For loans in lei, the central bank capped the maximum indebtedness ratio at 40% of monthly income, while the ratio for loans in foreign currency was capped at 20% for both consumer and mortgage loans.
For clients on their first mortgage, the indebtedness ratio may be increased by 5 percentage points.
So far, some banks have granted loans accepting an indebtedness ratio as high as 70%.
Central bank governor Mugur Isarescu said earlier this month the board was close to finishing talks on measures to limit the indebtedness ratio on loans to avoid a new build-up of non-performing loans.
We’ve talked to the industry. We’ve talked to other decision factors in Romania. We want lending to have a healthy base. It is for the benefit of consumers that they correctly assess their possibilities for reimbursement to avoid surprises. Payment difficulties of households and corporations are matters of financial security and we are concerned with that,” Isarescu said at that time.