Central bank governor confident in credit bureaus' future

Updated information on potential clients help banks administrate more efficiently the credit risks, stated National Bank Governor Dorin Dragutanu on the occasion of the issuance of the first credit history license to the joint venture “Biroul de Credit SRL”, Info-Prim Neo reports. “Of course, time is needed until all the required information is accumulated and the potential clients of the banks get used with such activities, but they will eventually see that a credit history can really ease their access to loans and, in certain cases, when the credit records are very good, get lower interest rates”, said Dragutanu. The governor remarked that the institution of credit bureaus will contribute to increasing financial discipline, as the borrowers will think twice before delaying payments on loans, fearing it could spoil their credit records. “Also, the credit bureaus will help to upgrade the country's credit rating, as investors will come to do business in Moldova more easily, knowing more about their potential business partners”, added the governor. Recently the National Financial Market Commission decided to grant a license to the company “Biroul de Credit SRL” for an unlimited period of time. The company is a joint venture founded by 13 commercial banks and a Romanian company, with a total investment of 10 million lei. Recently the National Bank announced the banking system had 4 billion lei available for lending; yet the process is moving slowly. The main causes mentioned by the banks is the rise in the share of unprofitable loans, and delays in payments on loans.