The volume of lending by commercial banks (including loans to non-residents) increased by 2.9 percent compared to the previous month and reached 5.5 billion GEL by May 1, 2010. The volume of loans provided in the national currency increased by 79.9 million GEL (6.2 percent), while the volume of loans in foreign currency increased by 74.6 million GEL (1.8 percent).

By the end of April 2010 commercial banks issued to resident legal entities 636.6 million GEL worth of national currency-denominated loans (7.7 percent or 45.6 million GEL more compared to previous month) and 2.5 billion GEL worth of loans in foreign currency (3.2 percent or 78.2 million GEL more, respectively).

Out of the total volume of lending to legal entities, the biggest share falls on trade – 46.5 percent. Compared to March the volume of loans provided for trade increased by 2.7 percent or 39.1 million GEL and reached 1.5 billion GEL.

Share of loans provided to the industrial sector constituted 23.5 percent of all loans to legal entities and amounted to 748.6 million GEL by May 1, 2010 (10.5 percent or 71.2 million GEL increase compared to the previous month). 10.8 percent fall on construction, amounting to 344.2 million GEL (4.1 percent or 14.8 million GEL decrease, respectively). Thus, 80.8 percent of the total volume of lending to the legal entities falls only on three sectors – industry, construction and trade.

The volume of lending to individuals increased by 1.4 percent or 28.5 million GEL, during the past month, and reached 2.1 billion GEL by May 1, 2010.

Current statistical information is published on the statistics page of the NBG’s website.