Banks registered 45% larger profit

- There are, currently, 34 active banks in Serbia, the same as at the end of year 2008. The expectations are that the banking sector will be expanded in the future since large number of banks have exceptionally small market shares - it is written in the latest edition "Finance top 2008" of monthly magazine "Biznis i finansije".

Only 16 out of 34 banks increased their market shares, while 18 reduced them. The largest growth of share in banking market was registered by Eurobank EFG, Banca Intesa, Vojvođanska Banka, OTP Bank and KBC Bank.

The profit registered by banks in 2008 was 44.5% larger than in 2007, and it amounted to 34.9 billion RSD. Insurance sector ranks second in capital and number of employees, while the banking sector is the first. Number of insurance companies has grown from 20 to 24, 17 of which are majority owned by foreign companies, 6 are owned by private owners, while one is public property.

- It is important for the insurance companis that the banks remain stable because they keep significant deposits in them, and the economy sector must be solvent in order for the companies to be able to pay the premiums on regular basis - Nebojša Divljan, the Director General of insurance company "Delta Generali", pointed out.

There are 16 leasing companies in Serbia at the moment, and the estimates are that that number would not be increased because of the size of the market.