Yemisi Izuora
Guaranty Trust Bank plc, audited financial results for the period ended June 30, 2018 which it released to the Nigerian and London Stock Exchanges, has shown a profit before tax, PBT of N109.6 billion, representing a Growth of 8.4 per cent over N101.1 billion recorded same period in 2017.
A review of the results shows positive performance across all financial indices, reaffirming the Bank’s position as one of the most profitable and well managed financial institutions in Nigeria. Gross earnings for the period grew by 5.9 per cent to ₦226.6billion from ₦214.1billion reported in June 2017.
The Bank’s Loan Book dipped by 10.8 per cent from ₦1.449trillion recorded as at December 2017 to ₦1.293trillion in June 2018, while customers’ deposit grew by 10.0 per cent to ₦2.269trillion from ₦2.062trillion in December 2017.
The Bank’s balance sheet remained strong with a 5.9 per cent growth in Total assets as the Bank closed the period ended June 2018 with Total Assets of ₦3.549trillion and Shareholders’ Funds of ₦497.1Billion.
In terms of Assets quality, NPL ratio improved to 5.8 per cent in June 2018 from 7.7 per cent in December 2017. Overall, Asset quality improved with Cost of Risk of 0.1 per cent and adequate coverage of 167.5 per cent for Lifetime Credit Impaired Loans i.e. NPLs. Capital remains strong with CAR of 22.04 per cent in spite of the implementation of IFRS 9. On the backdrop of this result, Post- Tax Return on Equity (ROAE) and Return on Assets (ROAA) closed at 34.1 per cent and 5.5 per cent respectively.
Commenting on the financial results, the Managing Director/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje, said; “In spite of declining yields and the challenges in the operating environment, we have delivered a decent half year result. The quality of this result is built on the strength of our businesses as well as the success of our digital-first customer-centric strategy in delivering financial services that are simpler, cheaper and more valuable to our customers’ everyday lives.”
He further stated that “We will continue to focus on consolidating our leading position in all the economies in which we operate by staying committed to building a business that is both nimble and efficient whilst strengthening relationships with our customers and creating business platforms that provide them with additional benefits beyond banking.”
GTBank continues to be best in class in terms of all financial ratios posted by Financial Institutions in the Industry as indicated by its Post-Tax Return on equity (ROE) of 34.1 per cent, Post-Tax Return on Assets (ROAA) of 5.5 per cent, Cost to Income ratio of 38.8 per cent, NIM of 9.6 per cent and PBT margin of 48.4 per cent.
These ratios are testament to competent and experienced Management and work-force, efficient Balance sheet structure complemented with Operational efficiency of the Bank. In recognition of the Bank’s bias for world class corporate governance standards, excellent service delivery and innovation, GTBank has been a recipient of numerous awards over the years. These include Africa’s Best Bank for SMEs and Best Bank in Nigeria from Euromoney Magazine, African Bank of the Year from African Banker Magazine, Best Banking Group and Best Retail Bank from World Finance Magazine, Best Bank in Africa for Corporate Governance from Ethical Boardroom Magazine.