The high increase of the number of branches relative to agencies shows that banks are not interested only in providing the service of collecting deposits but also in providing other products like crediting to the economy. These developments, besides their positive contribution in enhancing the financial intermediation speak for a better perception of the investing potential from banks, in Albania. An outstanding development is mainly related to the client service, which is accompanied through electronic terminals by the increasing number of electronic cards in circulation. Banks offer already debit and credit cards in co-operation with international companies such as Visa and MasterCard. Six banks provide the ATM service and the number of ATMs reached 108 by the end of February 2005. The banking system results to have a profit level, which has been increasing to Lek 5.1 billion. Return on equity (ROE) was estimated at 21 percent while credit quality is only 4.2 percent, from 4.6 percent in the previous year. These positive developments on the banking system were accompanied by a sound macroeconomic environment. For several years the economy is growing at 6 percent while inflation was kept under control within the two-to-four percent targeted range of the Bank of Albania. The fiscal consolidation has been on track while current trade deficit has been financed mainly by remittances and foreign direct investment inflows. The Bank of Albania has played a crucial role in providing this macroeconomic environment.
This is also in line with expectations in the money and foreign exchange markets. The interest rate was last raised in March. In line with the forecast in the March Inflation Report, there are prospects of another interest rate increase in the second quarter – at the monetary policy meeting in May or June – and a further increase thereafter. 2  BIS Review 39/2006  Conclusion Increased globalisation and the ensuing terms of trade improvements have exposed the Norwegian economy to a significant upward income shock. This has amplified the domestic upswing. So far, however, strong growth impulses have not led to major imbalances in the labour market or strong upward wage and price pressures. This may be seen as an indication that the macroeconomic framework, most notably the fiscal and monetary policy regimes, has been quite successful so far in shielding the Norwegian economy from excessive fluctuations. More importantly, as long as we adhere to the macroeconomic framework, it will shield the economy when oil prices eventually fall and our terms of trade are reversed. Thank you for your attention! BIS Review 39/2006  3