The volume of lending by commercial banks (including loans to non-residents) increased by 956.8 million GEL (19.8 percent) compared to March 1, 2008 and reached 5.8 billion GEL by March 1, 2009. More specifically, the volume of loans provided in the national currency decreased by 7.5 percent and constituted 1.5 billion GEL, while the volume of loans in foreign currency grew by 33.3 percent and exceeded 4.3 billion GEL. Thus the growth of overall volume of loans is the result of the growth of the foreign currency denominated loans.

By the end of February 2009 commercial banks issued to resident legal entities 597.3 million GEL worth of national currency-denominated loans (31.2 percent less than a year ago) and 2.6 billion GEL worth of loans in foreign currency (22.2 percent more than a year ago).

In the mentioned period the volume of lending has increased 1.7 times in the sphere of Real Estate, Researches and Commercial Activity and constituted 137.1 million GEL. The volume of lending increased 1.4 times in the sphere of Health Care and Social Services to equal 37.5 million GEL. This rapid growth notwithstanding, the share of these sectors in the total amount of lending is still insignificant.

Out of the total volume of lending to legal entities, the biggest share falls on trade - 47.0 percent. During the past 12 months the volume of loans provided for trade grew by 3.9 percent and reached 1.5 billion GEL.

Share of loans provided to the industrial sector constituted 19.9 percent of all loans to legal entities and amounted to 631.1 million GEL by March 1, 2009 (18.6 percent higher than in the same period of 2008). 12.3 percent fall on construction, amounting to 390.7 million GEL (4.4 percent growth). Thus, 79.3 percent of the total volume of lending to legal entities falls only on three sectors – industry, construction and trade.

The volume of lending to individuals has grown significantly during the reporting period, by 36.5 percent, and reached 2.3 billion GEL by March 1, 2009.

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