Montenegro’s bank assets growth slows to 2.9% at end-Jan 2014 on falling lending activity

By bne IntelliNews February 24, 2014

Montenegro’s commercial bank assets grew 2.9% y/y to EUR 2.96bn at end-January 2014, slowing from a 5.4% y/y hike at end-December, due to falling lending activity, data from the central bank (CBCG) showed. The total assets-to-GDP ratio stood at 86.7% at end-January, down from 87.7% a year ago, according to IntelliNews calculations.

Bank loans shrank 2.9% y/y to EUR 2.22bn at end-January, following a 3% y/y rise the month before, dragged down by falling corporate lending and weaker growth of retail loans.

Corporate loans swung to a 6.2% y/y contraction in January from a 1.6% increase at end-December, with credits totalling EUR 1.0bn.

Retail loans went up 2.8% y/y to EUR 881.1mn, easing from a 8.9% y/y growth the month before.

Loans to financial institutions, which accounted for 15% of total loans, continued retreating, shrinking 19.6% y/y to EUR 356mn at end-January, after a 16.8% y/y contraction at end-December.

The average monthly lending growth stood at 5.5% in 2013 reversing a three-year period of decline supported by both the corporate and retail segments.

Related Articles

EIB surpasses investment milestone in the Western Balkans by investing €1.2bn in 2023

EIB Global, the financial arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB) for activities beyond the EU, set a new record by investing €1.2bn in the Western Balkans in 2023, the EIB said on February 9. ... ... more

bne IntelliNews Southeast Europe Outlook 2024

This Southeast Europe Outlook 2024 has been prepared by bne IntelliNews as part of a series of annual reviews providing updates on the geopolitical, macroeconomic and commercial state of ... more

Montenegro’s central bank says Serbian company wants to buy Prva Banka

Montenegro’s central bank said on November 10 it has received a request for approval of the purchase of a 50% stake in Prva Banka Montenegro from a Serbian company, not a Bosnian businessman as ... more

Dismiss