Loans granted to companies from January 31 - April 30 increased by 13.4 percent. The most rapid growth was for national currency loans, 15.9 percent higher, while foreign currecy loans were subject to slower dynamics of only 10.83 percent. Company behavior is different than that of individuals, the latter obtaining loans in foreign currency.
By the end of April, according to data provided by the National Bank of Romania (BNR), foreign currency loans obtained by companies amounted to some RON 27.5 billion (€8.78 billion), compared to some RON 26.1 billion (€8.34 billion) worth in national currency loans. A high level of company loans does not reflect the financing of export dedicated production, but rather amounts used for import activity.
From a regional perspective, the highest foreign currency loans are contracted by companies in developed areas of the country, Bucharest being by far the largest consumer of this type of loan - almost half of the entire amount contracted by companies in the capital city. The counties with the lowest standard of living are also ones with lowest amount of bank loans, directly proportional in certain areas with the number of companies listed in the area.
By the end of June the national currency loans amounted to some RON 29.31 billion (€9.35 billion), 3.2 percent higher than in May and 39.9 percent higher than in June 2006, while foreign currency loans in the same period reached RON 30.73 billion (some €9.80 billion), 1.7 percent lower than in the previous month, and 25.6 percent higher than in June 2006.
