Loans

The National Bank of Serbia, NBS, on February 25 told commercial banks they must allow customers with loans in Swiss francs to repay their mortgages in euros, at lower interest rates, or with lower monthly repayment rates.

"The NBS estimates that implementation of this decision would significantly relieve the situation of borrowers.

Montenegro's parliament is due to debate a law on converting increasingly expensive loans in Swiss francs into loans in euro.

The law aims to help hundreds of borrowers who have been hit hard by the Swiss currency's sharp appreciation in January.

By Lorcan Roche Kelly

In a press release that jolted the markets, the ECB announced that it will no longer accept Greek government debt as collateral starting next week. But this news is not necessarily a potential liquidity disaster for Greek banks.

BELGRADE - The total credit debt of legal entities dropped by two percent compared to 2013, while the debt of citizens increased by around nine percent, the Association of Serbian Banks stated on Monday.

The debt per capita arising from loans and leasing services increased from EUR 834 in 2013 to EUR 861 in 2014.

By Alekos Lidorikis

Banks are making plans for a significant increase in credit in 2015, following a year that saw just 650 million euros issued in housing and consumer loans.

A total of 81 people, including bank employees, civil engineers and lawyers, have been implicated in a large mortgage scam uncovered by the economic crimes force, the Greek Police announced on Tuesday.

Athens Water Supply & Sewage Co. SA, Greece’s largest water provider, said 9-month net income fell 45 percent to 41 million euros ($51.1 million) from a year earlier as it charged less to those with lower income.

Turkey's Finansbank, owned by National Bank of Greece, said on Tuesday it secured a syndicated loan in two tranches of $397 million and 356 million euro ($442.6 million).

The loans will be used to finance foreign trade and has a maturity of 1 year, said the statement to the Istanbul stock exchange. [Reuters]

 One entity may manage all the nonperforming loans of lenders under resolution to maximize results

By Yiannis Papadoyiannis

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By Yiannis Papadoyiannis

Greek banks will be able to draw additional liquidity from the European Central Bank after Frankfurt issued a guideline on Friday that revises the “haircut” applying to securities issued or fully guaranteed by the Greek state.