Stanbic IBTC, a member of Standard Bank Group, has announced its three months unaudited results for the period ended 31 March 2021, with signs of improvement in its earnings figures and key metrics amid yield pressure.
The unaudited financial statement is coming at a time the global economy is trying to navigate through the impact of Covid-19 and the second wave of the pandemic that nearly crippled world activities.
Some of the financial highlights show that total assets increased by 3% to N2.569 trillion which is above N2.486 that was reported in 2020. Gross loans and advances was up by 16% to N762.7 billion above N655.3 billion in 2020.
While customer deposits increased by 6% to N867.0 billion, above N819.9 billion in 2020, and a breakdown of the bank deposit mix, which comprises currents and savings accounts deposits to total deposits improved by 83.3% against 82.8% in 2020.
Commenting on the results, Dr. Demola Sogunle, Chief Executive Stanbic IBTC, said: “The domestic economy remains quite fragile. Negative real returns prevailed in the first quarter as headline inflation continued on the rise, currently above 18% as of March 2021. Economic activities are expected to improve as the authorities take on appropriate actions and business confidence improves. Just recently, in April 2021, the CBN resumed dollar sales to foreign portfolio investors for the first time since December 2020 to clear the backlog of foreign exchange demand”.
On the flip-side Profit after tax dropped by 45 percent to N11.3 billion when compared with N20.6 billion recorded same period in 2020. Profit before tax also witnessed a drop of 50 percent to N12.1 billion against N24.4 billion that was reported in 2020.
Cost to income ratio was up by 69.2 percent when compared with 48.4 percent that was recorded same period in 2020. Non-performing loans increased by 3% to N27.2 billion above N26.5 billion in 2020, Non-performing loan to total loan ratio stood at 3.6% against 4.0% in 2020.
Dr Sogunle, explained that “The Group’s profitability in the first quarter moderated year-on-year due to pressure on trading income: trading activities in our Global Markets business slowed down compared to prior year, operating expenses from regulatory induced charges increased, as well as the continued pressure on risk asset yields. The decline was partly cushioned by the year-on-year improvement in net fee and commission revenue as well as an impairment write-back of ₦155 million in Q1 2021 compared to the charge of ₦1.97billion in prior year. The impairment write-back was due to releases and after write-off recoveries achieved during the quarter”
He noted that “the diversity of our earnings proved supportive during the period. Wealth’s profitability improved from prior period and provided succour for the contraction in profitability of the Corporate and Investment Banking and the Personal and Business Banking businesses. That said, gross customer loans continued to grow, increasing by 16% from the December 2020 position.
The continued loan growth would support margin accretion and ultimately compensate for the pressure on yields. Customer deposits also increased by 6% from the December 2020 position, most of the growth arose from cheap deposits and resulted in further improvement in the CASA ratio to 83.3% (FY 2020: 82.8%), which was positive for our funding costs. Our capital and liquidity positions remained robust in Q1 2021.
Our latest addition, Stanbic IBTC Insurance Limited commenced full operations during the quarter. Our Pension business introduced the Loyalty program, UMatter, to appreciate our esteemed clients. Our Asset Management business launched the Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund which invests in short term bonds issued by the Government and corporate entities. We are committed to achieving our Full Year 2021 Guidance.”
Meanwhile, the group maintained adequate level of capital during the period. The Group’s total capital adequacy ratio closed at 22.7% (Bank: 17.8%), which is significantly higher than the 10% minimum regulatory requirement.
Also the group maintained a strong and diversified funding base during the first quarter of 2021. The Group’s liquidity ratio was above the regulatory minimum requirement of 30%, which indicates the Group’s sound position to continue meeting its liquidity obligations in a timely manner.
