Lion Finance Group PLC

Lion Finance Group reported second-quarter revenue rose 23.4% year over year and profit increased 20.6%, driven by strong growth in Georgia and Armenia. Loans expanded 23% in constant currency and deposits rose 26.8%, both above the group's medium-term guidance of about 15%. The quarterly cost of risk was 0.6%, below the 80-to-100-basis-point guidance, and return on equity reached about 27%. In Armenia, Ameriabank's profit climbed roughly 50% in the quarter, with loans and deposits increasing about 37% and market share gains in both areas. The board recommended a GEL 3.05-per-share dividend and plans GEL 59 million in buybacks, while management expects stable net interest margins and said second-half performance could match the strong first half.