ANDHRA BANK’S NET LOSS WIDENS

Andhra Bank said its net loss widened to `578.59 crore, as bad loans surged. The bank has posted a net loss of

`532.02 crore. Total income, however, rose to

`5,322.33 crore as against

`5,093.43 crore. Provisions for bad loans were raised to `1,790.17 crore, from

`1,744.99 crore. The bank witnessed its asset quality deteriorating as gross NPAs ballooned to 16.68 per cent of gross advances, compared to

14.26 per cent.