The increase in non-performing loans - one of the risks of the banking system this year Recorded by Emilia Olescu (TRANSLATED BY COSMIN GHIDOVEANU) тАв (Interview with Gabriela Folcu┼г, Executive Director of the Romanian Banking Association) An increase in the volume of non-performing loans is one of this year's risks for the banking system, Gabriela Folcu┼г, Executive Director of the Romanian Banking Association (ARB) told us. "The Balance of Non-Governmental credit evolved by 5.5% in 2020, as the economy contracted by 5.2%, according to estimates. Thus, paradoxically, we could also witness an increase in the degree of financial intermediation, up from 25%.". In 2021, lending is expected to record a growth rate at least equal to that of 2020, but this sector is also affected by uncertainties related to the evolution of pandemic. One of the identified risks is that of an increase in of non-performing loan ratio. "