21.   The strong results were attributed to increased revenues and decreased loan loss provisions, the bank said.

22.   They have set aside substantial loan loss provisions the last few years.

23.   They were forced to set aside a large part of their profits in loan loss provision.

24.   Some of them had to merge to avert collapse while others were forced to transfer all their profits for the loan loss provisions.

25.   The general loan loss provision would also be halved to one percent starting next year.