The state-backed mortgage lending program First House will continue into a fifth stage in 2013, and with extra guarantees of EUR 200 million, which should cover at least until mid-2013. The banks which do not use their allotted sums on this program by the end of 2012 will be able to use them in 2013, adding to the 2013 budgets.

Some banks already finished their 2012 budgets and asked for extra money from next year's budgets: BCR, BRD, CEC Bank, Banca Transilvania, OTP, Unicredit Ţiriac Bank, Raiffeisen Bank, Credit Agricole and Leumi Bank.

The First House program fueled lending in Romania at a time when other types of loans were in less demand. The state – backed loans cover 95 percent of the value of a house bought via this loan, up to a maximum of EUR 57,000.

editor@romania-insider.com