The banks and private companies have taken in most of the short-term foreign loans accounting to some 98.7%. The rally in the short-term debt was mainly influenced by the increased number of funds drawn by the local
banks on short term (periods smaller than one year), up by EUR 1 bn to EUR 8.8 bn. While the banks attracted larger amounts, the companies reported a slight decrease against June, from EUR 9.6 bn to EUR 9.37 bn. The high foreign debt is considered by the external analysts as
one of the risk factors of the Romanian economy, together with the current account deficit, with the boom of the short-term loans being the major concern, as they represent some 70% of the foreign currency reserves of the National Bank of Romania (BNR). The short-term foreign debt has reported a rapid growth since 2005. While the balance amounted to EUR 2.7 bn at the end of 2004, it had grown fourfold by December 2006, to EUR 10.9 bn. The previous historical record was achieved this March, when the short-term foreign loans totaled some EUR 18.22 bn. In addition to the increase of short-term financing, the banks have borrowed more money and on longer terms, with the balance of such debts exceeding EUR 10 bn. Moreover, the medium and long-term deposits attracted by the local banks from non-residents have slightly hiked, reaching a new high of EUR 5.97 bn.