Ceylon FT: Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) reported a net profit of Rs 3.69 billion at group level during the first half of 2014, up 8% from a year ago. Net profit at bank level also grew by 8% to Rs 3.38 billion, interim financial results showed.
"This growthwas achieved despite lower margins experienced during H1 of 2014 as a result of the drop in lending rates and over Rs 1.5 billion of interest written off on account of pawning. The margins for the second half are expected to improve with re-pricing of deposits in line with the lending rates and the tapering off of the adverse impact from pawning," the bank said in a statement.
Despite industry credit growth continuing to remain sluggish with a year-on-year growth of 4.4%, the bank was successful in recording credit growth rate of 8.3% as at the end of the second quarter of the year. This growth was achieved notwithstanding a drop of approximately 40% in the pawning portfolio during the period, the bank said.
The strong brand image as well as efforts of an effective sales force enabled the Bank to improve the total deposit base by over Rs. 22Bn during the first half of 2014, with the growth in low cost deposit base accounting for over 68% of the total growth. As a result, the local currency CASA ratio improved to 41.5% as at end of Q2 2014.
Though net interest income witnessed a drop inline with the industry as a result of lower margins, the bank's continuing focus on enhancing fee based income enabled to record a robust growth of 20% in fee income with increase in card volumes, guarantee commission contributing towards the growth.
The increase in net gain from financial investments to Rs 1,074 million in the period under review was mainly due to the gains from disposal of shares held in Visa Inc and MasterCard Worldwide.
The impairment provision for the period recorded a significant improvement over the corresponding period of the previous year, propelled by the aggressive recovery efforts initiated by the bank. The reduction in impairment provision by approximately Rs 1.7 billion was largely due to provision reversals effected in H1 2014 on account of pawning.
The focus on recoveries also resulted in the NPA ratio as at end of June 2014 improving to 4.06% in comparison to 4.53% recorded in March 2014 despite industry NPA levels remaining high at 6.2%.
The bank was successful in curtailing the increase in other expenses to 4% during the period. The increase recorded in personnel expenses was due to same being exceptionally low in 2013 as a result of the reversal of provision amounting to Rs 1.5 billion effected in H1 of 2013 on account of Employee Share Benefit Trust (ESBT), consequent to the decision to windup same during this period.
Accordingly, the Bank recorded a PBT of Rs 4.94 billion for the period compared to Rs 4.69 billion recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year while, the HNB group posted a PBT of Rs 5.27 billion as against the PBT of Rs 5 billion recorded a year ago.
HNB Managing Director/CEO Jonathan Alles said: "HNB has once again showcased its resilience backed by a very sustainable business model and strong strategic intent. Considering the expected changes in the macro conditions, the market potential and the opportunity for HNB to propel growth we have already commenced the process of formulating our strategic plan for the next three years. Our concerted efforts on driving a strong sales culture, continuously improving internal processes, achieving excellence in service delivery and leveraging on significant investments made in technology combined with the more positive outlook for the second half will undoubtedly enable HNB to reach greater heights in the future".
"HNB's recent announcement to acquire a 51% stake in Prime Grameen Micro Finance Ltd will complement the Bank's investments in insurance and capital markets and further strengthen the position of HNB Group in the financial services sector," Alles said.
www.ceylontoday.lk
"This growthwas achieved despite lower margins experienced during H1 of 2014 as a result of the drop in lending rates and over Rs 1.5 billion of interest written off on account of pawning. The margins for the second half are expected to improve with re-pricing of deposits in line with the lending rates and the tapering off of the adverse impact from pawning," the bank said in a statement.
Despite industry credit growth continuing to remain sluggish with a year-on-year growth of 4.4%, the bank was successful in recording credit growth rate of 8.3% as at the end of the second quarter of the year. This growth was achieved notwithstanding a drop of approximately 40% in the pawning portfolio during the period, the bank said.
The strong brand image as well as efforts of an effective sales force enabled the Bank to improve the total deposit base by over Rs. 22Bn during the first half of 2014, with the growth in low cost deposit base accounting for over 68% of the total growth. As a result, the local currency CASA ratio improved to 41.5% as at end of Q2 2014.
Though net interest income witnessed a drop inline with the industry as a result of lower margins, the bank's continuing focus on enhancing fee based income enabled to record a robust growth of 20% in fee income with increase in card volumes, guarantee commission contributing towards the growth.
The increase in net gain from financial investments to Rs 1,074 million in the period under review was mainly due to the gains from disposal of shares held in Visa Inc and MasterCard Worldwide.
The impairment provision for the period recorded a significant improvement over the corresponding period of the previous year, propelled by the aggressive recovery efforts initiated by the bank. The reduction in impairment provision by approximately Rs 1.7 billion was largely due to provision reversals effected in H1 2014 on account of pawning.
The focus on recoveries also resulted in the NPA ratio as at end of June 2014 improving to 4.06% in comparison to 4.53% recorded in March 2014 despite industry NPA levels remaining high at 6.2%.
The bank was successful in curtailing the increase in other expenses to 4% during the period. The increase recorded in personnel expenses was due to same being exceptionally low in 2013 as a result of the reversal of provision amounting to Rs 1.5 billion effected in H1 of 2013 on account of Employee Share Benefit Trust (ESBT), consequent to the decision to windup same during this period.
Accordingly, the Bank recorded a PBT of Rs 4.94 billion for the period compared to Rs 4.69 billion recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year while, the HNB group posted a PBT of Rs 5.27 billion as against the PBT of Rs 5 billion recorded a year ago.
HNB Managing Director/CEO Jonathan Alles said: "HNB has once again showcased its resilience backed by a very sustainable business model and strong strategic intent. Considering the expected changes in the macro conditions, the market potential and the opportunity for HNB to propel growth we have already commenced the process of formulating our strategic plan for the next three years. Our concerted efforts on driving a strong sales culture, continuously improving internal processes, achieving excellence in service delivery and leveraging on significant investments made in technology combined with the more positive outlook for the second half will undoubtedly enable HNB to reach greater heights in the future".
"HNB's recent announcement to acquire a 51% stake in Prime Grameen Micro Finance Ltd will complement the Bank's investments in insurance and capital markets and further strengthen the position of HNB Group in the financial services sector," Alles said.
www.ceylontoday.lk
No comments:
Post a Comment