Bucharest and Ilfov lead the pack in housing savings for BCR BpL housing bank

Housing bank BCR Banca pentru Locuinte registered an increase in deposits of over 85 percent during 2011 compared with the end of 2010. The bank reached 250,000 customers and savings of about EUR 200 million, with Bucharest and Ilfov county ranking first on deposits. Costumers from Bucharest and Ilfov County occupy the first position with a total amount saved of over EUR 35 million, followed by those in the central region of Romania (Covasna, Harghita, Mures and Sibiu counties) with EUR 33 million and those from the North-West region (Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Cluj, Maramures, Salaj and Satu Mare counties) with a little under EUR 30 million saved. Loans granted by BCR Housing Bank can be used for a range of purposes, such as modernizing or extending houses and buying a house or land. BCR BpL was created in 2008 and is majority owned by Erste Group. The products of a housing bank combine savings with loans and a 25 percent bonus from the state, all for housing acquisitions or repairs. BCR Banca pentru Locuinte shares the Romanian market with Raiffeisen Banca pentru Locuinte. Alex Camburu, alex.camburu@romania-insider.com (Photo source: scx.hu)