The Romanian banks hold in their portfolio Government papers (bonds and bills) worth 7% of GDP, the highest amount in Europe, and this might bring them significant losses if the interest rates are rising and the yield curve flattens, according to Florian Neagu, deputy head of the macrostability division of the National bank of Romania (BNR), quoted by Economica.net. The losses potentially incurred by banks under adverse scenarios may reach 17.6% of the portfolio of assets and liabilities sensitive to interest rates, he explained. The banking system’s profitability is high, and the solvency ratio is strong, he said, adding that all these can deteriorate under certain circumstances. In fact, the Romanian banks’ profitability (13% return on equity versus 7.6% in EU) is above the EU average, and above the profitability in the real sector, the BNR official stated. The solvency ratio (22% versus 17.1% in the EU) is also above average, and the non-performing loans ratio is still small (3.7%) even if above the EU average (2.5%). However, the solvency ratio can lose 2pp from distributing dividends, another 2pp when building up provisions next year. The losses generated by adverse developments of the interests and yield curve would come on top of these two effects.
The Bucharest Community Foundation has announced funding for two new projects aimed at enhancing climate resilience in the Romanian capital by implementing sustainable ecological solutions to improve urban infrastructure and environmental quality. The projects were selected through the sixth round of the Environmental Platform for Bucharest initiative. Out of 16 eligible proposals, the jury chose […]
One of the hostages released on Saturday, February 22, by the terrorist organization Hamas also holds Romanian citizenship. The exchange took place before another setback in negotiations and exchanges. Hostages Tal Shoham and Avera Mengistu were released during a staged event in Rafah, and hostages Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, and Omer Wenkert were released […]
Polish company Scallier, who is expanding its network of Funshop Park retail parks in Romania, is set to open a new shopping center in the Arad region. The opening date for the roughly 10,000 sqm retail park is March 6. The decision to build a retail park in the Arad region in western Romania was […]
Morphosis Capital Fund II has made its first investment outside Romania by acquiring a minority stake in EnduroSat, a leading European provider of high-end satellites and space services. The investment is part of a broader funding round aimed at accelerating EnduroSat’s expansion in the fast-growing "New Space" industry. EnduroSat, founded by Raycho Raychev, specializes in […]
Approximately 11.2 million Ukrainian citizens have entered Romania during the three years of war, the Romanian Border Police reported on Monday, February 24. In total, from February 10, 2022, to February 23, 2025, a total of 11,191,703 Ukrainian citizens have entered Romania. Globally, around 7 million Ukrainian refugees reside in other countries at the moment. […]
February 24, 2025, marks three years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In this context, interim president Ilie Bolojan reaffirmed Romania's full commitment to Ukraine's freedom, sovereignty, and independence. In a post on X, the Romanian leader said, "As we count 3 years since Russia's full-scale invasion against Ukraine, Romania reaffirms its full commitment to UA's […]
