(Prensa Latina) - "Venezuelan international reserves reached 36.27 billion dollars this week, with 35.5 billion in the hands of the Central Bank (BCV), official bank sources reported.

The remaining 772 million dollars is in the Venezuelan Stabilization Fund, a financial emergency savings mechanism.

The Venezuelan commercial and universal banks registered a favourable 2006 balance regarding income, credit, and captured funds, specialized sources said here.

The mentioned period was the best in the history of the national banking system, with a growth of 34.4 percent in the institutions.

BCV said 10 of the 39 Venezuelan commercial and universal banks grew 29.6 percent, while the rest grew 45.2 percent.

Actives ended in December 2006 at 68.65 billion dollars, for a growth of 73.4 percent compared to 2005"