Q How did the banking sector perform in 2004?
A The banks registered the highest level of profits since their establishment. Every year in the last four the banks have recorded record profits and 2004 was the highest. They are in an excellent condition, in my opinion. The average capital adequacy of the banking system is about 18% and the minimum [capital adequacy] we have set is 12%, well above the minimum of 8% set by Basel. They are in excellent condition and the level of liquidity is tremendously high in the system and, with the advancement of technology over the past 10 years, this has had a big impact on profitability.
