AHLI UNITED BANK REPORTS A 6.6% RISE IN Q1 PROFIT TO US$ 82.4 MILLION
Ahli United Bank B.S.C. (AUB) reported a net profit attributable to its equity shareholders of US$ 82.4 million for the quarter ended 31 March 2012, a 6.6% increase over the same period in 2011 ( Q1/2011: US$ 77.3 million). The resultant Earnings per Share were US 1.6 cents, compared to US 1.5 cents achieved in Q1/2011. The result also represents a 17.2% improvement over the Q/4-2011 trailing quarter reported profit of US$70.3 million.
The key driver to these results was the increase in the operating income of the Bank from US$ 191.2 million to US$ 210.5 million (+ 10.1%), underpinned by the rise in net interest income by 10.3% to US$ 150.8 million (Q1/2011: US$ 136.7 million) and a 8.8% increase in fee income driven by growth in core banking transactions. With incremental revenues and continuing prudent cost management, the cost income ratio further improved to 30.1% (Q1/2011 – 32.2%).
Given the uncertain prevailing economic environment, AUB continued its prudent provisioning policy resulting in the overall provision charge for Q1/2012 increasing to US$46.1 million compared to US$ 35.9 million in Q1/2011. The Group’s asset quality improved with the non-performing loan ratio dropping to 2.3% as at 31 March 2012 (31 December 2011: 2.5%). The overall provision coverage ratio (including collective impairment provisions) increased to 144% as compared to 135% as of 31 December 2011.
Total customers’ deposits increased by US$0.8 billion (+4.5%) over 31 December 2011 to US$ 18.1 billion as at 31 March 2012 while inter bank borrowings, including those under re-purchase agreements, increased by US$ 0.9 billion (+15.8%) over 31 December 2011 levels. Loans portfolio growth was contained at 2.9% to US$ 15.9 billion at 31 March 2012. Deployment of funds in high quality debt securities resulted in non-trading investments portfolio growing by 7.5% to US$ 4.7 billion compared to US$ 4.4 billion as at 31 December 2011. The Group’s total assets rose to US$ 30.2 billion (+ 6.5%, 31 December 2011: US$ 28.3 billion).
The Group’s Return on Average Equity for Q1/2012 stood at 12.8%, compared to 12.9% achieved in the first quarter of 2011. Return on Average Assets was maintained at 1.3% for Q1/2012 (Q1/2011: 1.3%).
“AUB’s performance in Q1/2012 was satisfactory. We are focusing our attention on improving operating and net income through strategic business developments and by the re-deployment of our capital resources to a number of group banks enjoying good growth opportunities.” said Fahad Al-Rajaan, Chairman, AUB