Pengab indicator increases for third month, raising hopes for banking sector

Bankers are expecting the second half of the year to be much better for business than the first, as the Pengab banking climate index increased in August for the third consecutive month. According to a survey by Instytut Pentor, 55% of bank outlets recorded an increase in lending. Bankers are aware of the still-considerable obstacles to borrowing by customers, p rimarily high interest rates, but 70% of them expect an increase in bo rrowing in the fall. Half also expect more term deposits. However, for the time being, deposits are on the decline, as current deposits grew in only 42% of bank outlets last month. According to 55% of bankers, lower incomes are to blame for the negative trend in deposits. (Puls Biznesu, p. 7) T.J.