
Businesses' demand for loans increased in the third quarter of 2024, due to their need for financing working capital inventories and making investments. According to the banks, the overall level of interest rates and the business confidence indicator also supported the expansion of loan demand.
Despite this high demand, banks have approved fewer business loans. The factors that influenced the high loan rejection rate were the banks' policies regarding collateral and the financial statements of businesses.
However, unlike individuals, lending standards for enterprises remained unchanged in the third quarter of 2024, both in loans to finance investments and in those to cover liquidity needs. Based on the size of the business, the standards were eased somewhat for the small and medium business segment, and were kept unchanged for large business loans.
Regarding the general conditions and terms on new loans granted to businesses, they were eased in the third quarter. Easing of credit terms and conditions in loans granted to small and medium-sized businesses, as well as to large ones, was achieved by applying lower margins on normal loans and increasing the size of the loan. On the other hand, banks reported higher margins on risky loans, as well as increased the number of conditions in the loan agreements signed with businesses.
How is the credit demand expected to be in the remaining months of the year?
The demand for business loans is expected to increase in the fourth quarter of the year, both in financing investments and in covering liquidity needs. Even in terms of business size, the demand for credit is expected to be higher, both in the small and medium business segment, as well as in the large business segment.