Skip to main content

Access Bank grows Q3 profit to N72bn

Herbert Wigwe, Access Bank's Group Managing Director

Herbert Wigwe, Access Bank’s Group Managing Director

Access Bank Plc has announced an impressive profit of N72 billion for the nine months ended 30 September 2016 based on enhanced business efficiency as a result of the effective execution of its long-term strategy.

The Bank’s Profit Before Tax (PBT) showed an increase of 19% from N60.4 billion recorded during the same period in 2015.

Profit After Tax (PAT) grew by similar margin from N48.1 billion in 2015 to N57.1 billion in 2016.

Access Bank Group’s unaudited nine-month results released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday also showed Gross Earnings of N274.5 billion, up 7% from N257.6 billion in the corresponding period of 2015.

The growth in gross earnings was driven by 17% increase in interest income on the back of continued growth in the Bank’s core business.

Similarly, the Bank posted 12% growth in operating income to N199.3 billion from N178.1 billion in 2015. Customer Deposits grew 25% to ₦2.10 trillion from ₦1.68 trillion in December 2015.

Access Bank’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) remained solid at 19% as at September 2016, well above the regulatory minimum.

Commenting on the result, Group Managing Director/CEO, Herbert Wigwe said, “Access Bank’s performance in the first three quarters of this year remained strong and consistent, reflecting a stable business with the capacity to deliver sustainable returns, particularly during a period underlined by significant macro headwinds.” According to him, the Group maintained stable asset quality, recording NPL and Cost of Risk Ratios (CRR) of 2.1% and 0.9%, respectively.

“Our capital and liquidity position remained adequately above regulatory levels, as we continued to implement a disciplined capital plan, ensuring sufficient levels of profit retention to support our growth.

“In addition to capital enhancement, the recently concluded $300 million senior unsecured debt issue allows us optimise and enhance our foreign currency funding capacity whilst strengthening our balance sheet,” Wigwe added.

The Bank’s asset quality ratios also improved as the percentage of Non-Performing Loans (NPL) to total gross loans stood at 2.1% compared to 1.7% in December 2015. The NPL Coverage Ratio remained strong at 209.5% in the period, compared with 216.4% as at December 2015.

Further analysis of the result indicated that Cost to Income Ratio (CIR) improved 190bps y/y to 57.7 % in the nine months of 2016 on the back of strong income growth during the period. Total Assets stood at N3.39 trillion, up 31% compared to N2.59 trillion in December 2015.

“We remain committed to our cost containment plan, as we strive to balance operational efficiency with earnings growth in a constrained environment. The Bank will remain resilient in the achievement of its strategic imperatives; maximizing our strong market position and solid capital base, while leveraging digital innovation to improve service touchpoints as we sharpen our retail play with emphasis on cheaper funding sources,” Wigwe noted.

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pope not involved in Colombian peace deal- Vatican

Pope Francis Pope Francis has turned down a request to play a role in the peace deal between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group. The Vatican in a statement issued on Wednesday in in Vatican City said that an invitation was sent to his Holiness in early August to appoint a representative to participate in the committee that selected the judges for the talks. The statement said that though Pope Francis supported the peace process, he, however, reiterated that he would not get involved in Colombian peace deal. It said that Pope was praying for the enlightenment of the hearts and minds of those who were called to promote the common good of the Colombian nation. A deal was announced last week, putting an end to five decades of internal conflict between government forces and the FARC rebels. The agreement, which needed to be ratified through a referendum in Oct. 2, would entail setting up a special court to grant amnesties or pu...
Post a Comment
Read more

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...
Post a Comment
Read more

Fall of Assad is a Blow to Russia's Prestige

The potential fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a long-standing ally of Russia, would mark a turning point in Moscow’s global influence, particularly in the Middle East. Steve Rosenberg’s analysis underscores the profound implications for Russia, which has invested heavily—both militarily and politically—in ensuring Assad’s survival over the past decade. This article delves into why Assad’s downfall would strike at the core of Russian prestige and what it could mean for the broader geopolitical landscape. Russia's Strategic Commitment to Syria Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Russia has been a staunch supporter of Assad's regime. In 2015, Moscow launched a military intervention that proved decisive in stabilizing Assad’s hold on power. This intervention solidified Russia's role as a key power broker in the Middle East and demonstrated its willingness to project military power far beyond its borders. Syria is not just an ally for Russia; it is a...
Post a Comment
Read more