The total amount of assets in the banking sector in Bulgaria stood at 54.96 bln leva (28.100 bln euros) in November, which is a 1.75 bln leva hike on a monthly basis (3.3%), and a 14.97 bln leva (37.4%) increase year-on-year.

The biggest increase is in the sector of credits and borrowings (including financial leasing), whose share rose to 76.6% of total assets compared with 73% a year ago.

At the end of November, the five largest credit institutions in the country controlled 56.9% of assets.

The gross amount of credits came to 43.1 bln leva (22.036 bln euros) during the month concerned, which is an increase of 1.792 bln leva (4.3%), mainly due to a hike in the amount of 1.011 bln leva (4.6%) in corporate clients.

The amount of consumer credits (307 mln leva, 4.7%) is rising at a faster pace than that of mortgage credits given to individuals (138 mln leva, 2.6%).

On November 30, the banking sector's profit stood at 1.048 bln leva (535.833 mln euros), which is 55% above profit posted for the respective period last year (675 mln leva, 345.122 mln euros).