Bangkok Bank expects loan growth to continue in 2013

Bangkok Bank expects further loan growth after the 9.1-percent expansion in 2012.

It witnessed loan growth in all segments, from corporate and SME to retail, pushing up its net profit to Bt33 billion.

At the end of the year, its outstanding loans totalled Bt1.6 trillion, up 9.1 percent year on year to Bt134 billion. Net interest income rose by Bt2.3 billion, or 4.3 per cent, to Bt55 billion while non-interest income expanded by Bt920 billion.

"We registered positive loan growth in 2012, exceeding our targets in many segments, most notably corporate and SME lending. We achieved this by taking very good care of our customers and staying close to them, allowing us to understand their needs and support them appropriately," said Bangkok Bank president Chartsiri Sophonpanich.

The bank reported that its net profit for 2012 increased by Bt5.7 billion, growing 20.8 percent year on year to Bt33 billion.

"For 2013, the bank expects loan growth to continue, with loan demand benefiting from expanding private-sector investment, supported by the government's infrastructure projects and preparation by all sectors of society for the Asean Economic Community," Chartsiri said.

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