Bulgaria's banking system accumulated 1.318 bln leva profit for the first nine months of 2008, up by 270 mln leva (25.8%), compared to the year-ago period, data of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) show.

The assets of the banking system amounted to 68.8 bln leva as at the end of November 2008, which represents a 13.8 leva (25%) year-on-year increase.

The gross value of loans and advances stood at 56.249 bln leva as at November 30, 2008, down by 0.2% month on month mainly due to the 6.9-percent drop in claims on credit institutions.

Mortgage loans extended to individuals are the more dynamic component in comparison to the consumer loans.

Financial liabilities accounted for 87.5% of the liabilities in the banking sector.

The banking sector had attracted 60.186 bln leva as at the end of November 2008. The deposits of individuals and households accounted for 36.2% of the figure, even though their share declined by 0.2%. The funds attracted from companies and non-credit institutions declined by 3%, 18.696 bln leva, or 31% of the total.

The funds attracted from credit institutions went up by 3.5% in November to 29% of the total.

In the month, the balance sheet aggregate total capital increased by 92 mln leva (1.2%), as a result of the 1010 mln leva increase in current year income. It grew by 1.646 bln leva in the last twelve months to 7.7 bln leva.