Total loans to the banking system showed a significant decrease in February 2021, as the repayments of the installments started after the end of the general moratorium at the end of 2020, while the renewed installment suspension decree for 2021 had a small effect on the rest of the loans.
In particular, according to data from the Central Bank, total loans in February 2021 recorded a net decrease of € 288 million, compared to a net increase of € 2,8 million in January 2021.
The annual rate of change reached 2,1%, compared to 3,1% in January 2021, with the balance of total loans in February 2021 amounting to € 31,5 billion.
According to the CBC, the installment suspension based on the new decree of the Minister of Finance concerned loans to households and non-financial companies amounting to just € 55,2 million.
Reduction in deposits as well
Deposits also showed a decrease in February, which fell by € 92,4 million compared to a net decrease of € 349,3 million in January 2021.
According to the CBC, the annual rate of change reached 0,2%, remaining stable compared to January 2021, while the balance of deposits in February 2021 reached € 47,9 billion.