TIRANA, Sept. 16 /ATA/ – Lending to Albania’s private sector grew 14.3% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, taking its ratio to gross domestic product to about 35%, the highest level recorded in a decade, the Bank of Albania said on Wednesday.
The figures were discussed at a meeting between central bank Governor Gent Sejko and chief executives of commercial banks, also attended by Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj.
The talks focused on developments in the banking sector, credit growth, the property market and issues related to financial stability and the development of the financial system.
Sejko said the pace of lending was supporting consumption and investment, while stressing that credit growth should remain prudent and sustainable, backed by appropriate lending and risk-management standards.
Mortgage lending rose 16.1% year-on-year in the first half, while the average interest rate on lek-denominated mortgages stood at 3.9%.
The meeting also reviewed the Bank of Albania’s macroprudential measures governing housing finance, including limits on loan-to-value and debt-service-to-income ratios. Sejko said the measures had contributed to more prudent and balanced lending in the housing market.
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