Recent news from the Bulgarian banking sector confirms what many property investors have known for a while – investment potential in Bulgarian property is one of the best in the world. Not only does capital growth top global rankings, but the Bulgarian mortgage sector is booming.

Data just released by RNCOS – a leading market research company – confirms that the Bulgarian real estate market was the world’s strongest in 2007. The RNCOS report, Bulgarian Banking Sector Analysis, also found that Bulgaria’s mortgage sector is one of the fastest growing in the banking industry with housing loans accounting for one third of all lending products.

The Bulgarian mortgage market may be young, but in its short life it has shown remarkable growth. After liberalisation of the mortgage sector in 2004, the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) increased by a massive 87% between 2004 and 2007 with growth for the period 2007 to 2010 predicted to be at a similar spectacular percentage.

Bulgarian National Bank figures report that Bulgarians took out over €2.5 billion in mortgages over the last year and home loans now account for almost half the loan total (a rise of nearly 25% over the last 3 years).

Not only has mortgage lending seen a massive hike, but Bulgaria has also experienced a huge increase in mortgage products. “Being able to choose from a variety of products is very important for the property investor,” comments Ken Thorkildsen, Director of Obelisk Private Finance, “and the choice in Bulgaria has improved almost beyond recognition in the last few years.”

Of particular interest to property investors are products for remortgaging and equity release. Equity release amounts have increased by up to 75% of the appraised value, which allows property investors leverage for other products, therefore providing the opportunity to expand their property portfolio.

Interest-only mortgages are also a vital tool in property investment and while these were previously for a maximum of 2 years, Bulgarian banks are now offering interest-only home loans for up to 10 years. “This is a real bonus to the Bulgarian property market,” says Ken. Furthermore, banks have recently reduced mortgage tie-in periods meaning investors who sell their property soon after purchase have less to pay in redemption charges. Some banks have cut tie-in periods to just 3 years.

With increased choice in Bulgarian mortgage options, independent financial advice is more important than ever before. “The investor’s maxim should be to minimise borrowing costs and, at the same time, ensure returns are maximised,” says Ken. “Only a professional financial adviser with up-to-date information can guide you through the myriad of new products available in the Bulgarian sector.”

Source: Obelisk Private Finance

The Bulgarian banking industry is growing at a rapid pace on the back of rising housing and property mortgage loans and concrete real estate sector.

RNCOS has released a new research report on the Bulgarian banking sector, “Bulgaria Banking Sector Analysis”, which says that the housing mortgage loans is one the fastest growing markets for the banking industry of Bulgaria, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of nearly 88% from 2007 to 2010.

According to the report, the Bulgarian housing mortgage loans experienced high growth in recent years at a CAGR of nearly 87% from 2004 to 2006 due to liberalization of the mortgage market, coupled with lower interest rates that made mortgage loans hugely popular in the country.

Moreover, the property sector in Bulgaria has been growing at a rapid pace for last few years, as a result, the demand for housing mortgage and property loans is growing in the country, says the research. Interestingly, housing and property loans accounted for more than one-third of the total lending in the country in 2006. And the level of investment in the Bulgarian real estate sector has escalated so high that it accounted for 40% of total foreign investment in the country during the first quarter of 2007.

A Senior Research Analyst at RNCOS said that the Bulgarian real estate sector emerged as the world’s strongest property market in 2007 with 26.22% jump in property investment compared to 2006, and the momentum is likely to continue in 2008.

The RNCOS study on the Bulgarian banking industry also gives forecast on disposable income, number of bankable households, loans/deposits ratio, loans/assets ratio, consumer loans, commercial loans, housing mortgage loans and agriculture loans extended by the banking industry.

In addition, the “Bulgaria Banking Sector Analysis” provides comprehensive information on the Bulgarian banking industry and evaluates product quality and the services it offers. The report also helps clients to identify the opportunities vital for the success of the banking industry in the country. It also offers in-depth analysis supplemented with statistical information on the baking industry to investors, financial service providers and global banking players to understand the market.

About RNCOS:

RNCOS, incorporated in the year 2002, is an industry research firm. It has a team of industry experts who analyze data collected from credible sources. They provide industry insights and analysis that helps corporations to take timely and accurate business decision in today’s globally competitive environment.

Source: RNCOS

Emirates Investment Group LLC, a United Arab Emirates-based group with property and financial investments, picked Sofia-based brokerage BenchMark Group AD to provide advice on the Balkan country.

Emirates Investment is exploring possibilities in hotels and banking in Bulgaria, Lyubomir Boyadjiev, BenchMark executive director, said in a phone interview in Sofia today.

“They are looking into options for investing in a Bulgarian bank or setting up a new one,” Boyadzhiev said, without giving further details.

Emirates Investment Chairman Sheikh Tariq bin Faisal al- Qassimi met with Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev and Economy and Energy Minister Petar Dimitrov yesterday to discuss “a wide range” of investment possibilities in Bulgaria, the government said in a statement today.

Source: Elizabeth Konstantinova, Bloomberg

The number of foreign banks interested in the Bulgarian market has reached 120, informed the Dnevnik a.m.

Since 2008 started, 28 new entries were made in the list. According to Bulgarian Central Bank the information doesn’t mean that the banks will necessary start doing business in Bulgaria.

The Dnevnik also reported that the list includes powerhouses like Credit Suisse, ABM AMRO, JP Morgan, Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs.

The single passport rule allows EU-registered banks to operate in any of the community markets without the need to apply for a local banking licence.

Source: International BG