The banking sector disbursed 110,000 loans last year. Starting from 2023, Bank of Albania statistics provide for the first time information on the number of new loans disbursed by the banking sector, in addition to their value.

Although the lack of statistics for 2022 does not allow a comparison of the number of loans granted, what is observed during 2023 is a significant increase in the number of loans disbursed quarter after quarter. The total number of loans disbursed during the fourth quarter reached almost 31 thousand, from approximately 24 thousand loans in the first quarter of the year.

In addition to an improving lending trend, this also reflects a kind of credit seasonality, especially in the business segment.

According to the Bank of Albania, the number of loans disbursed for businesses last year reached almost 42 thousand, for a total value of approximately Lek 152 billion.

Business loans accounted for approximately 38% of the total number of disbursed loans. The average value of a business loan last year was Lek 3.63 million. The number of loans granted to individuals reached more than 68 thousand, for a total amount of approximately Lek 77 billion.

In number, loans to individuals make up about 62% of the total, while in value less than 34% of them. The average value of a loan for individuals was about Lek 1.13 million.