YEREVAN, March 5. /ARKA/. Lending to residents of Armenia rose by 0.6% to 1 525,7 billion drams in January 2013 from December, the Central Bank published today on its website.

AMD resident loans climbed by 0.1% to over 538.8 billion drams in January from December, whereas foreign currency loans ascended by 0.9% to over 986.9 billion drams.

Lending to industry (24.9%) accounted for the biggest part of aggregate lending by the commercial banks. In the reported month the banks allocated nearly 381.2 billion drams to this sphere (2% growth from December).

Commerce lending ended up with 20.8% share in total lending within the reported period. It is said to fall by 0.8% to nearly 318.1 billion drams.

Consumer loans accounted for 19.6% which was 1.6% higher from December. Consumer loans totaled in nearly 300.6 billion drams in the reported month.

As of 31 January 2013 there are 21 commercial banks in Armenia. ($1 – 410.67 drams). —0-