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Credit continues to grow in Albania
18/04/2007
For two years in a row, the number of loans has increased by over 50% in Albania, and the country is drawing increased attention from well-known European banks.
By Jonilda Koci for Southeast European Times in Tirana – 18/04/07
Central Bank Governor Ardian Fullani says he expects more foreign banks to invest in Albania. [Getty Images]
Credit growth in Albania continues to stay strong, increasing by 55% in 2006, according to the Bank of Albania. About 1.5 billion euros in loans last year supported the Albanian economy, especially small and medium enterprises.
"The banking system in Albania has been transformed into a promoter of the country's economic sustainability, by extending funds to the economy," said Central Bank Governor Ardian Fullani.
For the second consecutive year, Albania is experiencing a credit boom. In 2005, loans increased by 75% and credit amounted to 14.6% of GDP. However, the country is still below the regional standard -- 25% of GDP.
Around 70% of the loans are distributed in foreign currency -- euros and dollars -- due to better interest rates. Nevertheless, the percentage of loans distributed in the national currency, the lek, is on the rise. Most loans are granted for business purposes -- trade, construction and industry. Recently, however, banks have been competing fiercely for the remaining market.
Although the expansion of credit can spur economic growth, central bank officials worry about a corresponding increase in bad credit. To address this problem, the bank is opening a credit bureau, which will scan creditors' data to avoid fraud and build loan histories for clients.
Well-known European banks have been taking an increased interest in Albania. One of the largest banks in Italy -- San Paolo Imi -- bought a majority stake in the American Bank of Albania last fall. Three years ago, Austria's Raiffeisen Bank began operating in the country, via the privatisation of the state-owned Savings Bank of Albania. In all, 17 banks currently operate in Albania, most of them holding foreign capital.
"The entry into the market of distinguished European banks is an accomplishment of last year, which is expected to continue during the current year," Fullani says. Indeed, France's Societe Generale is now concluding its acquisition of a majority stake in Popular Bank -- a young Albanian bank owned by a number of Albanian businessmen.
According to the Albanian business magazine Monitor, a number of prestigious German and Austrian banks are gearing up to enter the Albanian banking sector. Germany's Deutsche Bank, Austria's Erste Bank, the Austrian-Italian bank Unicredito, Greece's Eurobank and Hungary's OTP are among those that have expressed interest.
This content was commissioned for SETimes.
http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/...4/18/feature-03
18/04/2007
For two years in a row, the number of loans has increased by over 50% in Albania, and the country is drawing increased attention from well-known European banks.
By Jonilda Koci for Southeast European Times in Tirana – 18/04/07
Central Bank Governor Ardian Fullani says he expects more foreign banks to invest in Albania. [Getty Images]
Credit growth in Albania continues to stay strong, increasing by 55% in 2006, according to the Bank of Albania. About 1.5 billion euros in loans last year supported the Albanian economy, especially small and medium enterprises.
"The banking system in Albania has been transformed into a promoter of the country's economic sustainability, by extending funds to the economy," said Central Bank Governor Ardian Fullani.
For the second consecutive year, Albania is experiencing a credit boom. In 2005, loans increased by 75% and credit amounted to 14.6% of GDP. However, the country is still below the regional standard -- 25% of GDP.
Around 70% of the loans are distributed in foreign currency -- euros and dollars -- due to better interest rates. Nevertheless, the percentage of loans distributed in the national currency, the lek, is on the rise. Most loans are granted for business purposes -- trade, construction and industry. Recently, however, banks have been competing fiercely for the remaining market.
Although the expansion of credit can spur economic growth, central bank officials worry about a corresponding increase in bad credit. To address this problem, the bank is opening a credit bureau, which will scan creditors' data to avoid fraud and build loan histories for clients.
Well-known European banks have been taking an increased interest in Albania. One of the largest banks in Italy -- San Paolo Imi -- bought a majority stake in the American Bank of Albania last fall. Three years ago, Austria's Raiffeisen Bank began operating in the country, via the privatisation of the state-owned Savings Bank of Albania. In all, 17 banks currently operate in Albania, most of them holding foreign capital.
"The entry into the market of distinguished European banks is an accomplishment of last year, which is expected to continue during the current year," Fullani says. Indeed, France's Societe Generale is now concluding its acquisition of a majority stake in Popular Bank -- a young Albanian bank owned by a number of Albanian businessmen.
According to the Albanian business magazine Monitor, a number of prestigious German and Austrian banks are gearing up to enter the Albanian banking sector. Germany's Deutsche Bank, Austria's Erste Bank, the Austrian-Italian bank Unicredito, Greece's Eurobank and Hungary's OTP are among those that have expressed interest.
This content was commissioned for SETimes.
http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/...4/18/feature-03