Cogebanque  half-year net profits have declined by 12 per cent from Rwf1.04b to Rwf907.5m. The bank, with Rwf5b share capital, reported a drop in net interests, from Rwf2.7b in June last year to Rwf2.66b in the first half of this year, according to the January-June income statement released on Friday.There was, however, a 19 per cent growth in total assets from Rwf84.9b to Rwf101.2b year-on-year. The bank’s loan book also grew by 12 per cent to Rwf57.2b compared to Rwf51b over the same period last year. Non-performing loans increased from Rwf3.3b to Rwf4.2b year-on-year.The banking sector’s non-performing loans ratio increased from 5.8 per cent end June last year to 6.9 per cent in the same period this year.The central bank governor, John Rwangombwa, while releasing the quarterly monetary policy and financial stability last month, noted that the increase would not stress the banks’ financial stability."The central bank has ensured that banks have strong risk management mechanisms. Therefore, we manage credit and market risks, and banks evaluate customers and  make robust credit decisions today as compared to the previous years,” said Sanjeev Anand, the chairman of the Rwanda Bankers Association.The sector’s loan book grew by 18.3 per cent year on year compared to the 35.6 per cent recorded in the same period last year.According to the financial results that have been released by banks so far, the January-June period could have been tough for the sector as most have reported losses.