Erste Bank: credit demand for small and medium-sized businesses may fall

Erste’s demand for credit may fall, according to Erste

The financial institution’s SME business performed outstandingly in the first quarter, with new placements growing 27 percent and loans and bonds up 11 percent year-over-year. The expansion is due to the supported loan schemes, with the expiration of traditional, self-financed financing solutions may come to the fore. At the same time, the risks will become more significant, with companies likely to take better account of the effects of inflation, price rises, exchange rate movements, war and the embargo before applying for credit, Erste Bank explained the likely decline. (MTI)