Budapest, 11 September 2025– “Certified Corporate Loans allow small and medium-sized enterprises to obtain favourable loans for their investments quickly and easily,” said MNB Governor Mihály Varga at the signing of the first Certified Corporate Loan contract, emphasising that the Magyar Nemzeti Bank’s goal in launching this scheme was to strengthen corporate lending and foster quality change in the credit market.
Governor Varga pointed out that despite the difficult global economic environment, Hungary had succeeded in maintaining its financial stability, as was clearly evidenced by the forint exchange rate stabilising in recent months, amongst other things. Additionally, even by historical standards the lending capacity of the banking sector was outstanding, and its current stability provided an appropriate basis for expanding lending. He highlighted that from an economic perspective corporate lending was one of the most important areas of banking services. As he had previously noted, strengthening the market for investment loans was one of the keys to sustainable growth. Therefore, in order to bolster domestic corporate lending, it was vital for the central bank to take steps within the framework of its own mandate, without endangering the return to price stability. The investment loan facility, launched via an agreement between the MNB and the Hungarian Banking Association, brings about a quality improvement in the lending market and provides an opportunity for secure growth for small and medium-sized enterprises which have investment plans. Governor Varga explained that the first investment loan contract under the Certified Corporate Loan scheme was signed between Erste Bank and Ostorosbor Ltd. Using the loan, the winery will make investments to expand its capacity and improve the sustainability of its operations.
Since 1 September 2025, applications for Certified Corporate Loans can submitted at branch offices of OTP Bank, Erste Bank and MBH Bank; additional banks may join in the future.
Magyar Nemzeti Bank