Luanda — The banking rate in the country in 2012 was set at 23 per cent, when it was estimated at 11 per cent 18 months ago.

This was said to Angop on Friday by the governor of the Angolan National Reserve Bank (BNA), José de Lima Massano, during the year-end greetings ceremony with staff and managers of commercial banks.

According to José de Lima Massano, the growth of Access of the population to banking services was possible with the commitment of the operators of the sector, with emphasis on the commercial banks.

He said that these outcomes must stimulate the operators of the sector in the continuity of the process.

He highlighted the expansion of the banking network that counts on at least 1.155 branches and counters countrywide, while the total deposits grew until November about 10 per cent, with greater representation of the national currency estimated at 52.43 per cent of the total amount.

Regarding credit to the economy, the governor of BNA said that it grew in 19 per cent in the last 12 months.

José de Lima Massano also highlighted the generalised growth of electronic payment, especially those ones paid by ATM cards with an increase of 60 per cent in the last 12 months.