Considerably lower interest rates and the consequently higher disposable income, as well as economic growth accompanied with a rise in wages and the lowest unemployment rate, were the key drivers of lending activity. The y-o-y growth in loans to the private sector was almost two-digit in 2018, measuring 9.9%, and the loan structure was favourable.
In 2018 alone,  3  over RSD 240 bn worth of new investment loans was disbursed, which is the highest level so far. This supported the profitability of corporates, which has been on a constant rise since 2015.