Rising loans curb banks` NPAs

Quarter ended Mar-06Dec-06Mar-07 Andhra Bank0.240.440.17 State Bank of Mysore0.450.370.37 Corporation Bank0.640.470.47 Oriental Bank of Commerce0.500.500.50 Indian Overseas Bank0.650.480.55 Vijaya Bank0.850.490.59 Bank of Baroda0.870.670.60 Bank of India1.490.950.74 Punjab National Bank0.290.420.76 Syndicate Bank0.860.900.76  The gross NPAs of the banks, on the other hand, declined to Rs 33,456 crore as on March 31, 2007, from Rs 35,372 crore as on December 31, 2006.  The net NPA figures of Indian Bank for the quarter ended December 2006 were not available. UCO Bank registered the highest net NPA to net advances ratio at 2.14 per cent, whereas Andhra Bank had the lowest net NPAs at 0.17 per cent among all PSU banks.  Twelve PSU banks now have less than 1 per cent net NPAs compared with 10 banks on March 31, 2006. Andhra Bank had net NPAs of 0.17 per cent, State Bank of Mysore 0.37 per cent, Corporation Bank 0.47 per cent and Oriental Bank of Commerce 0.50 per cent.  Dena Bank reduced its net NPAs to 1.99 per cent from 3.04 per cent a year ago. Punjab National Bank