Yemisi Izuora
Fidelity Bank Plc, 2022 Audited Financial Statements which was showcased on the Nigerian bourse has clearly placed the Bank as key leading financial institution that has sustained growth despite excruciating economic environment.
The Banks Profit Before Tax was N53.7 billion representing 112.9 per cent annual growth.
The results showed a 34.4 per cent growth in Gross Earnings YoY to N337.1bn, driven by 45.2 per cent growth in interest and similar income to N295.6bn. The increase in Interest Income was led by a combination of improved yield on earning assets and 19.1 per cent YoY expansion in earnings base to N2.64trn.
Commenting on the Bank’s impressive performance, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc said, “We are happy to report another year of impressive double-digit growth across key income and balance sheet lines. This validates our growth strategy and capacity to deliver superior returns to shareholders.”
Further review showed that Net Interest Income increased by 60.9 per cent YoY to N152.7bn.
The high yield environment had a positive impact on Net Interest Margin, which increased to 6.4 per cent from 4.7 per cent in 2021FY while average funding cost inched up slightly to 4.6 per cent from 4.2 per cent.
Similarly, Total Deposits increased by 27.4 per cent to N2.58trn from N2.02trn in 2021FY, in line with the Bank’s guidance for 2022FY published in its investor relations presentation. The increase was driven by 43.1 per cent growth in low-cost deposits (Demand | Savings | Domiciliary), which resulted in improved margins.
Speaking on the contribution of Foreign Currency (FCY) deposits to its financial performance, Onyeali-Ikpe noted, “FCY deposits increased by $597m (63.4 per cent YoY) to $1.5bn and now accounts for 27.5 per cent of total deposits from 19.7 per cent in 2021FY, as we continue to harness the benefits of our renewed drive in the export business and the diaspora banking space.”
Historically, Fidelity Bank has maintained high asset quality and a healthy balance sheet with its Regulatory Ratios well above the minimum regulatory thresholds. It reported a Liquidity Ratio of 39.6 per cent and Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) at 18.1 per cent compared to the minimum regulatory requirement of 30.0 per cent and 15.0 per cent respectively. Its Non-Performing Loans (NPL) ratio remained unchanged at 2.9 per cent for the year.
“In 2023, we are committed to our strategic plan of expanding our service touchpoints beyond the Nigerian market and providing straight-through services that meet and exceed the needs of our growing clientele”, explained Onyeali-Ikpe.
On the back of the impressive performance, the bank has declared a final dividend of 40kobo per share which brings its total dividend for FY 2022 to 50kobo per share.
Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged customer commercial bank operating in Nigeria with over 7.5 million customers serviced across its 250 business offices and digital banking channels.
The bank was recognized as the Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023 and Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking and Finance Awards. The bank has also won awards for the “Fastest Growing Bank” and “MSME & Entrepreneurship Financing Bank of the Year” at the 2021 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.