AKP Phnom Penh, August 19, 2026 --

Cambodia’s banking sector must strengthen resilience, financial integrity and public confidence as it navigates a more challenging global and domestic environment, National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) Governor H.E. Dr. Chea Serey said.

The Governor said geopolitical tensions, conflict, higher energy prices, disrupted trade and travel, and financial market volatility were creating growing pressures.

“Trust had become increasingly important as the financial sector became more digital, interconnected and exposed to a wider global environment,” she added.

H.E. Dr. Chea Serey outlined three priorities for the two-day conference: resilience; integrity, trust and transparency; and secure and inclusive digital finance.

She called for prudent credit risk management, sound capital and liquidity discipline, careful underwriting, responsible loan restructuring and early action on distressed assets.

The NBC Governor also stressed the importance of effective anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism measures, stronger consumer protection, fraud prevention, good governance and cooperation between regulators, financial institutions and law enforcement.

On digital finance, she welcomed Cambodia’s progress in digital payments and regional connectivity, including KHQR and cross-border payment linkages, while urging the sector to keep cybersecurity, operational resilience and interoperability alongside innovation.

The conference is held under the theme “Preserving Stability, Strengthening Financial Integrity, Trust and Confidence in the Banking System.” It gathers representatives of the ASEAN Bankers Association, fellow bankers, development partners, speakers, moderators and delegates.

Association of Banks in Cambodia Chairman Mr. Rath Sophoan said banks were operating in a demanding environment, with cautious credit conditions, pressure on asset quality and adjustments in the construction and property sectors, alongside growing fraud, cyber threats and financial crime.

He said the conference would examine six priorities, including responsible growth, credit and property-market adjustment, financial integrity and consumer protection, secure payment connectivity, sustainable finance, and workforce development.

Mr. Rath Sophoan urged participants to turn discussions into practical actions, including clearer priorities, institutional responsibilities and follow-up mechanisms, to strengthen a banking system that is stable, clean, innovative and worthy of public confidence.

By Sum Kosal