DUSHANBE, January 15, 2013, Asia-Plus -- In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, Ms. Gulnora Hasanova, chairperson of Tajikistan’s savings bank, Amonatbonk, revealed on January 14 that the bank deposits grew 22.5 percent in a year to December 31, 2012.

According to her, deposits for a total amount of 940.4 million somoni were kept at Amonatbonk as of December 31, 2012.

The number of depositors reportedly reached 317,000 people and the bank’s loan portfolio amounted to 342.2 million somoni as of December 31, 2012.

Amonatbonk’s net profit last year amounted to 19.2 million somoni, which was 72.2 percent more than in 2011, Hasanova said.

The bank’s aggregate capital rose 17.5 percent in a year to December 31, 2012, reaching 162.8 million somoni, the bank chairperson noted.

Amonatbonk is the only state-owned bank.  It is one of the oldest in Tajikistan (established in 1925) and one of the largest based upon various criteria - including the number of branches and the number of served clients.  The institution is unique in its orientation towards implementing social, pension and other state programs.  Amonatbonk has 5 regional centers, 69 branches and nearly 500 agencies. This gives the institution a presence in the most remote mountainous parts of the country.