The total of bank loan portfolios rose 26.7% year-on-year to over 8 trillion soums, up from 6.372 trillion soums. About 79% of loans are long-term.

Aggregate capital of the commercial banks grew 1.5 times year-on-year to 2.3 billion soums in the reporting period.

Retail deposits were up 25.3% to 2.19 trillion soums. Total bank capital increased almost 11% to 2.335 trillion soums in the period.

Commercial banks allocated loans for 937 billion soums to support small and private businesses in the first half of 2009, which is up 68% year-on-year. The bank issued 1 trillion soums to develop production of agriculture products.

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan said the commercial banks emitted 1.027 banking cards and 17,875 terminals at trade and service points.

At present, Uzbekistan’s banking system is comprised of 29 banks, of which three are state-run and five have foreign participation.