Retail and corporate loans in Romania, down by 4% in the last year

The total loans granted by Romanian banks to population and companies were of some RON 215 billion (EUR 49 bln) at the end of June, 4 percent below the level recorded in June 2013. The decline was triggered by the 11 percent fall in foreign currency loans, which still have the highest share in the total loan book, of some 60 percent. Foreign currency loans for companies decreased by more than 13 percent year on year to EUR 14 billion and FX loans for the population were down 8 percent, to EUR 14.7 billion. Loans in local currency (RON) increased by 7 percent in the last year, to RON 90.4 billion (EUR 20.4 bln). Local currency lending was supported by loans granted to the population through the “First House” program. editor@romania-insider.com