Bulgarian banks recorded EUR 490 million in earnings by March 31, representing a 7.7% increase year-over-year, according to the Bulgarian National Bank. The banking system’s balance-sheet equity reached EUR 15.1 billion, marking a modest rise of 0.5% from the end of December 2025. However, impairment charges accrued on non-fair value financial assets totaled EUR 149 million at the end of March, significantly higher than the EUR 64 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
In the first quarter of 2026, the banking system’s assets amounted to EUR 119.5 billion, increasing by 0.3%. Liquidity remained robust, with the liquidity coverage ratio at the end of March standing at 278.6%. Regarding lending, total gross loans and advances reached EUR 79.3 billion by the end of the month, a 7% increase month-on-month.
The overall gross loan portfolio, which covers various sectors, expanded by 4% to EUR 67.6 billion. Deposits within the system totaled EUR 99.8 billion at the end of March, up 2.5% from the end of February. Household deposits increased by EUR 1 billion, while deposits from credit institutions grew by EUR 950 million.
On the asset quality front, gross non-performing loans and advances stood at EUR 2.2 billion at the end of March, an 11.1% rise from the end of December 2025. The net value of these non-performing loans and advances was EUR 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% compared to the previous year-end figure.
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