(23 August 2006 – China) Bank of Communications revealed a 31 percent increase in its first half earnings on the back of a strong growth in lending.Earnings came in at six billion yuan compared to 4.6 billion yuan in the first half of the previous year, helped along by a 23 percent increase in net interest income.
Although the lending environment may not seem to favour continued growth after Beijing put up interest rates twice over the past four months, the bank is anticipating robust growth in loans.
Speaking at a media briefing, vice president Peng Chun said that the bank expects loans growth of about 16 to 18 percent for the full year.
Bank of Communications is China’s fifth largest lender and is part owned by HSBC.