OREANDA-NEWS. On 26 May 2008 was announced, that in the first quarter of the year Hansabanka continued quality development by strengthening its leadership as the largest and the most stable financial institution in Latvia. The bank focused on further improvement of its customer service and in the first quarter the customer base of Hansabanka accounted for 901 406 customers: 846 567 individuals and 54 839 legal entities. The branch network was also extended by enlarging and renovating four branch offices.

"High-quality customer service and individual approach is one of the whales underlying the long-term growth of Hansabanka. Another two whales are innovation and enhancement of efficiency both in operations of Hansabanka and in the economy of the country and in the way of thinking at large,” says Mr. Maris Avotins, Chairman of the Management Board of Hansabanka. He also emphasizes: "During stabilisation period of the economy it is important to see the opportunities and the work assignments to be done which will enable Latvia to be successful in the long-term. We have discussed the problems enough and now it is important for us to think further, to think of solutions”.

In 1Q 2008, assets of Group of Hansabanka, increased by LVL53m in comparison with early 2008 and topped LVL 5 114m.

In 1Q 2008, loan portfolio of Group of Hansabanka augmented by LVL 134m and thus reached LVL 4 306m. Housing loan market, which saw a slowdown in growth rates, increased by 2 %, or LVL 25m. It implies that the customers still think how to improve the quality of their life and this is the right time to choose the best housing on the basis of well-considered decisions.

In the area of corporate banking Group of Hansabanka enjoyed a growth of 3 % or LVL 61m and total corporate lending portfolio reached LVL 1 829m. This year a priority of Hansabanka is to focus on lending to exporting companies.

In the first three months of the year the number of customers of the 2nd pillar pensions of Hansa Pensions increased by 3900 and in late March 2008 the number of participants of Hansa Pensions exceeded 395 000. Customers have appreciated stability and long-term perspective offered by Hansabanka while taking care of their pension savings.

As customers actively used electronic payments in the first quarter of the year Hansabanka cemented its leadership in this area of operations. Currently, the share of electronic payments is 96 % and the number of users of online banking of Hansabanka has increased by 23 800 since the beginning of they year and it has reached 672 400; the number of users of Mobile Bank reached 597 900 (an increase by 23 600).

Development of the branch network of Hansabanka continued and in the first three months of the year four branch offices were renovated and enlarged (new premises for branch offices in Aizkraukle and Riga and renovated branch offices in Ogre and Ventspils).

Thanks to the increase in the number of customers and their activity, strong business results were demonstrated also by Hansa Lizings. In the first three months of the year leasing and factoring portfolio grew by LVL 20m and in late March 2008 accounted for LVL 734m.

Hansabanka continues to be a leader in the market of payment cards; as of 31 March 2008, total number of issued payment cards reached 909 300. Cardholders have highly appreciated benefits offered by operational convenience and advantages enjoyed by customers of Hansabanka, for example, Value-Added Purchase Programme.

In the first three months of 2008, Group of Hansabanka posted LVL 26.4m in profits after taxes (profit of Hansabanka was LVL 31.9m accordingly).

Group of Hansabanka: AS Hansabanka, SIA Hansa Lоzings, AS IPS Hansa Fondi, AS Hansa atklвtais pensiju fonds, SIA Hansabankas Centrвlв Зka, SIA Baltijas Autolоzings, SIA Hansa Apdroрinврanas Brokeris.