Raiffeisen Bank in Serbia launched an internal probe after observers reported seeing copies of Russian passports placed on the windowsill of one bank branch on Cara Dušana Street in Belgrade. A video circulating on social networks showed the passports displayed in what appeared to be a public space within the branch, drawing attention to how sensitive documents can surface in ordinary day-to-day operations. RIA News cited the bank’s press service for details about the incident.
The bank explained that the missent information reached third parties during the normal workflow of archiving documents, a lapse they said was not intentional and occurred in the course of routine record-keeping. Management emphasized that the episode is isolated to Raiffeisen Bank branches in Serbia and does not reflect the organization’s broader practices elsewhere. In response, the bank indicated it would tighten supervision of document handling and storage to prevent a repeat scenario.
A representative from the bank’s press office affirmed that the bank has already instituted a clean desk policy as part of its daily routines. This policy guides how employees organize and secure their workspaces, especially when desks are left unattended at the end of a shift. The bank noted that reinforcing such procedures is essential to safeguarding customer information and maintaining trust in the institution’s security culture.
Officials stated they intend to implement additional safeguards and training so that similar missteps are avoided in the future. The focus will be on reinforcing clear ownership of archived materials, improving access controls, and ensuring that physical documents are stored securely even during routine transfers or pauses in daily operations. The bank’s leadership underscored a commitment to transparency and continuous improvement in information governance.
Beyond the incident, Serbia has been undertaking broader regulatory changes related to residency and citizenship procedures. In July, the government simplified processes for obtaining citizenship and temporary residence permits for foreigners, aiming to streamline administrative pathways and support investment and mobility. These reforms have been part of a wider effort to modernize administrative services and reduce bureaucratic friction for residents and international entrants alike. Observers note that such reforms can have downstream effects on how information is requested, stored, and protected across public and private entities in the country.
Separately, there have been international discussions about citizenship and passport policies in various regions, including references to programs in Chechnya where there were earlier reports about eligibility criteria for young people in certain family situations. These reports highlighted how different jurisdictions approach identity documents and residency rights, underscoring the importance of robust data handling, verification, and privacy protections across all programs that issue or manage passports and related documentation.