People and companies in the Republic of Moldova in the first month of 2025 took out fewer loans from banks compared to December 2024. In total, loans of 5.72 billion lei were granted, by almost 30% less than in the previous month, IPN reports.

According to data published by the National Bank of Moldova, most of the money was borrowed in Moldovan lei, 4.52 billion lei. But the amount is by 26% lower than in December. Most often, people and companies raised loans for a period of 2 to 5 years.

Individuals borrowed 2.03 billion lei, almost the same amount as last month. More than half of this amount was consumer loans, i.e. for purchases, cars or other personal needs. The remaining 44% were mortgage loans, granted exclusively in lei.

The cost of borrowing remained almost the same. The average interest rate on loans in lei increased slightly to 8.39%, while on those in foreign currency decreased slightly to 5.57%.

For people who took consumer loans, the interest rate decreased slightly to 10.53%, and for those who borrowed money for homes, it increased slightly to 7.04%.

The data show that companies in January took out by almost 35% fewer loans in lei and by 33% fewer loans in foreign currency. Most loans, 62%, were raised by companies that do not operate in the financial sector.