Skopje, 27 November 2024
Green loans registered annual growth in bank portfolios in the third quarter of 2024. According to the National Bank data, at the end of September 2024, the increase in green loans, compared to the same period last year, amounted to Denar 1.4 billion, or 7.4%. Compared to the end of 2019, when data collection and publication started, green loans increased by 2.8 times. Green loans are intended for projects that support sustainable, environmental objectives, or objectives that contribute to the green transition in society, such as investments in new ecological technology.
According to the National Bank data, at the end of the third quarter of 2024, the amount of green loans in banks’ balance sheets equaled Denar 20,350 million. For comparison, at the end of 2019 they amounted to Denar 7,176 million. As of the third quarter of 2024, the balance of loans to companies equaled Denar 19,355 million, while Denar 995 million to households.
The share of green loans to total loans remains relatively low, but since late 2019, as of the third quarter of 2024, it registered a change from 2.2% to 4.4%.
Recognizing climate risks in the long term, the National Bank took a proactive stance and set the increased awareness of climate change and the contribution to green sustainable economy as one of its strategic objectives. Through number of activities, our central bank encourages green financing, including monetary measures.
For such purpose, the National Bank started with the publication of quarterly data on green loans to households and non-financial corporations, available at: https://www.nbrm.mk/podatotsi_i_pokazatieli_za_bankarskiot_sistiem_na_riepublika_makiedonija.nspx