The volume of lending by commercial banks (including loans to non-residents) decreased by 26.9 million GEL (0.5 percent) compared to July 1, 2009 and amounted to 5.3 billion GEL by August 1, 2009. The volume of loans provided in the national currency decreased by 16.4 million GEL (1.3 percent) and constituted 1.2 billion GEL, while the volume of loans in foreign currency decreased by 10.5 million GEL (0.3 percent) and constituted 4.1 billion GEL.

By the end of July 2009 commercial banks issued to resident legal entities 482.9 million GEL worth of national currency-denominated loans (0.1 percent or 254.9 thousand less than in the previous month) and 2.5 billion GEL worth of loans in foreign currency (0.4 percent or 9.5 million less than in the previous month).

Out of the total volume of lending to legal entities, the biggest share falls on trade – 45.5 percent. Compared to the previous month the volume of loans provided for trade decreased by 0.9 percent and amounted to 1.4 billion GEL.

Share of loans provided to the industrial sector constituted 20.9 percent of all loans to legal entities and amounted to 623.2 million GEL by August 1, 2009 (0.6 percent less than in the previous month). 12.0 percent fall on construction, amounting to 358.9 million GEL (1.2 percent increase compared to the previous month). Thus, 78.5 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 decreased by 0.8 percent, during the past month, and amounted to 2.1 billion GEL by August 1, 2009.

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