The rate of overdue loans registered by Romanian companies and individuals grew to 7.4 percent of the total bank debt, reaching EUR 4.4 billion in July, according to the Romanian Central Bank (BNR).

The total balance of loans and banks commitments also rose in July to EUR 67.7 billion. About 962,000 individuals and companies have at least one credit of more than around EUR 4,700 (RON 20,000).

Starting with March, the month-on-month growth of overdue loans has remained relatively constant at 3 percent. However, the growth slowed down compared to 2009 and 2010 and bankers have predicted a stabilization of the loan portfolio in the second half of the year, if the economy starts to recover.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Sxc.hu)