OREANDA-NEWS. February 28, 2008. Over the year of 2007 the banking system of the Republic of Moldova recorded positive development trends, reported the press-centre of National Bank of Moldova.

Tier I Capital increased by 37,8 per cent up to the level of 5235,9 million lei. The evolution of this important financial indicator continues to reveal the sound capacity of the banking system to cover eventual losses and plays a decisive role in ensuring the protection of depositors’ interests.

The share of foreign investments within the banks’ capital amounted as of 31.12.2007 to 71,9 per cent or by 9,2 percentage points higher versus the beginning of the year. The average value of the risk-weighted capital adequacy is still positioned on a high level, and registered, as on the same date, 29,6 per cent (minimum accepted level is 12,0 per cent). This fact denotes a high security degree of banks’ activity on the background of a firm potential to conduct placements without prejudice to their stability.

Total assets went up in 2007 to 31978,7 million lei or by 40,6 per cent, reflecting an extensive banking activity. The trend registered so far indicates assets growth, mainly supported by new deposits inflow and by incomes gaining. All assets’ items recorded increases. Thus, the (net) credit portfolio advanced by 51,6 per cent up to the level of 19880 million lei, means owed by banks and NBM – by 30,1 per cent up to 6074,7 million lei, cash means – by 45,9 per cent up to 1683,5 million lei, securities – by 0,1 per cent up to 2266,8 million lei, etc.

Within the context of banking risks’ reduction, the weight of unfavourable (substandard, doubtful and compromised) credits decreased by 0,7 percentage point as compared to the beginning of the year down to 3,7 per cent recorded as of 31.12.2007. The weight of loan loss provisions in total credits lessened by 1 percentage point down to 4,2 per cent. Risk management procedures are continuously reflected within the diversification of the fields of credits extension.

Thus, credits extended to industry and trade held as of 31.12.2007 the highest weight in total credit portfolio – 48,6 per cent, being followed by consumer credits – 14,1 per cent, credits to agriculture and food industry – 13,8 per cent and credits for real estate, construction and development – 12,8 per cent.

As of 31.12.2007 the balance of consumer credits extended in an amount of up to 700 thou lei increased by 96,1 per cent up to the level of 2281,3 million lei, which implies the weight of 11,0 per cent of total credit portfolio. The balance of credits extended to small and medium-sized enterprises equalled to 7602,9 million lei or 36,6 per cent of total credits.

Within the context of banking risks’ reduction, the weight of unfavourable (substandard, doubtful and compromised) credits decreased by 0,7 percentage point as compared to the beginning of the year down to 3,7 per cent recorded as of 31.12.2007. The weight of loan loss provisions in total credits lessened by 1 percentage point down to 4,2 per cent. Risk management procedures are continuously reflected within the diversification of the fields of credits extension.

Thus, credits extended to industry and trade held as of 31.12.2007 the highest weight in total credit portfolio – 48,6 per cent, being followed by consumer credits – 14,1 per cent, credits to agriculture and food industry – 13,8 per cent and credits for real estate, construction and development – 12,8 per cent.

As of 31.12.2007 the balance of consumer credits extended in an amount of up to 700 thou lei increased by 96.1 per cent up to the level of 2281.3 million lei, which implies the weight of 11.0 per cent of total credit portfolio. The balance of credits extended to small and medium-sized enterprises equalled to 7602.9 million lei or 36.6 per cent of total credits.

In 2007 the net income of the banking system totalled 1094,8 million lei or by 59,9 per cent higher as compared to the previous year. Return on assets and return on equity recorded as of 31.12.2007 the value of 3,9 per cent and 24,2 per cent, accordingly, increasing versus the beginning of the year by 0,5 percentage point and 3,7 percentage points, respectively.

Long-term liquidity of the banking system (assets with the term of over two years / financial resources with potential withdrawal term of over two years ЎЬ 1) displayed the ratio of 0,7. The level of this indicator reveals the availability of resources that can be invested for a term of over two years. It should be noted that the resources available for credits extension for a term of far over two years, which are determined by the total regulatory capital surpassing banks’ investments for a term of 10-15 years at least (fixed assets and participation quotas), totaled 3409,9 million lei as of 31.12.2007.

Current liquidity within the system (liquid assets, expressed in cash, deposits with NBM, state securities, net interbank credits with the term of up to 1 month / total assets Ч 100% ЎЭ 20,0 per cent) accounted for 29,0 per cent. The observance by banks of the liquidity indicators reveals the presence of adequate financing resources for covering both long-term needs, as shown above, and short-term needs.

Banks’ liabilities as of 31.12.2007 equalled to 26454,4 million lei or by 40,6 per cent more as compared to the beginning of the year. Within the liabilities’ structure all items recorded increases. Deposits of individuals enlarged by 52,6 per cent up to 14105,4 million lei, while those of businesses by 4,8 per cent up to 7237,6 million lei.

At present, the banking system of the Republic of Moldova includes 16 banks, three of which are subsidiaries of foreign banks. As at the year-end the staff of the banking system amounted to 9851 employees.