The loan will enable the bank to on-lend finance to private-sector industrial enterprises to improve energy efficiency or implement a renewable energy project.

The consolidated profit (after taxes and minorities) for the first six months of the year amounted to € 289.2 million, which is an increase of 55.6 per cent (1-6/2005: € 185.8 million).

The Bank also has its extended working places in 13 departments of the National Revenue Agency, where citizens and companies can pay their taxes and securities with no fees.

The new bond has a per value of BGN 33, 750 Mio and is the biggest issue of Bulgarian Postbank AD so far.

The amount of the loan is up to 30 000 BGN with a maximum term of up to 7 years. The interest on the loan is 9,25% for EUR and 10% for BGN.

The renowned British financial magazine Euromoney has named Vienna-based Raiffeisen International Bank-Holding AG together with its parent company Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich AG (RZB) as Best Bank in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) for the second year running.