LISBON: Consumer credit doled out by the Portuguese financial system surged an annualised 30.7% in April 2015 and amounting to some €403.1 million, the Bank of Portugal reported.Nevertheless, this still saw a month-on-month fall in the amounts loaned on a medium term basis, down 8.4% from the €439.8 total registered in March.
As regards specific credit loans, automobile loans reflected the ongoing recovery in new vehicle sales with April seeing a year-on-year rise of 72.6% in this loan type to account for €31.6 million. In terms of personal credits, whether for the home, loan consolidation or other purposes, April’s 33.7% rise year-on-year saw some €183.5 million go out in financing according to the bank’s report.
The other credit loan category, credit cards and other lines of financing, overdrafts and similar saw a 3.1% rise in April to reach €76.1 million.