The Bulgarian Financial Sector Zoltan Walko This paper gives a comprehensive overview of the financial sector in Bulgaria. While the primary focus lies on the banking sector as the main channel of financial intermediation, capital markets for Bulgarian assets are analyzed as well. After a brief description of the turbulent historical development of the banking sector, its main features today are presented. An in-depth analysis of the structure of assets and liabilities is then followed by an investigation of the role of foreign exchange. The present study confirms that the share of foreign currency-denominated domestic claims in total domestic claims on nonbanks has increased and that the share of foreign currency-denominated deposits in total domestic deposits of nonbanks has decreased. To explain these observations the study refers to the ongoing real appreciation process against the backdrop of the currency board arrangement which has been in place since mid-1997. Next, the development of profitability, capital adequacy and asset quality is explored. Finally, a special section is devoted to the role of Austrian banks in Bulgaria, which have a market share of about 11.5% and enjoy high profitability. 1 Introduction1 only a tiny proportion of Austrian Following the financial crisis during banks total assets in the CEE region, 1996—1997, the Bulgarian banking business in Bulgaria stands out in sector has gone through an impressive terms of profitability. process of stabilization in recent years, which has involved the privatization of 2 A Short History of the most banks, predominantly through Bulgarian Banking foreign investors. This has led to a System deepening of financial intermediation, Following major political changes, the although the share of banking assets in Bulgarian banking system was trans- percent of GDP remains relatively formed from a one-tier to a two-tier modest by international and even system comprising a central bank Central and Eastern European (CEE) and several commercial banks at the standards. Despite the intensified end of 1989. Banks which had previ- competition and smaller interest rate ously specialized in selected sectors margins, return ratios have remained were transformed into universal banks above those observed across the providing financial services to all EU-15. Notwithstanding the shift in sectors of the economy. At the same lending activity toward nongovern- time, the 59 branches of the Bulgarian ment borrowers and the intensifica- National Bank (BNB) were trans- tion of domestic lending activity, Bul- formed into commercial banks. As garian banks are adequately capital- the large number of state-owned com- ized, and the share of nonperforming mercial banks had proved to be ineffi- assets has significantly declined. This cient, the government created the environment also offers interesting Bank Consolidation Company (BCC) business opportunities for Austrian to encourage the establishment of banks. At the end of 2003, two Aus- larger operating units through merg- trian banks were active on the Bulgar- ers. As a result, the total number of ian market, with a combined market banks was reduced from 81 in 1992 share of more than 10%. Although to 42 in 1995. At the same time, the assets held in Bulgaria represent policies discouraged foreign banks 1 The author would like to thank Vanessa Redak, Thomas Reininger and Helene Schuberth for their valuable comments on this paper. This study represents a follow-up on Barisitz (2001). See also his analysis of the Romanian financial sector (Barisitz, 2004). 92 × Financial Stability Report 8 The Bulgarian Financial Sector from entering the Bulgarian market. It Faced with this situation, the BNB was not until 1994 that the first increasingly provided liquidity to the foreign investors entered the market, market to prevent large banks from when the Greek Xios Bank and the failing, finally losing control of money Dutch ING bank set up branches in supply and inflation. This series of Sofia. By the end of 1995 two other events culminated in a financial (i.e. banks had opened branches, and three currency and banking) crisis in foreign banks had received full bank- 1996—1997, which included a brief ing licenses. period of hyperinflation several banks The legal system sluggishly ad- did not survive and reduced the num- justed to the new environment. The ber of banks to 30 by the end of 1996. Law on the Bulgarian National Bank Having learnt from the crisis, came into effect in June 1991, and Bulgarian policymakers reformed the in 1992 the Law on Banks and Credit laws on the BNB and on commercial Activity was passed. Although this banks to correct the shortcomings latter law introduced a regulatory of earlier regulations. In mid-1997 a framework for commercial banking currency board arrangement was activities, regulatory controls