Net loans outstanding, including leasing financing, reached RON 51.6 billion, marking a +20.5% YoY increase compared to March 2024 end, sustained by vigorous lending activity across both corporate and private individuals’ segments.
Lending to corporates stood out as the main growth driver, with a yearly advance of +31.9% YoY, while the retail segment continued to gain traction, achieving a solid +13.6% YoY increase at March 2025 end.
The first three months of 2025 have been strong in loan origination for individuals, with production reaching RON 3.3 billion, up by +41% YoY vs Q1 2024, building on robust performance in both consumer and housing loans. Consumer loans production totaled RON 1.9 billion, up +31% YoY, whereas housing loans production maintained a very strong growth pace, up by +59% YoY, to RON 1.4 billion.
At end of March 2025, individuals’ loans outstanding increased by +13.4% YoY. Additionally, small businesses contributed to the positive trend, with net loans outstanding increasing by 17.3% YoY, following several improvements of the standard loans offering and the Bank’s commitment to participate in the government initiatives to support SMEs.
„The first three months brought increasing commercial volumes on both corporate and retail segments, with net loans outstanding higher by +21% compared to end of March 2024. (…) Lending on corporates led the growth, with +32% YoY increase, while lending on retail continued to pick up, marking +14% YoY increase in loans outstanding. Loan origination for individuals reached RON 3.3 bn, close to record levels, higher by 41% vs Q1 2024, driven by volume growth on both consumer and housing loans,” said Maria ROUSSEVA, CEO of BRD Groupe Société Générale.
Leasing activity continued its solid growth trajectory, with net outstanding of leasing financing up by +15.1% YoY as of March 2025, above RON 2 bn, providing accessible and efficient financing solutions, tailored to clients’ needs.
Regarding customers savings, the deposit base increased by +5.2% YoY as of end of March 2025. Retail deposits, the stable and core source of funding, rose by +4.3% YoY, building on higher inflows in current accounts from private individuals. Deposits from corporates reached a YoY growth of +6.8%, underpinned by SMEs customers, with an increase of +14.5% YoY as of March 2025 in deposits outstanding.
BRD Group net banking income advanced by +9.7 YoY during Q1 2025, driven by higher net interest income and net fees and commissions. Net interest income marked an advance of +5.9% YoY during Q1 2025, on positive volume effect, driven by growth of both retail and corporate loans.
BRD Group gross operating income reached RON 507 million in Q1 2025 (+11.3% YoY) whereas cost to income ratio improved to 53.1% in Q1 2025 from 53.8% in Q1 2024. Excluding the tax on turnover and the cumulated contributions to deposit and guarantee fund, C/I would stand at 45.5% in Q1 2025 (vs. 46.3% in Q1 2024), -81 bps y/y.
(English version by Catalina Apostoiu)