Ameriabank recognized leading bonds issuer bank in Armenia by Cbonds financial information agency

ArmInfo. Ameriabank has been recognized the leading bank issuer of bonds in Armenia by Cbonds financial information agency. Cbonds has published Arrangers' league table for domestic bonds of Caucasus states, 2016 (http://cbonds.com/rankings/item/401).

The press service of Ameriabank has told ArmInfo that 3 issues have been placed with total amount of $22 mln, which makes 7.12% in South Caucasus region. "One should accentuate not on volume but on the quantitative aspect, according to which the number of issuers and issues in Armenia in 2016 has exceeded the relevant numbers in the neighboring countries, which in turn testifies to healthy competition, due level of development and diversification of Armenian market of bonds", Ameriabank's press release reads.

To recall, Cbonds is an independent financial News agency and data vendor operating in Russia, CIS and other developing countries.

To note, in the middle of 2016 the bank issued coupon USD bonds amounting to $15 mln (the main Abond list at NASDAQ OMX Armenia). At the same time in June 2016 Ameriabank successfully placed debt securities amounting to $20 mln via its investment manager in the name of ResponsAbility Investments AG in four Luxemburg investment funds, planning to direct the attracted funds for lending to SMEs and financing of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

To note, Ameriabank is a universal bank providing investment, corporate and retail banking services. The bank has operated in the Armenian market since October 31 1996.  The network of the bank comprises 12 branches, 8 of which in Yerevan and 4 in the regions.  The shareholders are Ameria Group CY Ltd (79.3%) and EBRD (20.7%).

According to Express Ranking of Armenian Banks prepared by ArmInfo, in 2016 the total capital of the bank increased by 8.6% to 64.4 bln drams or $133.1 mln due to growth of accumulated profit by 23.4% to 24.3 bln drams or $50.1 mln and sharp change of revaluation reserve from negative to positive level. At the yearend 2016 the Bank had net profit amounting to 6.2 bln drams or $12.8 mln ensuring 29.2% growth.  In the structure of balance profit (prior to paying taxes) the share of profit from foreign currency transactions declined to 32.5% or 2.5 bln drams in the reported year versus 71.3% a year ago. Total regulatory capital of the bank reached 81.9 bln drams by Jan 1 2017, which exceeds the normative minimum capital requirement (30 bln drams) almost 3- fold.  The bank ensured capital adequacy ratio at the level of 15.87% (amid required min of 12%), overall liquidity -31.23% (required min-15%), day-to-day liquidity- 133.17% (amid required min 60%) versus 15.07%, 29.91% and 151.26% respectively in 2015.  The bank is among leaders by lending to industrial sector (including energy), agriculture, construction field, trade sector, transport and communications, public catering and services, mortgage lending. The Bank retains leadership also by time deposits and call liabilities.