Bolivia Tightens Financial and Data Controls

Bolivia approved a decree in 2026 to strengthen financial entities and assigned the Financial System Supervisory Authority, ASFI, the registration, supervision and control of certain certificates linked to those entities. Supreme Decree 5693 also creates equity strengthening certificates administered by the Broad Guarantee and Credit Fund, with a non-extendable term and execution handled by the Ministry of Economy and Public Finance.

What changes for the financial system?

The approved framework adds monitoring and reporting obligations for beneficiary financial entities. The measure places ASFI in a more active role over the certificates and makes the Ministry of Economy and Public Finance directly responsible for operational compliance. In practice, the decree aims to place instruments tied to equity strengthening under a more defined control framework.

How does ASFI's agenda fit with the IDB?

ASFI and the Inter-American Development Bank are developing new practices to strengthen financial consumer protection in Bolivia. Among the topics under discussion are the secure design of financial products, corporate governance, the ethical use of artificial intelligence, and the need for preventive supervision that can anticipate risks for institutions and consumers, according to ABI coverage.

What other obligations are being added to the sector?

The creation of the National Registry of Real Estate Service Providers, Renapsi, through Supreme Decree 5690, adds another layer of compliance for actors tied to credit and real estate operations connected to the financial system. The registry is meant to promote transparency, legality and effective protection of the rights of users and consumers of real estate services, according to Unitel.

What external pressure does the European Union add?

Bolivia's inclusion on the list of high-risk countries for anti-money laundering deficiencies requires European financial institutions to apply enhanced due diligence and risk analysis in transactions involving the country. That step raises compliance standards in banking correspondents and reinforces incentives to improve anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing controls in Bolivia's financial system.

In parallel, the Senate approved the Public Information Access bill in detail and sent it to the lower house, according to ERBOL, Unitel, ABI and Urgente.bo. The combination of tighter financial oversight, new sector registries and access to information rules leaves institutions facing a more demanding compliance map, with greater reporting requirements, traceability and data management.