Overdue loans of individuals and companies climbed to 4.37% ofthe overall volume, with the almost half a percentage point rise onDecember disrupting the flattening trend recorded in the last fewmonths of 2009, according to data from the NBR (National Bank ofRomania).
Analysts say the January leap of past due loans could be atemporary one, although they believe there is a strong chancebanks' loan portfolios will not significantly improve in the comingperiod.
"Debtors' behaviour in January could be strictly connected tothe significant spending in December, which made it impossible forthem to pay their instalments at the beginning of the year.Payments have probably just been delayed for a short while," saysCatalina Molnar, chief economist of RBS.
In January the overall amount of past due loans by thepopulation and companies reached 8.77 billion RON (2.1 billioneuros), from 7.82 billion RON in December, almost evenly shared bydebtors with RON-denominated loans and by those withforeign-currency loans.
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