Out of the 38 banks that operate in the domestic banking system, 27 are expected to report positive information concerning loans granted to customers by yearend, an increase from only 13 banks (46% of the market) at present, stated Serban Epure, general manager with the Credit Bureau. As a result, the Bureau is now expected to "cover" more than 80% of the banking market.

Currently, only 13 banks are contributing positive information to the Credit Bureau, which means each bank receives and provides data on customers who contracted loans and have successfully repaid the sums they owed in time.

The Credit Bureau has already signed participation contracts with another 14 banks besides the 13 that currently contribute to the system. Starting as early as next month, "two major top 10 banks" would begin to report the necessary information, explained Epure.

According to the NBR, any positive information reported is a plus for banks waiting for the approval of their own "relaxed" lending norms. As regards overdue payments, 25 banks currently participate in the system, with a cumulated market share of above 97%, together with 6 consumer finance companies, a leasing company and an insurance company.

"The number of individuals with overdue payments to banks has increased over the past year, which, in fact, is a normal development linked to increased lending," stated Epure.

As for the banking system, the head of the Credit Bureau estimates that the level of overall overdue payments is below 2% of the loans granted by banks.

Asked about the total volume of overdue payments registered by the Credit Bureau, which was provided as statistical information last year, Epure said the institution would no longer publish information, but did not provide any comment on the reasons behind the decision.

At present, the institution's database includ