TIRANA, Oct 10 /ATA/ – The ratio of non-performing loans (NPLs) in Albania’s banking system slightly rose in August, central bank said on Tuesday.
The Bank of Albania the NPLs ratio slightly increased to 5.3% in August from 5.28% in end of July.
The NPLs ratio also slightly rose from 5.2% during the same period of the previous year.
Bankers deem that the upward trend in NPLs ratio is largely driven by appreciation of the Albanian national currency in the domestic market, decreasing value of the portfolio in foreign currencies.
Central bank also said that the loan portfolio for the economy rose 1.9% year-on-year to to 724.6 billion lek in the end of August.
Bank lending growth this year continues to rely mainly on the household segment, with this portfolio rising 8.9% compared to a year ago.
/r.e/u.sh/
