to record the limits on existing cards.

The meeting also addressed broader financial sector issues, service accessibility in the regions and the government's planned national strategy against digital fraud.