"First Home" remains attractive: BRD and Bancpost say they are in

BRD and Bancpost, two top ten banks, have already announced their interest to participate in the fourth edition of the "First Home" scheme, under which the Government only guarantees 50% of the loans sold. The decision, announced just one day after the approval of the scheme, shows there is still interest, although several bankers had said recently that the Government's proposals were difficult to apply.

Representatives of the BRD, which received the second-biggest loan guarantee cap for "First Home" loans this year, say they broadly agree with the new terms and want to continue to sell loans through the government scheme.

"We are open for this new stage, as well. There are a few technical details that need to be analysed, but we are optimistic about participating in the next stage of the scheme," specified Adrian Jantea, director of promotion and distribution for individuals within BRD.

The Greek at Bancpost use an even more determined tone:

"Bancpost commits to participate in the next stage of the scheme because it is very useful in the current economic context. The Government has taken into account the suggestions made by banks," said George Georgakopoulos, senior executive director, head of household lending of Bancpost. ZF has asked banks that were allocated significant guarantee caps in the preceding stages if they would participate in the next stage of the government scheme. Only Bancpost and BRD answered a clear "yes", while the Portuguese at Millennium said they were looking with interest at the scheme, but have yet to make a decision. The Greek at Emporiki have also said they have not made a decision yet.

The Government Wednesday adopted an emergency ordinance to modify the parameters of the "First Home" scheme. The state will not allocate additional guarantees to the cap used so far, of around 1.5 billion euros. But the banks would have to accept a halving of the guarantees on loans already sold, with the amount released to be used to cover 50% of the loans sold from now on.

The maximum value of a "First Home" loan has been kept at 60,000 euros for a finalised home and 70,000 or 75,000 euros for homes that are to be built. The low 5% downpayment remains.