In an economic setting marked by threats and bad news, it is essential to remain realistic. And this when it comes to both the decision people will make in this election year, and for the smooth operation of the economy. The standard of living of Romanians, which has been increasing despite the chained crises, is part of this realism.  How should we relate to the election year and the bad news? Why is saving growing faster than borrowing? What solutions are therefor consumers with CHF loans? These are just some of the topics debated on in the Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (ABDRC) in the 5th episode of #PodcasturileCSALB, featuring Flavia Popa and Dragoș Gheorghe, in a discussion moderated by Denis Ciulinaru.

| ABDRC PODCAST | https://youtu.be/l1TBiH_8uuI

This is the 4th year of ABDRC interviews with senior executives of the banking system and legal experts. This year, leading business journalists are invited to debate the hot banking topics in the Alternative Banking Dispute Resolution Centre (ABDRC). We review the news and their impact on the financial and banking market, as well as how consumers relate to their credit institutions, against a volatile and unpredictable socio-economic background.

“Lots are being said these days about the high interest rates, inflation, the election year and the war next door. And just hearing them give us shivers. Under such circumstances it, wouldn’t hurt to remember that joke with the pessimist who sees the darkness in the tunnel, the optimist who sees the light, and the realist who sees the train’s front lights; but it is the engine driver who sees them all fearing, one way or another. It would feel good to be in the engine driver’s shoes and see that not only in Romanian there is inflation and elections are coming; still, on the other hand, we don’t do as bad as they say.

The GDP per capita in Romania is currently at almost 77% of the European average. I would also add the increase in average life expectancy to more 76 years. And the cost of living in stays low in Romania. For instance, it is at only 46% of the cost of living for an American. We rank in top 50 countries worldwide at two important items: providing for the basic needs, and opportunities offered by the society.

We see that the demand for both personal and real estate loans is on the rise. Deposits are also growing, and they grow faster than loans, and this is a sign of a healthy of the economy. This equals sound financial literacy. For social peace it is essential that people are prudent, save and manage better their resources.”

“Loads of ideas of solely political, and not necessarily economic substance are thrown on the market, with the only outcome of creating tension and, in the end of the day, uncertainty. How should people relate to them?”

“We cannot overlook that the trust of people, businesses and investors comes from a stable social and economic climate. It is all the more reason that the choices each of us makes this election year drive this stable climate. And it is of utmost importance that the parties involved are consulted first when legislative initiatives are put forward. We need to stay away from populism and move even further away from a mindset where the first solution to address the budget deficit is to act against businesses and tax them more. The main goal for an election year should be to prevent that the economic climate is disturbed by population regulations. Let us remember that during the pandemic, in deep crisis, banks acted faster than lawmakers in searching for solutions, moratoria, ways to defer payment and commitments from their clients. No bank wants a portfolio of bad loans. That’s why we sought for solutions, including via ABDRC. To my mind, a client telling you why they are dissatisfied with their bank is a generous client because they let you know what you do wrong. Sometimes, the bilateral discussions between banks and their clients may slightly undermine trust. And here, a third opinion, that of ABDRC, is much appreciated.

Clients make mistakes, too. For instance, the flip side of digitalization is bank fraud. Digitalization helps us and makes our lives easier, but it also exposes us to great hazard. Unfortunately, there’s not much banks can do when consumers disclose their personal data. I kindly remind consumers that their bank will never ask them for information such as login details or PIN codes. Once this data is disclosed, our security systems are useless, and the money in accounts is at the mercy of criminals.”

“ I remember my law student days back in 2007, the year of our EU accession. Looking back, I see Romania now in a completely different place, a much better one than before the accession. Like any other developing and transforming economy, we’ve had our share of trace-leaving stories. In the not too distant past, loans were extended too easily, with but superficial and disconnected from reality analyses by lenders. Some of these old stories have not yet seen their end even today, and their characters are borrowers in CHF. Those who still pay such loans have seen their borrowed amounts doubling since they took their loans in CHF. Debtors have aged, and they no longer have the same energy and work power as they used to have at the time of contracting. They have suffered health problems, retired or seen their families growing in numbers and with these, also higher costs. In such instances, which can easily lead to repayment problems, the only option left is to turn to ABDRC. After having negotiated with the bank, we can propose writing off a part of the outstanding amount. Or we can make the bank a proposal of payment deferral, contractual interest renegotiation, or termination of fees. These are small adjustments that can improve the consumer’s situation, even if the underlying contract problem cannot be radically changed. Basically, we adjust other costs to have a satisfied consumer.

In tense times, like these days, people should not be overwhelmed by pessimistic and panic-causing news. We should start from a basic economic principle: money must keep moving, particularly as we live in an interconnected economy. People need to be encouraged to consume and thus give a boost to production.”

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  About ABDRC: ABDRC is an entity set up under a European Directive, and intermediates, free of charge and in not more than three months, negotiations between consumers and banks or NBFIs, for contracts/agreements in progress. Consumers from any county of the country may file applications with the Alternative Banking Dispute Resolution Centre (ABDRC) filling-in an online form directly on the website www.csalb.ro. Once the bank accepts to enter the conciliation/negotiation procedure, a conciliator is appointed. ABDRC works with 17 conciliators, of the best specialists in law and with relevant experience also in the financial and banking field. Everything is settled amicably, and the understanding between the parties has the power of court judgment. More information about the work of the Centre is available by phone at 021 9414 (charged a normal rate).