Bankers made new loans to individual customers more expensive inSeptember for the third consecutive month, with the averageinterest rate climbing by more than one percent both for mortgageloans in euros and for consumer loans in RON, to 5.7% and 13.8%respectively, show data from the NBR (National Bank ofRomania).
Interest rate increases for retail loans were kicked off in Julyamid a worsening economic situation, as well as amid banks seekingto cover costs with implementing Ordinance 50, which sets out moretransparent terms for loans. The Ordinance has also capped thenumber of fees that can be charged by banks, so at present bankersare seeking ways to transfer the value of the fees eliminated intothe structure of the nominal interest rate.
"The volume of sales has fallen, fees are down and the only way torebalance revenues remains to increase interest rates. Even if thelaw eliminated all fees, it would not mean that we are rid of them.Lenders have structured their revenues in a certain way and theelimination of fees would mean revenue losses that would need to betransferred elsewhere," comments financial analyst AurelianDochia.
Pentru alte știri, analize, articole și informații din business în timp real urmărește Ziarul Financiar pe WhatsApp Channels
