Speaking at a news conference, Bruynseels declined to give any numbers, but said most of the provisioning will be for non-performing loans in the corporate sector.
BCR, a unit of Austrian Erste Group Bank (EBS.RO), has switched to a loss of 90.5 million lei (around EUR21 million) in the third quarter, versus profit a year earlier, hit by rising provisions and higher costs.
The bank said net expenses with risk provisions for loans and down payments was RON1.61 billion at the end of September, equal to 20.8% of overall loans.
The sector of small- and medium-sized enterprises continues to face severe liquidity shortage and several large companies have defaulted on their debt following restructuring, according to BCR officials. The bank estimates the sector will gradually recover once Romania’s economic growth accelerates.