OREANDA-NEWS. May 12, 2012. Prime Minister Vlad Filat met members of the Moldovan Banks' Association, according to the government's communication and press relations department.

The discussion was focused on the present situation in Moldova's banking system.

The head of the Banks' Association, Dumitru Ursu, reviewed the results of the work of the commercials banks in 2011. He emphasized that the Moldovan banking system managed to maintain stability, despite the risks triggered by domestic and external factors and the world financial crisis.

The unveiled data shows that all the Moldovan commercial banks ended the 2011 year with profits. The banking regulation indexes are eligible to the highest European standards, the banks' assets grew and 74 per cent of the capital of the banks represents foreign investments. Dumitru Ursu said the interest rate on banking loans dropped by almost a half over the past years, standing at about 13.5 per cent at present.

At the same time, the representatives of the Moldovan Banks' Association set a string of problems that need to be settled via consolidating the efforts of the state authorities and private sector. Among them, they pointed out the insufficiency of eligible projects for crediting and a low level of education of economic agents to correctly manage the financial risks. Also, the Association's representatives tackled aspects on the capitalization of the fund of guaranteeing deposits, improving the legal framework to enhance the level of professional performance in the field and diversify financial instruments, etc.

The prime minister appreciated the banks' work. He said that all the proposals made at the today's meeting will be considered attentively, and well-reasoned decisions are to be taken on each of the discussed subjects soon.

"The banking system represents the backbone of the country's economy. Thus, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient regulation for a good activity of the financial institutions," the prime minister said.

Vlad Filat stressed the need to ensure transparency of the structure of stockholders of the commercial banks and the security of stock companies, including the financial institutions. The prime minister also referred to the use of foreign assistance funds, highlighting the banks' role in this process.

Filat spoke out in favour of a conclusive dialogue between the government and the banking system's representatives, in order to ensure the state's financial security and improve the Moldovan banking system, while having at the basis the best practices in the area.

At the end of the meeting, the participants agreed to set up a working group made up of representatives of ministries and other state institutions, as well as members of the Moldovan Banks' Association. The working group will elaborate projects to improve the normative framework and modernize the financial system from Moldova.