The volume of lending by commercial banks (including loans to non-residents) increased by 1401.6 million GEL (30.6 percent) compared to the beginning of 2008 and reached 6.0 billion GEL. More specifically, the volume of loans provided in the national currency grew by 13.0 percent and constituted 1.6 billion GEL, while the volume of loans in foreign currency grew by 38.7 percent and reached 4.4 billion GEL. 86.6 percent of the growth of overall volume of loans represent the growth of loans in foreign currency.

By the end of December 2008 commercial banks issued to resident legal entities 678.5 million GEL worth of national currency-denominated loans (12.2 percent less than in the beginning of the year) and 2.6 billion GEL worth of loans in foreign currency (27.0 percent more than in the beginning of the year).

In the mentioned period the volume of lending has increased significantly in the spheres of Real Estate, Researches and Commercial Activity, where this indicator has increased almost 2.0 times and constituted 138.7 million GEL. The volume of lending increased 1.6 times in the sphere of Health Care and Social Services and equaled 36.1 million GEL. This rapid growth notwithstanding, the share of these sectors in the total amount of lending is insignificant and remains at the level of 4.2 and 1.1 percent.

Out of the total volume of lending to legal entities, the biggest share falls on trade - 47.1 percent. During the past 12 months the volume of loans provided for trade grew by 14.8 percent and reached 1.6 billion GEL.

Share of loans provided to the industrial sector constituted 20.4 percent of all loans to legal entities and amounted to 679.7 million GEL by January 1, 2009 (29.0 percent higher than in the beginning of 2008). 12.1 percent fall on construction, amounting to 301.1 million GEL (9.7 percent growth). Thus, 79.6 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 57.8 percent and reached 2.5 billion GEL by January 1, 2009.

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