Further Growth For Guernsey Bank Deposits Announced

by Carla Johnson, Investors Offshore.com, London

27 February 2008

Deposits held by Guernsey banks grew another GBP6.5bn (5.8%) in the last three months of 2007, despite the continuing market turmoil.

The increase meant that the total value of deposits rose by GBP26.85bn (29%) during the twelve months to finish the year at a new record high of GBP119.2bn.

The latest report from the Island’s regulator, the Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC), shows that there was a major increase in deposits during quarter one of last year. Quarter 2 saw comparatively steady yet continued growth and this has been followed by increasingly larger rises through the second half of 2007.

The figures represent continued solid growth in corporate business as well as increasing Swiss fiduciary deposits and other inter-bank business.

The release of these figures followed the latest Guernsey investment fund results showing growth of GBP13.7bn (8%) during the quarter and GBP48bn (37%) year on year, to close 2007 at a new record high of GBP178bn.

“These deposit figures come hot on the heels of the news that the funds industry continues to perform superbly however the results from the banking sector show that it is by no means lagging behind,” observed Peter Niven, Chief Executive of GuernseyFinance – the promotional agency for the Island’s finance industry.

He concluded: “This growth during the so-called credit crunch reflects the fact that during these uncertain times people do take more comfort out of holding cash than investments and it also shows that they are choosing Guernsey – a location in which they can have confidence. Furthermore, the fact that the Island is able to post exceptional funds figures at the same time highlights just how our financial services industry is firing on all cylinders.”

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