A Covid–19-járvány hatásainak vizsgálata a nemteljesítő hitelek trendjére

In the interest of financial stability, the European Union's institutional system pays special attention to the prevention and management of non-performing loans (NPL). As a result of a conscious and systematically implemented strategy covering all stakeholders, the ratio of non-performing loans has now decreased spectacularly in the European Union, and in Hungary it has fallen to a historic low. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of Covid–19 on NPL in the EU, with particular regard to the domestic agricultural sector. According to the authors' hypothesis, the trend of the NPL rate was not significantly affected by the Covid–19 epidemic either in the EU in general or in the domestic agricultural sector. The research verifies the validity of the hypothesis by using longitudinal (trend analysis) and cross-sectional research methods. The results also show that Covid-19 affected each sector differently, but the agricultural sector – after the temporary disruptions – responded flexibly and with good results both in the EU and in Hungary, which, in addition to central interventions, played a role in keeping the sector’s NPI level low. The central measures introduced both at the EU level and in Hungary contributed to maintaining financial stability. The successful adaptation of the domestic agricultural sector to the situation caused by Covid-19 is also demonstrated by its leading position in returning to market conditions from the payment moratorium introduced during Covid-19, which coincides with the recommendations of EU and domestic banking supervision. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that external bank financing ensuring the development of domestic agriculture will continue to develop. However, the human health epidemic is not over yet, therefore it is still justified to monitor and analyze the effects of Covid-19.