Resilience Framework: ACBA bank

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Provision of a senior unsecured loan to ACBA bank of up to USD 20 million under the Bank's Resilience Framework (RF). The loan proceeds will used for on-lending to MSMEs and larger companies in line with the Policy Statement of the Resilience Framework. Similar to many countries, the coronavrius pandemic and efforts to contain it are having a major negative impact on economic activity in Armenia. Against this backdrop, liquidity support to the private sector is pivotal to the country's ability to weather the economic downturn, reduce its vulnerability to internal and external factors and achieve quicker recovery. With the banking sector accounting for 90% of total financial intermediation in the country, bank loans are the main source of finance for the private sector. However, supply of commercial credit has almost ceased as the banks have shifted their focus on further strengthening their balance sheet buffers.