BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 18. The loan
portfolio of Azerbaijan's PASHA Bank exceeded 4 billion manat
($2.39 billion) in the first half of this year, Member of the
Executive Board and Chief Financial Officer of PASHA Bank, Murad
Suleymanov, said at a press conference on the bank’s first-half
2026 results, Trend's correspondent reports from the event.


He noted that the loan portfolio increased by 28% compared with
the same period last year.


“Overall, the loan portfolio exceeded 4 billion manat ($2.39
billion). This represents a 28% increase compared to the same
period last year,” Suleymanov pointed out.


According to data provided by the bank, as of the end of June
2026, trade and services accounted for 36.6% of the loan portfolio,
or 1.493 billion manat ($878.2 million); construction accounted for
16.5%, or 674.8 million manat ($397 million); transport and
telecommunications accounted for 11.4%, or 465.5 million manat
($273.8 million); and loans to individuals accounted for 10.9%, or
444.8 million manat ($261.6 million). Production accounted for 7.6%
of the loan portfolio (311.8 million manat, or $183.4 million), the
energy sector for 5.7% (234.1 million manat, or $137.7 million),
and non-bank credit organizations (NBCOs) for 5% (203.3 million
manat, or $119.6 million).


According to Suleymanov, the breakdown of the loan portfolio
reflects the bank’s focus on financing the economy, particularly
the non-oil sector.


“Looking at the breakdown of the loan portfolio, it has been
formed mainly in the non-oil sector, particularly in areas such as
trade, services, transport and communications,” he explained.


As for the currency structure of loans, as of the end of June,
2.19 billion manat ($1.29 billion) of the portfolio was denominated
in manat, while 1.88 billion manat ($1.1 billion) was denominated
in foreign currencies. Thus, approximately 54% of loans were
provided in manat and 46% in foreign currencies.


The bank’s total assets amounted to 9.9 billion manat ($5.8
billion) as of June 30, 2026.







The share of loans granted to customers within the asset
structure has reached 39.9%. For comparison, this figure stood at
38.5% at the end of 2025.


Suleymanov also noted that financial instruments account for a
significant share of the asset structure. According to him, more
than 57% of the bank's assets are invested in financial
instruments, with government securities and bonds issued by state
organizations playing a key role in this portfolio.


"Fifty-seven percent of assets is a substantial figure. It
reflects both our capital adequacy and our liquidity position," the
Chief Financial Officer emphasized.


At the same time, the bank’s investment securities portfolio
amounted to 1.6 billion manat ($0.9 billion) in the first half of
2026. This figure decreased by 37.4% compared with 2.57 billion
manat ($1.5 billion) at the end of 2025. The total volume of loans
provided by the bank through funds amounted to 440.2 million manat
($258.9 million).


Suleymanov highlighted that support programs for entrepreneurs
in this area, including financing provided through relevant funds,
have continued.


"Looking at the financing provided through the fund, the total
amount reached 440 million manats. Support programs for
entrepreneurs, particularly those channeled through funds, have
remained ongoing. Our portfolio has grown by approximately 20
percent compared to the same six-month period last year," he
added.


The financial officer also said that the quality indicators of
the loan portfolio have remained at a satisfactory level. According
to him, indicators regarding delinquencies within the loan
portfolio's stage-based breakdown are low.