YEREVAN, February 17, /ARKA/. Armenian banks’ return on assets (ROA) index, showing a company’s efficiency in making profits from its assets, dropped to 2.42% in the fourth quarter of 2011, down from 2.46% in the third quarter, according to findings of an analysis made by ARKA news agency.

The leading bank by size of ROA indicator was Iranian Mellat Bank which posted a 5.19% ROA index that was down from 5.59% at the end of the third quarter. It was followed by HSBC Bank Armenia with a 4.14% index, up from 3.97%, Inecobank was next with a 3.80% index, up from 3.39%, Bank Prometey with 3.41% was fourth: the index was up from 3.37% and ACBA Credit Agricole Bank was fifth with 3.20%, down from 3.38%.

The analysis shows also that the banks’ return on equity (ROE) indicator rose to 12.18% from 12.12% in the third quarter. In terms of ROE indicator HSBC Bank Armenia was the leader with a 24.07% index, up from 22.87% in the third quarter. It was followed by Mellat Bank with a 22.53% index that dropped from 26.15%, Araratbank with a 19.67%, down from 20.91% index, Inecobank with a 19.04% index, up from 16.401% and Artsakh bank with 17.13%, down from 17.74%. Twenty-one commercial banks operate in Armenia now running 437 branches. ($1 – 389.13 drams). –0—