The bank has estimated the likely provisions required for fiscal 1998-99 in respect of non-performing assets and provided more than 50 per cent of the required estimates in the first half of 1998-99 itself, the bank said in a press release.

The bank's board of directors met on Monday to take on record and adopt the audited results for the first half of 1998-99.

The advances, including investment in corporate debt instruments, stood at Rs 1,944,45 crore during the first half of the current year compared with Rs 912.07 crore during the corresponding period of the previous year.

The deposits stood at Rs 4,430.51 during the period compared with Rs 1,701.19 crore last year.

The operating profit has also moved up to Rs 58.08 crore from Rs 28.07 crore.

The bank's total income stands at Rs 274.64 croreduring the period compared with Rs 163.34 crore for the first half ended September 1997.

The interest income of the bank was pegged at Rs 231.16 crore for the current year compared with Rs 123.53 crore in the corresponding period last year.

The total expenditure amounted to Rs 208.38 crore compared with Rs 105.84 crore last year.