Chamber of Deputies approves new powers for Czech central bank in banking supervision

The Czech National Bank (ČNB) is set to gain stronger oversight over the banking sector under a government bill passed by the Chamber of Deputies. Banks will now be required to notify the ČNB in advance of planned changes to their statutory bodies and supervisory boards. The bill also introduces stricter conditions for foreign bank branches from outside the EU and mandates inclusion of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks in internal strategies. It aims to strengthen financial stability and bring Czech law in line with EU rules. If approved by the Senate, the law will take effect in January 2026.