Access Bank Rwanda made net income of Rwf 711.8 million last year, 18 per cent increase from the previous year, largely driven by growth in fees and commissions.

A statement released by the bank last week, shows customer deposits rose to Rwf 39.7 billion from Rwf 33.23 billion in 2012 while loans and advances went up to Rwf 13.3 billion from Rwf 11.86 billion.

Income from fees and commission grew to Rwf 1.73 billon from Rwf 1.5 billion year-on-year.

However, operating expenses topped Rwf 4.48bn in 2012 from Rwf 4.47bn last year.

Jean-Claude Karayenzi, the managing director, said they were able to monitor costs while ensuring that performing loans were approved.

"The goal was to have clients carrying out more transactions while at the same time serving them with good customer service in order to attract more and increase on their deposits,” he said.