The high volume of unsecured loans banks granted between 2005
and 2008 is currently spawning big problems for banks, with the
weight of bad loans in overall loans granted during this period
revolving around 15%, according to the data included in the latest
financial stability report published by the NBR.
By comparison, the weight of bad loans in the case of real estate
loans granted between 2005 and 2008 stands at around 3.5%.
Individuals and companies in late June held loans worth 310bn RON
(72bn euros), with the largest part as foreign currency-denominated
ones. One quarter of this amount were loans granted by foreign
banks and 9% were loans issued by non-bank financial institutions
(NBFI).
Over the past year and a half, foreign banks have boosted the
volume of loans granted in Romania, while domestic banks have kept
their exposure flat.
Provisions set up by banks in June covered 63% of the value of bad
loans, against a coverage level of above 120% in late 2006. The
coverage level is similar with the average posted at the EU
level.
ZF English
Consumer loans granted from 2005 through 2008, biggest headache for banks
The high volume of unsecured loans banks granted between 2005 and 2008 is currently spawning big problems for banks, with the weight of bad loans in overall loans granted during this period revolving around 15%, according to the data included in the latest financial stability report published by the NBR.