OREANDA-NEWS. February 15, 2010. As it was informed in the National Bank, the return on assets in 2009 has declined by 0,4% ,and the return on equity – by 2.1%. TIER I capital of the banks has decreased by 2.4% - up to 6 billion 453,1 million leis (USD 507 million).

According to the NBM requirements, TIER I of the banks must be not less than 100 million leis. In all banks of Moldova this figure exceeds the minimum level. The National Bank noted that the reduction in TIER I capital of Moldovan banks in 2009 was due to revocation of license from "Investprivatbank”, as well as the losses of some banks, mostly related to the replenishment of reserves to cover the credit risks.

In the context of crisis, some shareholders have provided financial support to the banks through the additional share issues amounting to 290.3 million leis (US 22.8 million). The share of foreign investment in the banks' capital amounted to 77,6%, having increased by 3.5% due to increase in the banks’ equity at the expense of investments of the shareholders-non-residents. As of late 2009, average risk weighted ratio amounted to 32,3%.

Total assets of the banking system of Moldova in 2009 increased by 2,2% - up to 39 billion 915 million leis (USD 3.1 billion). The growth was mainly due to the increase in liabilities by 3,4%. The net securities increased by 145.8% - up to 6 billion 052.5 million leis (USD 475.5 million), funds due from the banks and net funds overnight – by 99,9% - up to 5 billion 465,1 million leis (USD 429,3 million), cash - by 16,4% - up to 2 billion 179.3 million leis (USD 171.2 million).

At the same time, the funds due from the National Bank have reduced by 66,8% - up to 1 billion 943.9 million leis(USD 152.7 million), and net loans and financial leasing requirements- by 13,9% - up to 20 billion 264.2 million leis (USD 1.6 billion). The share of bad loans in the total loans has increased by 10.4%, reaching by the end of the year 16,3%. At the same time, as compared to November 2009, in December this index has decreased by 0.3%. The necessity to cover potential losses on the above-mentioned loans increased the share of discounts for loan losses in the total loan portfolio by 4.7%- up 9.7%.

The largest share in the total loan portfolio included loans to industry and trade - 51,6%, followed by the loans for agriculture and food industry - 15,9%, loans to real estate, construction and development - 12.5%, consumer loans - 8,7%. Taking into account the reduction of wages, the banks revised the policies to minimize the risks of granting consumer credits. Thus, since the beginning of 2009, the balance of consumer loans up to 700 thousand leis has decreased by 35,3% - up to 1 billion 656.9 million leis (US 130,1 million).

The balance of loans granted to small and medium enterprises decreased by 16,8% - up to 7 billion 540,9 million leis (USD 592,4 million). In 2009, deposits decreased by 2,9% - up to 26 billion 416,5 million leis (USD 2.1 billion). Individuals’ deposits declined by 3.7% - up to 16 billion 465,8 million leis (USD 1.3 billion), and legal entities’ deposits- by 4.9% - up to 8 billion 011.8 million leis (USD 630 million).