Bulgaria's banks made 1.4 billion euros in profit by the end of August, up 11.3% from a year earlier, the Bulgarian National Bank says.
The banking system's assets stand at 121 billion euros, up 568 million euros, or 0.5%, on the month.
The gross loan portfolio rose by 733 million euros, or 1%, to 72 billion euros. Loans to households grew the most, up 548 million euros, or 1.6%. Of that, 346 million euros were home loans.
Non-financial companies borrowed 147 million euros more, up 0.5%, while other financial firms took 53 million euros more, up 1%. Loans to government fell by 14 million euros, down 1.1%.
Total gross loans and advances shrank by 836 million euros, or 1%, to 80.6 billion euros. Claims on credit institutions dropped by 1.6 billion euros, or 15.5%, to 8.5 billion euros.
Deposits stand at 100.8 billion euros, up 191 million euros, or 0.2%, on the month. Companies held 1.2 billion euros more, up 4.2%, and households 397 million euros more, up 0.7%. Credit institutions moved the other way, down 1.2 billion euros, or 13.6%, along with government, down 70 million euros, or 2.9%, and other financial firms, down 60 million euros, or 2.6%.
Impairment charges on financial assets not measured at fair value through profit or loss came to 331 million euros by the end of August, 118 million euros more than a year earlier, a rise of 55.3%.
The liquidity coverage ratio stood at 257.7% at the end of August, up from 239.3% on July 31. The minimum regulatory requirement is 100%.