YEREVAN, August 23. /ARKA/. Armenia’s banks invested nearly 143.3 billion drams in the government bonds as of 30 June, 4.8% higher from the beginning of this year, according to the banks’ financial interim report

According to ARKA agency’s analysis, the total share of the investments in the government securities was 6.5% against 6.6% from earlier this year.

As of June 30, the total securities portfolio fetched up nearly 147.8 billion drams, of them 97.00% were state securities.

HSBC Bank Armenia invested 26.8 billion in securities holding the leading positions in this category. Of them over 26.1 billion drams or 97.37% - in government bonds. At the same time 2,63% of the bank’s securities portfolio or 707.1 million drams are non-government bonds. In the second quarter of 2012 the bank’s interest rate return on investments in debt securities was 1 424 million drams or 17.6% of the total interest rate return.

HSBC Bank Armenia is followed by Armbusinessbank ( 18.3 billion drams). It invested 99.56% in government bonds, and 0.44% in non-government bonds. The interest rate return on the investments in debt securities was nearly 460.5 million drams or 5.6% of the total interest rate return.

Another top bank in this category is Armswissbank – 15.9 billion drams ( 97.03% - government bonds, and 2.97%- non-government ).

As of 30 June 2012 there are 21 banks with 450 branches in Armenia. ($1 – 410.52 drams).—0--