In concrete terms: •  the management structure of the Bank of Albania was completed;  •  the Audit Committee, composed of three Supervisory Council members, started its activity;  •  the Inspector General resumed reporting to the Supervisory Council;  •  the Medium-term Development Strategy and Medium-term Budget for 2016–18 were approved;  •  the new organisational structure was approved;  •  the head offices renovation and construction works were completed;  •  and the Museum of the Bank of Albania was launched. These highlights contributed to strengthening good governance, accountability and subsequently enhancing public confidence in the Bank of Albania. The monetary policy intensified the simulating stance during 2015. The Bank of Albania lowered the key rate twice, continued to inject the necessary liquidity in the financial markets and clearly communicated the future monetary policy stance. Our monetary policy was successful in easing the financing conditions in the economy and helped in the return of the Albanian economy to a positive development track. In particular, interest rates on new lek loans and servicing costs of existing credits fell. Lek credit increased, offsetting the continuous fall of the credit portfolio in foreign currency. Also, the share of lek credit in the total credit portfolio has been increasing, from around 28% in 2008 to 43% in 2015. These actions have played a vital role in accelerating the economic growth during the last two years. During 2015, the banking system continued to expand its activity.

Financial soundness improved, while capitalisation and liquidity stand at optimal parameters, at 16% and 4%, respectively. According to the latest data, as at November 2015, the performance of deposits was positive, increasing over EUR 130 million, thus confirming the public trust in the banking system. BIS central bankers’ speeches  1  After long-standing efforts, having increased for seven years, we provided for the reduction of non-performing loans below 20%. The lowering of the non-performing loans ratio, as financing costs in the financial market stand at minimum historical levels, allows for a reliable recovery of credit to economy in the period ahead. We believe that, as a result of the joint action plan with the Government, the non-performing loans ratio will continue to fall in the year ahead. Also, in 2015, a new investor, the American Bank of Investments, entered the banking market, being the first one after 2009. We consider the new investment as a very positive development for the promotion of competition within the system. The Bank of Albania will continue to promote banking system consolidation and adhere to rigorous requirements for a responsible and proactive management of each bank. In 2015, the most delicate developments coincided with the complex political and financial situation in Greece. The banking sector in general and individual banks in particular weathered with success all the difficulties. The Bank of Albania, in addition to the constant monitoring of developments in Albanian banks with Greek capital, intensified the communication with the respective authorities in Greece and in the euro area.