YEREVAN, August 15. /ARKA/. Armenia’s banks invested nearly 182.6 billion drams in the government bonds as of the end of the second quarter of 2013, 2.5% higher from the beginning of the year, according to the banks’ financial interim report

According to an analysis by ARKA agency, share of the investments in government securities was 7.6% of total assets as compared to 7.8% in the beginning of the year.

As of June 30 2013, the total securities portfolio fetched up nearly 188.9 billion drams, of them 96.64% were government securities.

HSBC Bank Armenia invested 32.6 billion in securities holding the leading positions in this category. Of it, over 31.9 billion drams or 98.11% was in government bonds. At the same time 1.89% of the bank’s securities portfolio or 616.7 million drams are non-government bonds. In the second quarter of 2013 the bank’s interest rate return on investments in debt securities was 1.8 billion drams or 19.9% of the total interest rate return.

HSBC Bank Armenia is followed by Ardshininvestbank (22.3 billion drams). It invested 98.21% in government bonds, and 1.79% in non-government bonds. The interest rate return on the investments in debt securities was nearly 1.1 billion drams or 8.8% of the total interest rate return.

Another top bank in this category is Armbusinessbank with 21 billion drams (99.74% – government bonds, and 0.26%- non-government bonds).

As of 30 June 2013 there were 21 banks with 478 branches in Armenia. ($1 – 406.94 drams).–0—