OREANDA-NEWS. On January 21, 2009 Eurasian Bank (Almaty), bond of which are present in Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) official list, provided to KASE the press release on the following, reported the press-centre of KASE:

Quotation start

During 2008, Eurasian Bank demionstrated the growth of its key indicators*.

According to the bank unaudited financial statements data as of January 1, 2009, the aggreghate assets of Eurasian Bank made up KZT271.4 bn. Thus, the growth beginning the year made up KZT87.6 bn. or 47.6%. Given this the volume of liquid assets as of January 1, 2009 made up KZT75.4 bn. or 27.8% of assets.

The own capital increased adequately to the business and as of January 1, 2009 made up KZT25 bn., having increased by KZT5 bn. or 25.2%, including KZT4 bn. of the growth were preconditioned by the authorized capital increase, which in the reporting period increased from KZT8 bn. to KZT12 bn.

"The last year was successful for Eurasian Bank. After replacement of the management team in the middkle of the year we during the short period implemented the restyling, significantly updated the products line, made step to strengthen the financial institution position on the market. The high pace of growth of assets, capital, loan portfolio, depository base and other indicators proves the bank new development strategy perceptiveness", - emphasized Chairman of Board of Eurasian Bank Zhomart Ertaev.

The bank loan portfolio increased in 2008 by 9.5% - to KZT127.4 bn. Eurasian Bank was able to retain the quality of its loan portfolio at the acceptable level. During January-November 2008 the stake of standard loans increased by 6.2% (to 77.5%), the stake of doubtful decreased by 7% (to 20.2%), the stake of bad slightly increased - by 0.8% (to 2.3%). The bank adequately evaluates possible risks of non payments on previously issued loans and forms provisions within the expected losses.

The positive changes occurred in the depository portfolio of the bank. As of January 1, 2009, obligations to clients made up KZT134.1 bn., which by 50.7% more than at the year beginning, including the increase of current obligations to clients by 127.4%, and deposits with fixed period - by 24.3%. At this fixed deposits of physical persons for 2008 increased by 89.2%.

In the last year Eurasian Bank paid the last coupon on external debts, as a result the stake of external funding in the bank obligations made up only 5.5%, or about KZT13.6 bn.

The bank is actively developing its card business. In 2008 the international payment system VISA awarded Eurasian Bank the status of the Principal Member. The number of active cards for a year increased by 86%, the number of cash dispensers - by 131%, POS-terminals - by 68%, at this the number of trsnactions increased by 167% on issues and by 270% - on acquiring.

Besides the current activities on issue of payment cards and conclusion of agreements with organizations for provision of services within the "salary Package", Eurasian Bank Implemented 2 unique projects in the card business area. In particular, in December 2008 Eurasian Bank first in the world issued VISA card with the real diamond and gold coating. The card is issued based of the premium card VISA Infinite and provides VIP-clients with additional advantages: two travel insurance policies, airports VIP-halls cards, personal VIP-manager on servicing the card, Internet site for VISA Infinite Eurasian Diamond Card users. In addition, the bank first in Kazakhstan started issuing payment cards for children from 6 to 18 years of age.

During 2008, the bank opened 11 new divisions and one affiliate in Semei City. As a result as of January 1, 2009, Eurasian Bank affiliates network consists of 18 affiliates and 47 divisions.