Seni Durojaiye
FCMB Group Plc has reported a profit before tax (PBT) of N14.2billion for the nine-months, ended 30 September 2016. This represents an impressive increase by 453% from N2.563 billion recorded in the comparative period of 2015. The banking group has attributed the current development partially to its soundness of ratios, steady buffers against the subsisting adverse operating environment, in addition to the Bank’s sustained revenue momentum combined with its cost optimisation programme.
According to the details of its Unaudited Results announced on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), FCMB Group Plc’s Gross revenue was N140.7 billion for the nine-months, a 29% increase from N109.3 billion for the same period prior year.
The Group also recorded Non-interest income of N44.8 billion which is an increase of 128% Year-on-Year (YoY), from N19.6 billion for the same period prior year. This increase has been predicated on a 612% YoY increase in FX income, from N5.0 billion for the nine-months ended September 2015, to N35.3 billion for the nine-months ended September 2016.
Recall that First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, the flagship of FCMB Group Plc, one of the leading financial services institutions in Nigeria with subsidiaries that are market leaders in their respective segments had successfully transformed to a retail and commercial banking-led group. An x-ray of the 2016 third quarter performance shows the firm has continued to make significant inroads with profound gains in the growth of the business in areas such as retail banking (with a 315% YoY growth in profitability) with increasing of its share of banking activities in the agricultural sector.
Commenting, the Managing Director of FCMB Group Plc, Mr. Peter Obaseki, commenting said, “The audited nine months results for the period ended September 2016, reflects our focus on key soundness ratios and the need to maintain buffers against a sustained adverse operating environment. Accordingly, capital adequacy and liquidity ratios have held up at 17.6% and 36.8%, respectively. Overall, profit before tax came in at N14.2bn, a 453% growth, translating to an EPS of 87 kobo, up 30.6%, YoY, Underlying revenue momentum remains strong while cost optimization programme led to a 2% YoY drop in operating expenses, despite inflationary spiral respectively. The macro economic conditions in the final quarter remains challenging; we will keep up a conservative stance.”
Group Managing Director of FCMB Ltd, Mr. Ladi Balogun, while also commenting on the Group’s results stated that, “The audited results of the bank reveal that the extraordinary performance of Q2 2016 offset the loss recorded in Q3 of N2.4 billion, thereby resulting in strong year-on-year profit growth of 913%. In order to avoid an unsustainable, non-cash, spike in earnings from further revaluation gains in Q3, the bank also significantly stepped up its loan loss provisions. The macroeconomic climate is taking a significant toll on the bank’s borrowing customers across all segments. Accordingly, the bank will maintain high provision coverage ratios (currently 131%), continue to strengthen our capital adequacy ratio (currently 16.9%) and our liquidity ratio (currently 36.8%).”
