ArmInfo. Ameriabank has  prepared a special offer for the healthcare sector representatives in  both private and public sectors, launching a credit line for doctors  on preferential terms, Andranik Khachatryan, head of the Yerevan branch  network at Ameriabank CJSC, said at the meeting of the National  Council of Young Doctors on November 19.  

ArmInfo. "ArmInfo" Information Company has issued today 50th jubilee issue of  "Ranking of Credit Companies of Armenia" financial analytical bulletin. 

ArmInfo. In the nearest future ARARATBANK will hold additional closed issue of stocks, as a result of which the amount of total capital will increase by 8.5 bln drams from the current 22.7 bln drams. Thus, the bank will meet the minimal capital requirement, which according to the CBA's decision must not be less than 30 bln drams starting from 2017. The decision on additional issue of stocks was made on June 17 during the general meeting of the bank's shareholders on results of 2015. It was decided not to distribute the net profit ensured for 2015 amounted to 941.7 mln drams and to use it for the capital replenishment purposes.

ArmInfo. Regulatory changes by the Central Bank of Armenia are also aimed at reducing the dollarization level in Armenia's banks, which totals nearly 70%, Head of Financial System Stability and Development Department of CBA Andranik Grigoryan stated on May 27, while presenting today report on Armenia's financial stability at year end -2015.

ArmInfo. Armenian banking system activates economy lending, Head of Financial System Stability and Development Department of CBA Andranik Grigoryan stated while presenting today report on Armenia's financial stability at year end -2015.

ArmInfo. The Armenian banks considerably slackened lending in both corporate and retail segments. According to the Financial Rating of the Armenian Banks by the Agency of Rating Marketing Information (ArmInfo), in Q1 2016 lending to economy grew by 8.8% (versus the previous 15.4% rise) to 1.5 trillion AMD ($3.2 bln), and retail lending rose by 3.5% (versus previous 15.7% growth) to 745.7 bln AMD ($1.6 bln). In 2012, both segments experienced 31-37% growth. Afterwards they slackened growth to 8-19% in 2014, partly restoring the growth rates in corporate lending in Q1 2015, but slackening growth in retail lending. The share of the foreign exchange component in the aggregate loan book of the banking system increased from 62% to 67%, while the share of AMD component dropped from 38% to 33% (by April 2016).

ArmInfo.

ArmInfo.Head of Akcern Real Estate Concern Hakob Baghdasaryan says the year 2017 will be transitional for the real estate market of Armenia. Talking to ArmInfo on May 19, Baghdasaryan said the market will see a real growth no sooner than in 2018.  He drew a parallel with the development of economy, which, as he says, is at a transitional stage too. 

ArmInfo.

ArmInfo.The banks' assessment of the mortgage lending risks is quite adequate in the context of softening of the housing acquisition contract terms, Hayk Voskanyan, Director of the National Mortgage Company (NMC) UCO, said at a press conference on May 19. He noted that the extension of the redemption period may result in accumulation of surplus payments of interest rates.

ArmInfo. On March 31Central Bank of Armenia and German KfW Bank signed 20 mln EUR loan agreement on 

ArmInfo.

ArmInfo. Central Bank of Armenia has improved the terms of mortgage lending under "Affordable Housing for Young Families" state program, which will result in involvement in the program of more number of young families, who need to improve their housing conditions. As the press-service of the Central Bank informed ArmInfo, the Armenian government approved today the relevant amendments and additions to the terms of "Affordable Housing for Young Families" state program.

ArmInfo.

ArmInfo.

ArmInfo.

ArmInfo.

ArmInfo. Situation with loan defaults or, as professionals say, with their classification in the banking system of Armenia is not so favorable. The portfolio of non-performing loans (NPL) has increased by 52% over the year accounting for almost 10% of the total volume of bank loans. Most banks providing retail loans are aware that the general economic situation in the country is worsening, the real incomes of the population are falling making the population less solvent, and the foreign transfers - key factor of our economy – are shrinking. Eventually, they have fundamentally changed their credit policy, seriously curtailed their  “risks appetites” and increased risk-management activities. ArmInfo’s correspondent had an opportunity to look into the risk-management activities of VTB Bank (Armenia), one of the biggest banks in the country. In an interview with ArmInfo, Aliona Stratan, Deputy CEO- member of the Management Board of VTB Bank (Armenia) speaks about the situation in the loan market, the crisis-induced behavior of customers, and how the Bank organizes its business process not to lose customers and minimize the risks at the same time.