Non-performing exposures rose in April

Non-performing exposures (NPEs) rose slightly in April pushed upwards by increased restructuring, according to Central Bank data released on Saturday.

NPEs in April reached €5.14bn compared with €5.13bn the previous month. The ratio of NPE to total loans rose to 18.1 per cent in April, from 17.9 per cent the previous month, while total loans dropped to €28.44bn in April from €28.63bn in March.

Loans in arrears over 90 days, that is net NPEs excluding restructured facilities that under the EBA directive continue to be classified as non-performing for at least a year, declined to €3.92bn in April from €4.0bn the previous month.

Total restructured facilities rose to €2.32bn in April, from €2.22bn the previous month and €2.23bn at the end of 2020, indicating the increased restructuring in the banking sector after the end of the repayment holiday due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the CBC, total provisions at the end of April reached €2.6bn, of which €2.43bn was associated with NPEs.

Of the total €5.13bn NPEs in April, €2.75bn were held by households and €2.18bn were business NPEs, the CBC said.