Banks in Bosnia and Herzegovina expect that the second quarter of this year will be marked by an increase in the demand for loans from the population and the economy, a survey by the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina on credit activity of banks in BiH said.

As stated, there was an increase in the population's demand for housing, as well as for consumer and non-purpose loans in the first quarter of 2024, compared to the previous quarter.

Banks also predict that there will be a tightening of standards for consumer and non-purpose loans to the population in the second quarter, but that there will be an increase in the demand of companies for short-term and long-term loans and/or credit lines.

Business demand for loans grew in the first quarter of 2024. According to bank reports, the demand for long-term loans is higher than the demand for short-term loans.

In the first quarter of 2024, there was a slight decrease in the share of rejected applications for loans to companies compared to the previous period.

Eight banks were surveyed in the research, and the response rate to the survey was 100 percent.