Banks paid the new bank levy but are ready to challenge it in court

Banks in Slovakia have paid the first quarter of the bank levy to the state. The deadline for doing so expired on January 25.

Five of the biggest financial houses on the Slovak market have confirmed to the Hospodárske Noviny daily that they paid the sum.

However, they consider the recent changes to the levy, which was doubled and prolonged for an indefinite period, unconstitutional and are ready to claim the money back by using legal tools.

Adopted despite objections

The banks are complaining that the levy violates the financial stability of the Slovak economy and will eventually create obstacles for people and companies to access loans, the Index magazine reported.