OREANDA-NEWS. On April 10, 2007 BTA Directors stated the results of Bank’s activity in 2006 and shared future prospects in the course of interactive international press-conference "Almaty-Moscow-Tbilisi- Kiev", reported the press-centre of JSC "Bank TuranAlem".

"In 2006 BTA held its leading position and high growth rates under strong competition in the financial market. During this period our Bank became more successful, strong and stable financial institution. We made a resolute step to turn the bank into the largest financial institution in CIS. I am convinced that in 2007 we will get closer to this purpose" - said Roman Solodchenko, the Chairman of the JSC "Bank TuranAlem" Board.

Consolidated net income of the Bank in 2006 was $309.900,00 which is 2,8 times as much as at 2005, aggregate assets - $16.339.700,00 (2,2 times increase), share capital - $1.532.400,00 (2,4 times increase), credit portfolio - $10.578.100,00 (more than 2 times increase).

Last year BTA continued diversification of its credit portfolio by gradual decrease of its concentration. The Bank’s loans are working in the projects of oil and gas extraction (6,2% from the aggregate amount of the credit portfolio), agriculture (5,2%), food industry (3,6%), transport (3,1%), retailing (2,3%) and other economy spheres of the Republic.

At the same time small and medium businesses and retail consumers lending still remain among the Bank’s strategies. Thus, SMB credit portfolio increased by 90% and was $1252 mln by the end of reporting period, retail loans - by 2,8 times up to $1339 mln.

The main index of the Bank’s goodwill is a continuous increase of physical persons deposits. In 2006 the amount of fixed period deposits increased by 79 % up to $1398 mln.

In 2006 Bank TuranAlem started assets consolidation aimed at competitiveness increase in the markets of Kazakhstan, CIS and foreign countries. Last year BTA Group established two subsidiaries in Russia – LLC "BTA Finance" and LLC "BTA Capital", increased shares in paid-up capital of JSC JV "IC London-Almaty", JSC "BTA Insurance", purchased control stock of JSC "Temirbank". At present BTA is aimed at getting license from authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Ukraine to consolidate PC "BTA-Bank" (Ukraine).

"In 2006 BTA started assets consolidation provided by increasing competitiveness in the banking and financial markets of Kazakhstan and CIS. We are convinced that the consolidation will provide more possibilities to attract finance from international capital markets, the Group’s value growth, increase of its appeal for investors", - said R.Solodchenko.

Following its traditions, BTA raised funds in Polish Zlotys and issued Eurobonds in English pounds, thus continued setting precedents in the banking system of Kazakhstan and CIS.

In 2006 Bank TuranAlem was recognized as "the Bank of the year in CIS" by the CIS banking community, "the Best borrower in the developing markets" by the "Euromoney" magazine, named as "Perfect Bank" by the Consumers National League and rewarded by the Trade Finance magazine for the best transaction in 2005. The organizational committee of the public national award "Golden Altyn" gave the highest appreciation "Grand Prix" in nomination - "The best bank of 2006" - Bank TuranAlem, "The best management company of 2006" - BTA subsidiary - JSC "TuranAlem Securities".