Tunisia: Finance Ministry delays decision on creating a postal bank

Tunisia's Finance Ministry has put the brakes on plans to create a postal bank, stating that no decision has been made. The ministry indicated that while establishing a postal bank or increasing the Tunisian Post's stake in an existing bank remains a "strategic" option, it requires extensive study covering legal, economic, and financial aspects. A broad consensus among stakeholders is also necessary to ensure feasibility and achieve set objectives.

This position emerged during a parliamentary hearing on a bill to combat financial exclusion. Several lawmakers had pushed for the postal bank, arguing that the extensive network of post offices across the country is a strategic asset for financial inclusion. They advocated using this infrastructure to bring banking services closer to citizens, particularly in interior regions. They also emphasized facilitating access to credit for small and medium-sized enterprises, developing savings services, and promoting digital payment solutions.

Lawmakers believed that integrating a specific chapter on a postal bank into the bill would open new avenues for the national financial system. However, Finance Ministry representatives stressed that the current bill is part of a broader reform of the financial and banking sector and cannot encompass all expected structural transformations alone. They acknowledged the Tunisian Post's existing role but reiterated that any decision on a postal bank requires comprehensive evaluation and in-depth impact analysis before implementation.