NBC Directs Institutions to Cancel Debts for Fallen and Disabled Soldiers, and Grant Waivers to Frontline Troops until May 2026
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) today, December 10, 2025, issued a new instruction detailing measures to alleviate the financial burden on citizens affected by the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict.
This new directive responds to the call of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, and is issued in a spirit of solidarity, humanity, and alignment with the Royal Government’s policy to support military personnel directly engaged in combat and civilians impacted by the border conflict.
I. Key Concessions for Affected Military Personnel
The NBC instructs all banking and financial institutions to grant significant financial relief to military personnel involved in the current conflict:
1. For Fallen (Sacrificed) or Disabled Soldiers
- Fallen Soldiers (Sacrificed): Institutions shall cancel debts up to 80 million Riel (KHR 80,000,000) for customers or co-borrowers who are fallen military personnel.
- Disabled Soldiers: Institutions shall cancel debts up to 10 million Riel (KHR 10,000,000) for customers who are military personnel disabled in the current battlefield.
2. For Frontline Operating Soldiers (Waivers and Deferrals)
Military personnel directly engaged in combat operations will receive the following concessions effective immediately until May 31, 2026:
- Waiver of Fees and Penalties: Institutions shall waive all fees and penalties related to credit.
- Waiver of Interest Payments and Principal Deferral: Institutions shall waive interest payments and defer principal repayment.
Crucially: The NBC specifies that for this concession, banking and financial institutions must not capitalize the interest onto the principal amount.
II. Humanitarian and Policy Alignment
The new instruction underscores the government’s priority in providing financial relief to the frontline military personnel defending the nation, as well as the civilians enduring hardship due to the renewed conflict.