Download Statement by Mr. Svetoslav Gavriiski, Governor of the Bulgarian

Statement by Mr. Svetoslav Gavriiski, Governor of the Bulgarian National
Bank, at the 14th Banking Meeting, Sofia, 5 December 2001
LENDING SHOULD BE A SOURCE OF INCOME FOR BANKS
Bulgaria will benefit from market stagnation, since as a result it
will pay $ 400 million less on its external debt
In the recent five years the banking system underwent a number of changes to reach to its quite good
and stable condition. The ending year, however, was a relatively difficult one, as many things changed
in the global financial world. Notwithstanding the abrupt change, particularly as the result of the
different yield on investments globally, this year seems to be a good one for the Bulgarian financial
system, and all banks will end it with positive results. The ratings it was given from abroad are also
encouraging. The stress tests made have shown that the Bulgarian banking system is capable of
withstanding various changes and significant pressures without being negatively affected. This is a
proof that Bulgarian banks can face the challenges of the future. The globally existing uncertainty does
not give clear signals as to what would happen next year, and how we can get the system prepared for
it. The yield on all financial instruments has decreased and is expected to continue decreasing. This
means banks' attitude to lending should change, because this is the only way to increase profitability
and the opportunities of all credit institutions to cover their expenses.
The argument on the lacking lending and the banking system's participation in the development of
Bulgarian economy is periodically revived. Nevertheless, if we look at the real numbers, I believe more
of the banks' positive results are accounted for by the reintegration of provisions, which indicates that
in the coming year we should pay serious attention to this indicator. We should admit that next year the
large amounts of deposits and investments abroad will feature a very low profitability, hence more
attention should be paid to lending. In the next days Roumen Avramov and I will take part in an ECB
seminar arranged for all candidate countries, specifically for assessing their financial systems.
Bulgaria holds one of the leading positions in terms of bank asset privatization. The privatization of
Biochim Bank is expected in the year to come, so the private holdings in the system will reach up to
90%. This is a level only one or two candidate countries have surpassed.
Bulgaria, however, leads in terms of the interest margin between interest on deposits and loans. This
is not good, and it indicates there is a need to reflect on improving lending conditions in this country
and increasing the amount of lending. I fully agree with this position, and I am not taking sides in the
argument between the two extremes - if there should be lending, and if there are proper conditions for
lending. I believe that reasonable risk should be taken, but also that good conditions should be more
generally provided for lending to our economy. By no means, however (and this should find its place
in the possible future arrangement with the IMF), would the government press commercial banks to
lend at non-market terms and conditions. Low-interest loans that will start being extended will be from
the government budget.
The good operation of the Currency Board Arrangement continues, and Bulgaria will be able next
year to service its debt without a drop in its foreign exchange reserves. Now we have the highest level
of forex reserves in the recent 5 years. In the past year it was DEM 7.2 billion, for this year we are
expecting a level over DEM 7.5 billion. This is more than USD 3.5 billion, which has never been
achieved so far. A significant role for this level of reserves was played by the Eurobond issue made by
the government, which had a stabilizing effect on both the forex reserves and the fiscal reserves of the
government. The latter has also reached one of its highest levels ever, which justifies the expectations
the government will be in position to service all its liabilities both domestic and foreign. As a
consequence of all adverse concurrences in the previous year, Bulgaria gained certain advantages both
as an indebted country and as a fuel importer. Due to the reduced interest on foreign currencies and
securities, our liabilities decreased considerably, and in the next year our debt will amount to a little
over $ 800 million, while previously it was evaluated at $ 1,200 million. This improves considerably
our position and the balance of payments. The expectations for oil price stabilization also provides
some advantages for us as a substantial importer of energy resources, and this, combined with the two
indicators, allows us to look with confidence at the level of the trade balance, the current account, and
the balance of payments in general.
I think that irrespective of the expectations for the next year we can state from now that we have no
reason to expect any problems in the financial area. The next IMF mission is coming, and I believe we
will be able to come to an agreement. This will add up to the financial stability of the country.
I believe that there is room for improvement of banks’ activities. Typical of any economy in
transition is the weak participation of the banking system as a mediator between financial resources and
companies. A big problem witnessed in the economies in transition, and to a smaller extent in Bulgaria,
is the participation of large foreign banks in the domestic market. I observe the trend of big foreign
banks taking their main banking business out of the country and rechanelling it to the respective head
office. I hope that this will not happen to the maximum extent in Bulgaria, and I think that the foreign
banks, operating here, will pay serious attention to the Bulgarian economy and invest more funds in it.
This is a real problem, because in a great number of countries foreign banks do have a considerable
share. In Bulgaria this share may soon reach up to 80%, which implies that the whole financial system
is dependent on the decisions of the head offices outside Bulgaria. I think that this is a serious problem
and I hope it will not be faced by our country. We can not disregard the good experience and the new
services offered by them. However, I think that so far the foreign banks have to a large degree fallen in
line or operated in tune with the behaviour of Bulgarian banks. Similarly, they are cautious in lending,
as they are unwilling to take a high risk, and I would like to see this behaviour changed.
We are looking forward to a great event in the beginning of next year. To my mind, this is an event,
which will bring about a world-wide change – and this is the introduction of the Euro. I think we are
ready to face this great challenge and that it will not cause any disturbances among the public, and of
course, within the banking system. In any case, for the time being I have no information whatsoever
about any existing problems with regard to the provision of banknotes or information on these
banknotes. Anyway, some tension during the first months of introducing the Euro would seem quite
normal to expect in Europe and world-wide, but let’s hope it does not last too long.
The level of deposit guarantee was increased, which to a large extent backs up the mass of deposits
within the banking system. I believe that this will strengthen the public confidence and will boost up
deposit growth. This, on the one hand, will have a positive effect, and on the other – will create a
problem: you will be at a loss as to how to handle the funds thus collected, given the sufficient
resources that you already have. This has its good and its bad side. Nevertheless, I believe that the
economy has taken a good direction and there are already large companies, both local and foreign,
which can use funding from the banking system. I do not know why we still rely on the stability pact,
which, to my mind, is just an idea – we have only been listening about projects for over two years now.
I, personally, have not seen any such project implemented.
We discussed the reduction in the minimum reserve requirement. The development of the banking
system does not need any abrupt changes as this would only bring about, time and again, pressure on
the foreign exchange market in a direction of foreign currency demand. However, we have not given up
completely the idea, or the discussions of any such ideas. I think it would be good to discuss the
possibility of differentiation, reduction of the minimum required reserve against the long-term deposits,
held by banks.
I will reiterate that in the next year I hope there will be no disruptions. I think that we have sufficient
reserves to meet both economy development and the enhancement of its efficiency, so there is no need
to revise any exchange rates or abandon the Currency Board Arrangement. Our way of walking out of
the currency board will be the accession to the Euro. When I say the Euro, I certainly do not mean
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euroisation. With our accession to the EU, and our participation in the European System of Central
Banks we will in effect walk out of the currency board. That is the most favourable exit for Bulgaria.
I would like to wish you much health and success.
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