The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has posted 12.6 per cent growth in its Profit Before Tax (PBT) to N85.7 billion, up from N76.2 billion recorded in the same period of 2021, according to a statement by the lender.
The tier1 lender delivered impressive numbers, with gross earnings grew to N372.4 billion, a 17.8 per cent increase compared with N316 billion that was posted in the same period in the previous year
The impressive financials was coming against the backdrop of numerous business, economic as well as geopolitical environmental challenges including continued supply-chain interruptions due to Covid, the Russia and Ukraine conflict, and the resultant rise in prices of global commodities, that characterised the first six months of the year
The bank also reported an operating income of N256 billion in the period, representing 20.1 per cent rise while the firm’s profit after tax closed the first half stronger at N70.3 billion, up by 16.1 per cent compared to the N60.6 billion same period in 2021.
A further breakdown of the Bank’s half-year result, which was filed with the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), in the early hours of Thursday, September 8, showed total assets continued on an upward trajectory, increasing 5.4 per cent to about N9 trillion.
UBA delivered on its core mandate of extending loans to credit-worthy customers, with loans and advances increasing by 4 per cent to N3trillion; whilst deposits rose by 7.9 per cent to N7.6 trillion at the end of the period.
Shareholders’ funds however declined marginally by 2 per cent to N788.5 billion, owing mainly to the decline in its foreign operations translation reserve as well as fair value losses suffered from the investment securities valuation occasioned by the increasing interest rate regime across the globe.
With the strong double-digit growth in PAT vis-à-vis the marginal decline in shareholder’s fund, the Group’s return on equity (RoE) closed the period stronger at 17.7 per cent, whilst return on assets (RoA) came to 1.6 per cent, up by 9 basis points.
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Reaffirming its commitment to shareholders and the investing public, the Board of Directors of UBA Plc declared an interim dividend of 20 kobo per share for every ordinary share of N0.50 each held by its shareholders.
Commenting on the result, the lender’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, said the stellar performance was in line with management’s expectations, adding that the Bank’s continued to focus on its Customer 1st philosophy to pursue the mission of providing superior value to our stakeholders had increased low-cost customer deposits, and boosted the growth of its payment and transaction banking.
The financial year 2022 showed initial signs of recovery of economies across the globe, despite continued COVID-induced supply-chain disruptions. However, geopolitical challenges including the Russia and Ukraine conflict resulted in the escalation of global commodity prices, particularly that of grains and crude oil, which have taken a toll on several economies.
“Notwithstanding these developments, our half-year numbers came out stronger than the previous year, with top and bottom-line reaching new record highs.”
According to him, The Group’s profitability increased by 12.6 per cent to N85.7 billion, with double-digit growth recorded across key income line. The Bank also recorded a decent 20 per cent growth in net interest income as it continues to moderate the cost of funds whilst improving yield on assets, thereby contributing to the strong 20% growth in operating income.
“Our investments in state-of-the-art technology has continued to yield expected results and this is evident in the huge boost of our digital banking income, which grew 22.7 per cent year-on-year to N36.3 billion.
“These gains have enabled us optimise net earnings amid the accelerating inflationary pressure, currency devaluation, and increased regulatory-driven costs,” he said.
Alawuba also noted that he is delighted at the strides made by the Bank in growing its market share across Africa. In his words, “Our retail business has continued to grow as we ride on our agency banking network, trusted brand, competitive product offerings and quality service delivery, to deepen our retail penetration,”
He also commented on his recent appointment as Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, alongside five other Group Executive Directors and assured the investing public of his relentless commitment to the growth of the business.
“Together, with our highly motivated workforce, we are poised to usher the business into a new era of growth that will deliver superior value to all stakeholders,” he said.
