Development Bank of Belarus earns Br1.5 trillion in 2012

MINSK, 29 January (BelTA) – The Development Bank of Belarus earned Br1.5 trillion in 2012, the maximum profit in the banking system, Chairman of the Board of the Bank Sergei Rumas told BelTA.

Return on banking assets reached 5.7% in 2012, the highest figure in the banking system. The bank’s net income per employee takes the top place among the socially important organizations of the country.

The bank seeks wider diversification of its credit portfolio. “The bank’s credit portfolio is within safe limits,” the head of the bank said. In 2012 the troubled debts of the bank did not exceed 1%, but came to 5.5% by the end of the year. “The showing is higher than that in three other state-run banks, what is logic due to the acquisition of assets with a different risk level,” Sergei Rumas explained.

Last year’s performance let the bank take solid positions in the banking sector of the country. The bank is among top three Belarusian banks in assets, among top five in the corporate credit portfolio and comes third in capital.

As of 1 January 2013 the bank’s assets exceeded Br26 trillion. Sergei Rumas expressed confidence that they would continue growing. There are resources for it, including securities. “Our securities are very attractive for investors. Decisions will be taken to include our bonds into the Lombard list and recognize them as highly liquid,” Sergei Rumas noted. He believes it will make the securities of the bank the most attractive on the domestic market.

The bank plans to develop its own resource base, earnings, profits as a source for active banking transactions. “This year we plan to reach the ceiling of Br2 trillion. These are also resources to finance investment projects. The Finance Ministry is going to deposit some funds in our bank,” Sergei Rumas said.

Sergei Rumas presented the bank’s advertising slogan: “New Opportunities”. The concept is built upon the key values of the bank – development, growth, confidence, and novelty.