ComBank first private bank to cross Rs 10 bn NP mark
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC has established yet another
performance milestone, becoming the first private bank in Sri Lanka to
surpass Rs 10 billion in net profit, following a solid all-round 2012
performance that the Bank dedicates primarily to its customers.
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Dinesh
Weerakkody, Ravi Dias |
Profit before tax for the 12 months ending December 31, 2012 grew
30.26% to Rs 14.311 billion, while profit after tax at Rs 10.072 billion
reflected a growth of 25.15%, Sri Lanka's largest private bank said in a
filing with the Colombo Stock Exchange.
Commercial Bank Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody said the bank’s financial
results reflect the significant role it now plays in the lives of
millions of people and the national economy, as well as its commitment
to the concept of ‘Banking on You.’
Commenting on the Bank's 2012 performance, Weerakkody said “ The
Bank's stellar performance this year amply demonstrates the ‘value’ of
long standing relationships that the bank has built over the years. Many
Sri Lankans are stakeholders of the bank given the bank's wide
geographical spread and the large customer base cutting across every
stratum of society.”
Commercial Bank's Managing Director and CEO Ravi Dias said “Our aim
has always been to focus on our fundamentals strengthening the balance
sheet, ensuring stability and maintaining a strong current and savings
account base, which at current levels is probably the best in the
industry.” The bank's total income for 2012 improved by 38.88% to Rs
63.167 billion, with interest Income increasing 37.72% to Rs 51.838
billion and non-interest income composed of foreign exchange & other
income, growing by 47.62% to Rs 9.729 billion.
Interest income from loans and advances grew by 45.35% to Rs 41.711
billion.
The bank's total performing loans and advances increased by Rs 48.824
billion or 17.94% over the 12 months. Interest Income from Other
Interest Earning Assets such as Treasury Bills and Bonds improved by
13.26% to Rs 10.128 billion. With the bank's deposits portfolio growing
by Rs 64.262 billion or 20.18%, interest expenses grew by 52.31% in the
review period to Rs 29.918 billion.
Consequently, Net Interest Income increased by 21.80% to Rs 21.920
billion. The growth in non-interest income was attributable principally
to increased foreign exchange income. A high volume of Treasury
operations and translation gains generated foreign exchange income of Rs
4.752 billion, an increase of 104.69%.
Total loans and advances of the bank improved by 17.67% over the 12
months to Rs 338.843 billion at December 31, 2012. This growth was
carefully managed by the bank in keeping with the guidelines stipulated
by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Commercial Bank’s Chief Financial
Officer Nandika Buddhipala said.
The bank’s total deposits stood at Rs 382.723 billion at December 31,
2012.Total assets of the bank crossed the Rs 500 billion milestone
during the year to Rs 510.75 billion, reflecting a growth of 15.79%.
Commercial Bank is the first private bank in Sri Lanka to exceed Rs 500
billion in assets. The provisioning policy adopted by the bank under
which it made additional provisions over and above the minimum level
required by the Central Bank resulted in net provisions for bad and
doubtful debts increasing to Rs 1.496 billion, Buddhipala disclosed. In
addition to this the bank made a general provision of Rs 228 million in
the year reviewed.
The Bank’s gross non-performing loans ratio reduced marginally from
3.43% in 2011 to 3.37% in 2012, and its net NPL ratio also improved,
from 2.08% to 1.84%. Its Interest margin increased by 15 bps to 4.59%
from 4.44% a year previously. Non-interest Expenses increased by 17.03%
to Rs 13.858 billion, with staff cost, premises, equipment and
establishment charges increasing due to expansion of the branch network
and relocation of several branches.
In other key performance indicators, the Bank’s Return on Equity
improved to 20.79% while Return on Assets improved to 3.01% before tax
and 2.12% after tax. A 10 year subordinated loan of US$ 75 million
obtained from the IFC in the first quarter of 2013 would further improve
capital adequacy, creating more room for leverage, Buddhipala said.
Taken as a Group, the Commercial Bank, its subsidiaries and associates
reported a pre-tax profit of Rs 14.332 billion at the end of 2012,
representing a growth of 29.49%. Profit after tax for the period
increased by 24.25% to Rs 10.058 billion.
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