Home loans drive rise in new loans

Home loans drove much of the rise in new bank lending in Albania in May, central bank figures show.

Banks issued about 39.9 billion leks in new loans during the month, almost unchanged from April but 16% higher than in May 2025.

Business lending stood at about 25.5 billion leks, close to the previous month and 16% higher than a year earlier.

Household borrowing rose faster. New loans to individuals increased by 25% year on year to 14.2 billion lek.

Almost half of the total annual increase came from mortgages. Banks issued 6.6 billion leks in new home loans in May, 54% more than a year earlier and the highest level for mortgages in lek since records began in 2015.