OREANDA-NEWS. On 13 January 2009 was announced, that according to the NBU, the commercial banks increased their net assets by 55.0%, y/y to UAH 927.2bn in 2008, with the highest growth in 4Q2008 (22.5%). Meanwhile, the equity capital of the commercial banks increased by 73.6%, y/y to UAH 121.4bn, mainly due to the charter funds growth by 92.1%, y/y to UAH 82.4bn. At the same time, total income of the banks grew 76.2%, y/y to UAH 120.6bn, while total expenses increased by 81.8%, y/y to UAH 110.9bn. This resulted in the net income of UAH 9.7bn, which rose by 36.6%, y/y in 2008, though fell by 4.0%, m/m in December.