On 30 October 2026 the National Bank of Serbia revoked Alta banka's licence and handed the bank to the Deposit Insurance Agency, and on 1 November the Central Bank of Montenegro withdrew the payment-services authorisation of Alta Pay Group in Podgorica. If you or a client had money in an Alta account, this is a hard week, so here are the dates and rules as they stand.
Deposits are insured up to 50,000 euros per depositor. That covers individuals, sole traders and micro, small and medium-sized companies. The money is paid out through another bank, which the National Bank will name. The Agency says payments start within seven working days of the Belgrade Commercial Court opening bankruptcy proceedings, and that it will publish where and how on aod.rs within three working days of that decision. Dinar balances are paid in dinars. Euro and other foreign-currency balances are paid in euros, converted at the rate on the day bankruptcy opens.
Anything above 50,000 euros is not insured. The National Bank says other claims will be filed under a procedure it will announce later, but it has not said how much of that money may come back or when, so I would not plan around it.
If you have a loan with Alta, keep paying it. The National Bank says the bank's debtors are not released from their obligations and will get instructions once bankruptcy starts.
If you have a purchase in progress, tell the developer or notary now that your funds are affected, and ask whether you can pay from another bank without losing your place. Most are more flexible when they hear early.
In Montenegro, the central bank says Alta Pay Group is not a bank, takes no deposits and does not affect the payment system.
What I'd watch: the Agency's payout notice on aod.rs, and whether the Central Bank of Montenegro explains how pending Alta Pay payments are handled.
Also see: National Bank of Serbia announcement · Central Bank of Montenegro announcement