National Bank of Egypt (NBE) is exploring signing a settlement agreement of EGP250mn with a financially-troubled steel mill. Vice chairman of NBE Yehya Abou El-Fotouh said that the factory is the second biggest financially-troubled customer in the iron sector preceded by Arco Steel Company, with which the bank had signed a compromise deal in 2014. The iron plant has recently entered into negotiations with NBE, according to Abou El-Fotouh, who added that the negotiations are at an advanced stage, and conditions of settlement are being agreed-upon, in preparation for signature. The senior banker said that NBE is also considering signing a number of settlement agreements with financially troubled customers in some sectors to be finalised in the coming period. He ruled out an increase in the number of NPLs in the coming period, owing to EGP floatation, except for loans granted in dollar. (Al Mal)