In the first quarter, the effects of seasonal factors were felt, but also the negative effects of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, which caused even greater uncertainty and worsened expectations. Placements in loans to non-financial entities grew solidly in the first quarter as well, with an annual growth of 10.1%. Most of the quarterly credit growth was aimed at enterprises, but growth was also observed in household loans.

      In the first quarter, the solvency of the banking system remained at a stable and solid level, with a capital adequacy ratio of 17%. Liquidity indicators are still at a satisfactory level and point to adequate management of the banks’ liquidity risk. The share of non-performing loans in the total loans of the non-financial sector was reduced to the historically lowest level of 3.1%, i.e. lower than the pre-pandemic level, so the quality of the banks’ loan portfolio is still solid.

      Uncertainty about the further course of events related to the covid-19 pandemic, which is still present, rising energy prices and fragmented and disrupted supply chains due to the conflict in Ukraine, as well as the strict restrictive measures introduced in China, are the most significant risk factors that will affect the future dynamics of the growth of economic activity and the activities of the banking system, the Report states.