Arrears continue to mount

The general population’s debts related to the reimbursement of medium-term loans in April climbed to 277 billion ROL, 14% higher month-on-month, displaying a growth rate four times higher than that of lending. As compared to April 2003, this type of arrears grew more than fivefold.

Medium term loans contracted by the population in April increased by 2.8%, from 43,600 billion in March to 44,900 billion. In comparison to April 2003, there was a 350% rise.

The proportion of arrears within the structure of medium-term loans granted to the population rose from 0.4% in 2003, to 0.6% in the current year. Thus, arrears maintained a rapid growth pace as compared to the volume of granted loans, a trend also observed in April.

The proportion of loans aimed at the population within the total volume of medium-term loans stands at about 73%.

Population arrears related to repaying ROL-denominated short term loans in April reached 221 billion ROL, registering a 3 percentage point change in comparison to March. The year-to-year dynamics points to a 26% increase in population arrears.

Thus, in April 2004, arrears accounted for just over two percentage points of the total short-term loans granted to the population. As compared to April 2003, the proportion of arrears within the structure of loans granted to the population shrank by one percentage point.

Short-term loans taken out by the general population in April reached 10,936 billion ROL (280 thousand euros), 3% higher as compared to the previous month. Against April 2003, this represents an increase of 94%.

The growth of such loans has slowed significantly since the beginning of the year, after NBR prudential measures came into effect.
liviu.chiru@zf.ro