Around 4 million Romanians had loans from banks and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) in May, according to data from the Romanian Credit Bureau, Ziarul Financiar reported.

In all, credits granted by banks and by the top NBFIs amounted to 94.5 billion RON (equivalent to 26.2 billion euros) at the end of May.

The Credit Bureau was created nearly four years ago by the banks in the system to manage credit-related data. End-of-May data shows that the average credit taken out by a Romanian, either from a bank or from an NBIF, stood at 23,625 RON (around 6,500 euros).

For almost three years, the Bureau has been collecting both negative data (on the clients' overdue payments and on inaccurate statements) and positive data (on the type of credits contracted and on their value), even if there are no repayment problems.

At present the Bureau collects positive data from 24 commercial banks, which cover 92% of the retail market. Additionally, six NBFIs (leasing companies and consumer finance companies) contribute positive data to the Credit Bureau.