The financial leasing market rose by 15% in Romania last year as the new financings granted by leasing companies reached EUR 1.6 billion, according to the ALB Romania leasing association.

The car financings represented 76% of the total, namely EUR 1.2 billion. The equipment financing was EUR 329 million, or 20% of the total, while the real estate sector received some EUR 44 million, or 2.7% of the total.

The financing for vehicles rose by 23% compared to the previous year, as the new car sales went up by 16% last year with most purchases done by companies.

The leasing market recorded the best dynamic after the crisis, said ALB president Felix Daniliuc. The positive evolution will continue in the next years, he added.

The leasing divisions of the local lenders UniCredit, BCR, BRD, Raiffeisen and the company controlled by the Austrian group Impuls Leasing financed last year goods of EUR 800 million, namely over half of the whole market.

UniCredit Leasing remained the market leader, with a market share of 18%. It financed goods of almost EUR 300 million last year, a fifth over the level in 2014.

editor@romania-insider.com