North Macedonia’s banking sector demonstrated notable resilience and expansion as loan portfolios surged by 12.7% year-on-year at the close of November. This growth reflects increased lending activity across several segments, with consumer and corporate loans contributing significantly to the overall uptick. Analysts attribute this rise to favourable economic conditions, supportive monetary policies, and a growing demand for credit from both households and businesses aiming to fuel investments and consumption.

Breaking down the growth by loan types reveals key drivers behind this momentum:

  • Consumer loans: Expanded by 15.3%, boosted by rising household borrowing for durable goods and housing.
  • Corporate loans: Increased by 11.4%, largely due to SMEs capitalizing on favourable credit terms to support expansion.
  • Mortgage lending: Saw steady growth of 9.8%, signalling…