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New credit to the economy grew by 15% last year

2026-02-05 22:33:50, Ekonomi CNA

New credit to the economy grew again at double-digit rates and reached a new historical record last year.

According to data from the Bank of Albania, the value of new loans disbursed reached 436.6 billion lekë, an increase of 15% compared to 2024.

In particular, December 2025 marked a record loan figure of 62.3 billion lek. This figure is 30% higher compared to December of the previous year and also represents a record value for the monthly value of new loans.

For 2025, lending grew at higher rates in the individual segment. Banks granted almost 127 billion lek in new loans in this segment, an increase of 19% compared to 2024.

Lending to individuals has continued to grow at high rates, both in the housing loan and consumer loan segments. Even the new measures applied by the Bank of Albania starting from the second half of 2025 have not brought visible results in terms of slowing down lending in this segment.

Lending to private enterprises also grew at double-digit rates, but at a slower pace than to individuals. During 2025, the banking sector disbursed a total of 296 billion lek in loans to businesses, a figure that increased by 10.2% compared to 2024. Business lending marked a strong upward trend, especially during the second half of the year. In particular, in December, banks granted 46 billion lek in new loans to businesses, 32% more compared to December of last year.

The loan portfolio for the economy at the end of 2025 reached the value of 943.5 billion lek. During December alone, the value of the portfolio increased by more than 18 billion lek. On an annual basis, the total loan portfolio increased by 12.9%. The growth of the portfolio accelerated further, compared to the growth of 12.3% in 2024.

Even in the portfolio balance, the highest growth is being recorded in the individuals segment, with 19.2% more compared to the end of 2024.

Meanwhile, credit to the business segment increased by 10% compared to the previous year. Business credit continues to dominate the credit structure for the economy, with around 55% of the portfolio.

By currency, the growth of credit to the economy continues to be concentrated to a greater extent in the Lek. The loan portfolio in Lek increased by 16.5% compared to a year earlier. It is now estimated that loans in Lek constitute approximately 60% of the loan portfolio to the economy.

However, foreign currency loans have also grown at double-digit rates, expanding by 10% compared to a year earlier. The foreign currency loan portfolio continues to be negatively affected by the exchange rate effect, but this effect was smaller during 2025./ Monitor.al