The aggregate assets of Georgia’s banking sector for 2006 increased by 82,4%, thus making 4,6bln lari ($2,6bln), President of the National Bank of Georgia Roman Gotsaridze stated.

Roman Gotsaridze informed that the aggregate share stock of the commercial banks increased by 90% during the past year, thus making 911mln lari ($520,6mln). The increase of the inflow of foreign capital assisted the growth of the joint stock capital.

It is expected that in 2007, $500mln will be invested in Georgian banks.

The net profit of the Georgian banking system for 2006 increased by 65% and made 102mln lari ($58,3mln).

The volumes of the deposits increased by 66% and made 1,8bln lari. The dollarization of the deposits decreased from 71,6% in 2005 to 69% in 2006.

The number of ATM machines in Georgia doubled and made 298, the volume of plastic cards increased 3,5 times, thus making 900 thousand.