Bank of East Asia Ltd (BKEAY.PK)

The Bank of East Asia, Limited (BEA) provides business and personal banking services in Hong Kong, China and other countries. BEA offers a range of wholesale and retail banking services through its corporate banking, personal banking, investment banking and China services units. The Company's products and services range from deposits, foreign currency savings, premium banking services, mortgage loans, consumer loans, credit cards, cyber banking, mandatory provident fund services, trade finance, syndication loans, remittances and foreign exchange margin trading. In addition, the Company provides comprehensive insurance services through its subsidiary, Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Ltd., as well as business, corporate and investor services via the Tricor Group.

For the six months ended 30 June 2006, The Bank of East Asia Limited's interest income increased 94% to HK$5.90B. Net interest income after loan loss provision increased 38% to HK$2.31B. Net income increased 32% to HK$1.57B. Net interest income reflects an increase in interest earning assets. Net income was partially offset by an increase in operating expenses and presence of impairment losses on loans & advances.