Credit demand stagnating, says head of Credit Bureau

Credit sales to individuals have not seen a noticeable decline after the tough adjustment measures implemented by the Government in the summer, but this only means they are stagnating at the low level reached back in 2009, says {erban Epure, director general of the Credit Bureau.
Several banks resumed promotional offers for retail loans in autumn – especially for mortgage-backed ones, after withdrawing them in the summer, but with no palpable effect. From July until October the Credit Bureau issued around 340,000 credit reports at the request of banks seeking information on potential clients. In spring the number of reports had been only slightly higher, around 370,000 reports per month. Considering that banks request information on potential clients every time they analyse a credit application, the indicator gives a good approximation of loan demand from the individuals.
This year’s monthly level of lending does not differ very much from amounts recorded in 2009. In September demand was down 7%, after a 15% decline in August. But credit sales are just a shadow of what they used to be in the boom year 2008, when the Bureau released between 600,000 and 800,000 credit reports per month.