The FINANCIAL -- Non-bank deposits (current accounts and term deposits) in the country's banking sector constituted 3.0 billion GEL by February 1, 2009, which is 2.3 percent higher than the comparable figure for the same period of 2008.

The FINANCIAL -- The volume of lending by commercial banks (including loans to non-residents) increased by 1189.3 million GEL (25.5 percent) compared to February 1, 2008 and reached 5.9 billion GEL by February 1, 2009.

The FINANCIAL -- As of February 1, 2009, the banking sector in Georgia is represented by 20 commercial banks, including 15 foreign-controlled banks and 2 branches of non-resident banks. Compared to the beginning of the year total assets of Georgian commercial banks (in current prices) decreased by 319.1 million GEL (3.6 percent) and constituted 8546.5 million GEL.

The FINANCIAL -- According to Civil Georgia, the board of National Bank of Georgia (NBG) elected Giorgi Kadagidze as the president of NBG, which was approved by President Saakashvili on February 27.

The FINANCIAL (via finchannel.com) -- EBRD is lending USD 5 million to Bank Republic to finance energy efficiency projects in Georgia. The facility will be used for on-lending to private sector industrial entities and resident customers to support rational utilization of energy.

The FINANCIAL -- According to Civil Georgia, the Parliament has approved Giorgi Kadagidze as new member of the board of the National Bank of Georgia .

The FINANCIAL -- Bank of Georgia , leading universal bank in the country, has renewed its terms of investment deposit which can now be opened according to the variance of USD/EUR, gold and oil prices.

The FINANCIAL -- In 2009 Bank Republic will take additional market shares, according to Gilbert Hie, Chief Executive Officer of Bank Republic. In terms of corporate and retail activities, the plans of Bank Republic for 2009 are dynamic and growth oriented.