The El Siglo newspaper says that 1999 was an extraordinary year for banks in the DR. Up to September, banks had reported profits of RD$1,417.6 million, or a 31.6% growth compared to results of last year. The growth rate is more extraordinary when compared to the 6% growth of banking from 1997 to 1998. The newspaper says that banks reported that earnings were 18.2% of the capital and reserves that totaled RD$7,780.2 million. Banks operating in the DR are Reservas, Intercontinental, Fiduciario, Popular, Nacional de Credito, BHD, del Progreso, Mercantil, Metropolitano, Osaka, Global, Exterior and two foreign banks – Scotiabank and Citibank.
