ArmInfo. Over the past five years, Ameriabank's loan portfolio has grown by an average of 30% annually, driven primarily by mortgage lending, which has reached 400 billion drams, as announced by Ameriabank's Director of Retail Banking, Arman Barseghyan, at a press conference on July 28, presenting the results of the first half of 2026.
Overall, the retail loan portfolio exceeded 800 billion drams. Compared to the beginning of the year, this growth was 11%, while mortgages, according to him, have grown by 12% since the beginning of the year. Responding to a question from an ArmInfo correspondent, he emphasized that despite the overall slowdown in lending growth in the Armenian banking system, including mortgage and SME lending, Ameriabank's figures completely defy this trend. Specifically, Barseghyan noted that no slowdown in growth has been observed in Ameriabank's corporate banking sector. "We have exceeded all planned indicators," the retail banking director emphasized.
In his view, this performance is closely tied to the country's overall economic development. "We are seeing impressive GDP growth rates, and under such conditions, lending opportunities only continue to expand. Alongside GDP growth, people's incomes and wages have increased. Consequently, I believe these lending growth rates will be sustained," he stated. Barseghyan also highlighted external interest in the Armenian market. He noted that, for understandable reasons, interest from Russia in Armenia's real estate market is on the rise, which affects demand levels and, consequently, mortgage dynamics. "There is also interest from the U.S. for various reasons. A significant portion of our overseas clients are interested in mortgages, and these transactions are actually taking place," the head of retail banking added.
He further drew attention to the fact that a large portion of Yerevan's housing stock is aging and worn out. As a result, demand for new construction will continue to grow as a natural transition of people moving into modern residential buildings takes place.
At the same time, Barseghyan noted a rise in investment interest in real estate, fueled by rental demand driven by immigration factors. "It is often said that the real estate market is overheated and experiencing unjustified growth. However, one should look not just at growth dynamics, but at the underlying factors. If those factors are economically justified, the growth is normal and natural," he emphasized.
According to the Financial Ranking of Armenian Banks as of March 31, 2026, prepared by the ArmInfo IC, Ameriabank leads the market with a total loan portfolio exceeding 1.9 trillion drams ($5.1 billion), reflecting a nearly threefold increase over five years and a 38.1% annual growth rate.
Ameriabank holds the top position in both corporate and retail lending. Specifically, the bank maintains leading positions in lending to key economic sectors such as construction, trade, agriculture, and industry. Ameriabank also ranks first in SME and mortgage lending, continuing to expand these portfolios at double- digit rates of 24.3% and 14.1%, respectively—whereas SME lending across the broader banking market has slowed down to stagnation, and mortgage lending has barely managed to maintain double-digit growth.
By the end of the first half of the year, Ameriabank's loan portfolio closely approached 2 trillion drams (over $5.3 billion), registering a 31% annual increase. This, in turn, drove a 30% rise in interest income, cementing Ameriabank's leadership position in total volume. As a result, the bank concluded the first half of the year with a net profit of 40 billion drams ($109 million), securing a 23% annual growth rate and a more than twofold increase over a five-year period.
Recall, Ameriabank is a leading financial technology institution and a key player in Armenia's economic sector. As part of its digital transformation strategy, the bank introduces and continuously improves unique products, services, and innovative platforms aimed at meeting the financial and non-financial needs of its clients. As a dynamically developing fintech company, Ameriabank offers comprehensive solutions that improve the quality of life.
