BCR, the biggest bank in Romania, recorded a net profit of EUR 225.9 million in the first nine months of this year, up 21.8% compared to the same period of 2015, according to the results released on Friday by BCR’s owner, Austrian group Erste.

The profit was mainly influenced by the lower risk costs after BCR restructured its portfolio in the past year.

Meanwhile, the operating revenues decreased by 8.2% in the first nine months of 2016, to EUR 470.2 million. The bank’s net interest income fell by 14% to EUR 285.6 million whereas the net fee and commission income declined by 0.8% to EUR 118.8 million.

The operating result amounted to EUR 221.3 million between January and September 2016, down 15.9% compared to the same period last year.

BCR reported a gain of EUR 24.3 million from the sale of its shares in Visa Europe.

editor@romania-insider.com