On 30 May 2018, the source wrote (citation) (translated):

The indicator "non-performing assets" was introduced by the Resolution of the Board of the National Bank dated December 15, 2017 [and] entered into force on April 1, 2018.

This decision was made due to the need to bring together indicators used in the domestic practice, which characterize the share of non-performing assets, with international approaches. The introduction of this indicator will allow to unify the indicator "problem assets" used in the Republic of Belarus with the NPL (Non-Performing Loans) indicator used by international organizations, including in cooperation with the National Bank and other state bodies of the country.

The value of the indicator "non-performing assets" was calculated taking into account the level of risks for the assets, which was formed on the effective date of the resolution of the Board of the National Bank No. 505. In the future, the value of this indicator may vary depending on the prevailing economic conditions.

The "problem assets" indicator used earlier in Belarus is much more conservative and wider than "non-performing assets" and includes debts not only on the basis of overdue debts, but also taking into account other characteristics of the debtor itself and the provision of debts.

In direct communication, the source explained that the "non-performing loans ratio" also changed, but since the change is only minor, the series is reported without a break.

In response, we have:

1. Archived the predecessor (December 2002 to March 2018) by renaming with an "_18" specifier, by marking metadata as discontinued, and by segregating in the catalog.
2. Created its successor, from April 2018.
3. Clarified metadata on the related series.
4. Refurbished the catalog.

Dataset properties:

• Measurement: Millions of Belarusian rubles (the third ruble) (Mil. BYN)
• Adjustments: Not seasonally adjusted (NSA)
• Native frequency: Monthly
• Start date: April 2018

The series reside in the historical catalog (Belarus » Banking » Impaired loans) and are:

• MBLANPS_18UM.IBLR = [DISCONTINUED] Problem assets, (Mil. BYN, NSA)
• MBLANPSUM.IBLR    = Non-performing assets, (Mil. BYN, NSA)
• MBLALNSUM.IBLR    = Total loans, (Bil. BYR/Mil. BYN, NSA)
• MB%ANPUM.IBLR     = Non-performing loans to total loans, (%, NSA)

Because catalog locations are subject to change, the upper-right search box on DataBuffet.com provides a "find in catalog" mode that accepts a mnemonic

Please be aware that

The "total loans" series has a currency break at January 2015, from billions of second rubles to millions of third rubles. This is depicted in the unit-descriptor metadata and a notation in the "source" field.

The reported non-performing loans ratio is not the ratio between the two levels.