There are a total of 30 banks operating in Bulgaria, according to the latest statistics released by the Bulgarian National Bank. 17 out of the 30 control assets of more than 1 billion leva.

Unicredit Bulbank tops the list for the second year in a row. The bank's sassets rose from 7.85 billion (4 bln euros) to 10.7 billion leva (5.47 bln euros) in the past year.

DSK Bank retains the second position. Its assets expanded by 26.41% to 8.76 billion leva (4.47 billion euros).

Two other banks have assets above 7 billion – United Bulgarian Bank and Raifeissen Bank. Eurobank EFG ranks fifth on the list.

Piraeus Bank moved up to number six after increasing assets by more than 50% in the past year.

Number seven is FIBank, which is the highest ranking 100% Bulgarian-owned bank.

The top 10 also includes SG Expressbank, Alfa Bank and EIBank, followed by two other public banks – Corporate Commercial Bank and Central Cooperative Bank.

The following also control more than 1 billion in assets – Allianz Bank Bulgaria, Unionbank, Municipal Bank, Investbank and ProCredit Bank.

Emporiki Bank recorded the fastest hike in assets – by some 266%. Runners uo here are Alfa Bank and MKB Unionbank, which expanded assets by 92&% and 82% respectively.

Here is the complete chart (assets in BGN):

№BankSept '08Sept '091Unicredit Bulbank1070305578539742DSK Bank 876612869344233UBB791584552595374Raifeissen Bank 716062052890915Eurobank EFG 554299145562116Piraeus Bank 423875028182337FIBank422336037057668SG Expressbank 244203517185449Alfa Bank 2148471111595410EIBank1908822158371111Corporate Commercial Bank 1820272138836112CCB 1651022141643213Allianz Bank Bulgaria1646193132767414Unionbank140953777278215Municipal Bank 117443688505016Investbank 1162029102048817ProCredit Bank 103871571319818BACB82899965213119International Asset bank 55522849293620BNP Paribas54438854595921Emporiki Bank 44031712017822ING Bank 42510540793323City Bank 37837845235224Tokuda Bank 33848524513725Commercial bank D29981819267026Bulgarian Development Bank 27337417309227NLB West East Bank 20622817211328Texim Bank 560234982229T.C. Ziraat Bankasi496294461330Bank Leumi Romania340-
Total6934859351908365

See also: Four Banks in Bulgaria Post Over 100 Mln Leva Profit