BBL profit edges up 5%

 In the statement to the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the country's largest bank said that in 2008 its lending business expanded 13.2 per cent on year. Outstanding loans at the end of last year were tuned at Bt1.17 trillion.

 Meanwhile, deposits grew only 3.5 per cent to Bt1.3 trillion.

 The bank also showed that its non-performing loans were down to 4.6 per cent of total loans.

 Siam Commercial Bank on Monday reported that its 2008 net profit jumped 23.4 per cent to Bt21.4 billion.