BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 18. The share of
funds attracted by the banking sector that is channeled into
lending in Azerbaijan has risen from 62% to about 70% over the past
3 years, Deputy CEO of PASHA Bank's Executive Board, Bahruz
Naghiyev, said at a press conference on the bank’s first-half 2026
results, Trend's
correspondent reports from the event.
Naghiyev noted that one of the banking sector's primary
functions is to channel the funds it mobilizes into financing the
economy.
"A crucial point here is whether or not we, as the banking
sector, are directing the funds we mobilize toward lending. If we
do so, we can speak of increased economic activity," he pointed
out.
According to him, positive trends have been observed in this
regard in recent years.
"If we look at a three-year comparison, previously about 62% of
the funds we mobilized went toward lending. Today, that figure is
around 70%," Naghiyev explained.
The bank official also said that this figure can be further
raised.
"These figures should increase further. We need to be more
active and strive to ensure greater levels of financing," he
emphasized.
Naghiyev noted that the expansion of economic financing does not
depend solely on the banking sector's activities. According to him,
reforms implemented across various sectors of the economy also
influence the outcomes of financing.
"This doesn't depend solely on the banking sector. Reforms must
continue across every sector of the economy for this financing to
yield results," the deputy CEO clarified.
He also noted that lending is a key indicator for assessing
economic activity.
"If we are discussing economic activity, we must look at the
lending figures. These are key indicators," Naghiyev added.
PASHA Bank’s total assets amounted to 9.98 billion manat ($5.87
billion), its loan portfolio to 4.08 billion manat ($2.4 billion),
its deposit portfolio to 7.75 billion manat ($4.56 billion), and
its capital to 1.01 billion manat ($594.1 million) in the first
half of this year.
