T-S Legal’s attorneys and experts specializing in debt management participated in the traditional seventh regional SEE NPL Forum, held on November 17 at the Mona Plaza Hotel in Belgrade, Serbia.
The seventh SEE NPL Forum focused on analyzing the impact of macroeconomic factors on financial market developments, regulatory changes in the Southeast European region, liquidity in European markets, the implications of ESG standards on financing activities, and events in the NPL market. Special attention was given to the standardization of business practices for companies dealing with distressed assets. Through analyses, discussions, and the exchange of opinions, participants also had the opportunity to assess the influence of economic dynamics on real estate markets and financing activities.
The Forum brought together regulators, international finance experts, including representatives from banks, auditors, lawyers, consultants, representatives of NPL management companies, investment funds, and international financial institutions, across Southeast Europe.
For the T-S Legal team, the discussions of the first and third panels were particularly interesting, as they addressed the implications of high inflation and continuously high interest rates on European economies and the potential emergence of a new wave of NPLs from various market perspectives—regulators, investors, and servicers. Speakers in the first panel cautioned about possible increases in non-performing loans (NPLs) in Western Europe and the Balkans, emphasizing the need for caution. The third panel participants expressed the opinion that the upcoming crisis would be shallow and prolonged, potentially leading to an increase in problematic claims, though not to the extent seen at the beginning of the 2008 economic crisis. They attributed this belief to banks being more prepared today to respond to early warning signals and strengthening their collaboration with servicers. As to the asset structure a significant NPL growth in the corporate sector is not anticipated, while a slight increase is already evident in the credit retail sector.
For a decade, the T-S Legal team has provided comprehensive legal support in the field of debt collection to participants in the financial market in Serbia, as well as to telecommunications companies and other entities dealing with a large number of problematic receivables in their business portfolios. The forum served as an ideal platform for us to meet key players in the regional NPL market and learn about the latest trends in this field.
