While the dollar is falling against the shekel and the American mortgage banks are looking for an infusion of fresh air, Israel�s banks are continuing to bring in handsome profits.

According to a Channel 2 TV News report, bank profits for last year as follows;

** Israel Discount � NIS 1.265 billion,

** Hapoalim Bank � down from last year, some 20% due to failed investments, some in America, earning NIS 2.67 billion.���������������

** Bank Leumi � beating out Hapoalim this year with a profit of NIS 3.35 billion.

The salaries of top bank officials are also impressive, such as Discount�s Shlomo Zohar, earning NIS 17.65 million annually and Balia Maor of Leumi, NIS 9 million.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)