Population borrows 2.3bn euros more than it saves

Credits contracted by the population from banks exceeded deposits by a sum equivalent to 2.3 billion euros in July, following the accelerated growth of lending, according to data from the NBR (National Bank of Romania). The sum is 110% higher than in July 2007. The statistics broken down into currencies reveal that the imbalance is generated by foreign currency, which is less covered by deposits attracted by the population. However, banks sit more comfortably when it comes to funding in RON, where credits are still lower than deposits attracted. The difference between credits and deposits in foreign currency reached 5.15 billion euros in July, slightly up from the previous month, when it amounted to 5.09 billion euros. The difference between deposits and credits in RON is positive, but down in July, to a sum equivalent to 2.79 billion euros, from 2.98 billion euros in June. This imbalance comes amid a strong appetite from the population for loans in foreign currency, fuelled by the relatively attractive interests, while the population’s savings are mainly in RON.