Private lending up in Romania: consumers less indebted but corporate lending up year-on-year

Private lending rose by 0.3 percent month-on-month in April 2011 in Romania, to EUR 50.2 billion, according to the National Bank of Romania (BNR). Loans in the Romanian currency increased by 1.5 percent, while those in foreign currency fell by 0.4 percent, also month-on-month. Private lending grew by 2.1 percent at the end of April compared to April 30, 2010. Loans to population went down by 7.2 percent year-on-year, while companies' loans went up by 6.6 percent year-on-year, on the Romanian currency segment. Loans in foreign currencies went up for both companies and the population, by 4.8 percent year-on-year and 2.3 percent, respectively. People saved more, with deposits in Romanian currency up by 0.3 percent month-on-month, to EUR 16.1 billion, while deposits in RON for companies also went up by 0.2 percent, to EUR 10.9 billion. The growth of population deposits in RON was of 4.2 percent compared to April 30, 2010, while companies' deposits increased by 3.6 percent year – on - year. In foreign currency, public deposits rose by 2.5 percent in the last 12 months, and companies' deposits fell by 5.8 percent. Both individuals and companies put aside less in foreign currency in April compared to March. Individuals' deposits were down 0.6 percent, while companies', down 1.8 percent. The Governmental credit in Romania increased by 0.2 percent in April this year, compared to the previous month, to EUR 15 billion. On April 30, 2011, the governmental credit increased by 17.9 percent compared to April 30 last year. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com