YEREVAN, February 11. /ARKA/. HSBC Bank Armenia was the largest creditor of the trade sector in the fourth quarter of 2010.

According to the bank’s quarterly report, AMD 25.7 billion was lent to the sector against AMD 24.2 billion in late September (6.3% growth). This amount constitutes 29.9% of the bank’s loan portfolio. The bank’s share in the total crediting of the trade sector is 13.5%.

Armenian banks’ quarterly reports show that their aggregate loans extended to economic sectors amounted to AMD 918.4 by late December 2010 against AMD 849.2 billion in late September.

ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank, with its AMD 19.5 billion, VTB Bank (Armneia), with AMD 18 billion, Ameriabank (AMD 17.9 billion) and Unibank (AMD 14.9 billion) were among the biggest trade creditors in the fourth quarter.

They accounted for 19.6%, 22.3%, 19.8% and 19.4% of their aggregate loan portfolio.

Armenian banks built up their lending to the trade sector by 6.3% over the 4^th Q 2010 to AMD 179.5 billion.

Some 21 commercial banks with 407 branches operated in Armenia in late December 2010. ($1 = AMD 363.75). -0-