re- introduced, which imposed strict con- mained limited, and banks operated trols on money supply. Encouraged in an environment without proper by the IMF and the World Bank, the supervision. Bulgarian authorities embarked on Credit policies were often charac- the privatization of the banking sector. terized by soft budget constraints (in particular with respect to traditionally 3 The Current Structure large borrowers, i.e. the sizeable loss- of the Banking System making state enterprises that lacked These efforts have shown many posi- reform), which finally resulted in an tive results. By the end of 2003, unprecedented boom in commercial around 98% of the total assets of the credit to the nonfinancial sector. Cou- banking sector were in private owner- pled with inadequate laws, insufficient ship. In 1996 this share had only institutional capacity and limited amounted to 18%. Privatization was (foreign) competition, this credit mainly conducted through foreign in- boom led to a surge in bad loans. By vestors: Foreign-owned banks (among 1995 roughly 75% of all bank loans them the countrys five largest banks) were classified as nonperforming accounted for around 85% of total (substandard, doubtful or loss). banking assets at the end of 2003.2 Table 1 Banking Institutions 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Number of banks 34 34 34 35 35 34 35 Share of private banks in total assets (%) 32.8 39.4 53.4 80.2 80.1 83.5 98.0 Share of foreign banks in total assets (%) 18.0 32.3 44.7 73.3 75.0 72.0 86.0 Number of employees . 22,266 21,616 20,997 Source: Bulgarian National Bank. 2 The values for private and foreign ownership at end-2003 are approximative, calculated on the basis of end- 2002 and mid-2003 values plus the share of DSK bank, which was sold to the Hungarian OTP in the second half of 2003. Financial Stability Report 8 × 93 TheBulgarianFinancialSector Back in 1996 their share had only been At the end of 2003, 31 insurance 9.6%. Out of the banks held in major- companies operated in Bulgaria, and ity foreign ownership in 2003, six their total assets amounted to around were branches of foreign banks. BGN 800 million (EUR 410 million). While the financial sector contin- Of these, 17 were foreign owned (in- ues to be dominated by the banking cluding one branch), accounting for sector, the nonbank financial sector nearly 60% of total assets. As to the comprises mostly pension funds and distribution of assets, a differentiation insurance companies. can be made between non-life and life The net asset value of the eight insurance companies. The former in- Bulgarian pension funds amounted to vested mainly in fixed-income securi- BGN 510 million (around EUR 260 ties, had deposits with credit institu- million) at the end of 2003, which tions or held cash, while the latter represented less than 3% of total primarily invested in fixed-income se- banking sector assets. The funds al- curities, shares in affiliated under- most exclusively invest domestically, takings and in participating interests with government securities, bank de- as well as in real estate used for own posits and mortgage bonds being the purposes. most widely used investment vehicles. Table 2 Concentration and Competition 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Market share of three largest banks in total assets (%) . 51.7 49.9 46.1 43.3 40.5 Market share of five largest banks in total assets (%) . 62.3 60.4 56.6 55.3 52.9 Herfindahl-Hirschman Index . 1,159 1,094 930 835 770 Interest rate spread (rate on new loans minus rates on new time and savings deposits) 11.3 10.7 9.8 10.9 10.7 9.8 8.6 Source: Bulgarian National Bank, OeNB calculations. The changes in the ownership Hirschman3 index of banking sector structure of banks have also contrib- assets provides evidence of an increase uted to increased competition in the in competition over the past decade. Bulgarian banking system. At the The index value declined from 3,000 end of 2003 there were 35 banks in 1993 to 1,159 in 1999 and further operating in the country. The three to 770 at the end of 2003. largest banks accounted for around The development of the interest 40% of total banking assets, while rate spread (defined as the difference the share of the five largest banks between interest rates on deposits of was 53%, which is a lower share than and loans to nonfinancial corporations in most new Central European EU and households) may serve as an indi- Member States. Also the Herfindahl- cator for the development of competi- 3 The Herfindahl-Hirschman index is calculated as the sum of the squared market shares (in percentage points) of individual banks. It can take values between close to zero and 10,000, with values below 1,000 suggesting a non-concentrated, values between 1,000 and 1,800 a moderately concentrated and values above 1,800 a highly concentrated market.