"Interest rates in Georgia could be higher than in countries with cheaper funding, but they are substantially lower than in countries with similar monetary policies," Alexandre Dznelaidze, President of the Association of Banks, states.
According to him, part of society has a negative attitude not towards banks, but towards banking services, and the banking sector is actively working to rectify this situation.
Alexander Dzneladze believes that the banking sector is the most transparent sector in Georgia.
What was 2025 like for the banking sector? What was the dynamic?
Profits in 2025 are quite high. In 2024, the growth rate was above the standard level, driven by many factors. This year, the processes have slowed down, but this slowdown does not mean something negative. It is a typical response to such processes: stabilization and steady growth. According to this year's data, the banking sector grew more than expected. Expectations ranged from 10 to 15%, and it can be said that by the end of the year, it will be a very good year for the banking sector as a whole.
Processes in the country’s economy automatically affect the banking sector. If the economy grows, the banking sector grows; if the economy struggles, the banking sector also faces challenges. Currently, the economy is healthy.
Here, I would just like to ask a question: if the SME lending portfolio had grown sharply until 2024, the situation changed in 2024-2025, although there is an explanation for this. For example, retail business is growing faster. As a result, the retail segment is growing, corporate loans are growing, and only then SMEs are lended.
