Profit of Raiffeisen Bank Romania, up by 45 pct in first nine months, to 1.3 billion RON

 Raiffeisen Bank Romania recorded a profit of 1.3 billion RON in the first nine months, up 45% compared to the same period last year, the bank announced on Friday.According to the quoted source, the bank recorded total assets of 67.5 billion RON in the first nine months, up 9% compared to the same period last year. At the same time, operating expenses increased by 11% year on year, mainly from personnel, IT and logistics costs.The savings of Raiffeisen Bank Romania clients registered an advance of 6% year on year, as a result of the increase in the balance of term deposits in all business segments. In the category of natural person clients, the increase was 7% year on year, it is mentioned in the release.According to the bank, the share of term deposits in the total savings fund of Raiffeisen Bank customers increased to 39% in the third quarter of the year, from 18% at the end of the third quarter of 2022.At the same time, loans granted to clients registered a growth rate of 4% year on year, growth generated especially from the segments of legal entities.According to the bank, the volume of unsecured personal loans increased slightly in the third quarter of the year, with the constant maintenance of the market share. Also, one out of two clients purchased, in 2023, the product with a refinancing component."Regarding lending for housing purchases, Q3 2023 was marked by a slowdown, in line with the uncertain economic context. However, Raiffeisen Bank Romania continued "green" lending by increasing the weight to over 50% of the volumes of housing loans The share of fixed-interest loans in the structure of real estate loan sales has reached 94%," states the cited source.The stock of loans related to corporate clients strengthened by 5% compared to the same period of the previous year, also supported by the bank's active involvement in the financing of sustainable projects (renewable energy, energy efficiency and the financing of social projects).At the same time, the stock of loans granted to SMEs increased by 8% year on year, with a positive impact in the context of the bank's participation in government programs such as IMM Invest."Lending through digital channels continues to support the growth of the portfolio of loans granted to Micro clients, with a share of approximately 15% in new volumes. Since the beginning of the year, more than 1,200 clients have benefited from this fast and simple flow (+75% in the volumes generated compared to those related to the entire year 2022)," the press release states.Raiffeisen Bank serves over 2.2 million clients, individuals and legal entities. The bank has over 4,900 employees in 285 units, 1,126 ATM&MFM and over 28,900 POS.