Some 127,000 retail loan contracts, mostly for mortgages and personal loans, with a total value of HUF 465 billion were included in the scheme, representing 5% of the household loan portfolio.

Nearly 2,000 corporate clients with 3,000 contracts worth HUF 180 bln, 2% of the total corporate loan portfolio, were also using the moratorium.

The participation rate for retail and corporate clients was basically unchanged from November.

The MNB noted that on average a participating retail debtor's mortgage loan has a 14-year maturity, a HUF 8.5m outstanding debt, and a 5% interest rate on their loan. Continuing to stay in the scheme until the year's end would cost them HUF 283,000 extra in interest payments.

The central bank urged those who are financially able to leave the moratorium scheme and start making payments. MNB noted that for this the clients need not do anything, as they will only stay in the moratorium if they submit an application for an extension by July 31.