ComBank reports modest growth
The Commercial Bank Group has reported moderate growth for the first
half of 2008 in tough market conditions that have impacted the sector in
general.
In results released to the Colombo Stock Exchange this week, the
Group reported a pre-tax profit of Rs 3,656.9 million for the six months
ended June 30, 2008, a growth of Rs. 234.8 million or 6.86 per cent over
the corresponding period in 2007.
Group post-tax profit for same period, at Rs. 2,118.2 million was up
by 5.52 per cent.
The net interest income of the Group rose by Rs.647.2 million or
11.94 per cent while Other Income at Rs. 1,846 million recorded an
increase of Rs.566 million or 44.22 per cent.
“The increase in other income was primarily due to a profit of Rs.
405 million earned by the Bank on the sale of its stake in the shares of
Commercial Leasing Company PLC in May 2008,” Commercial Bank’s Chief
Financial Officer Nandika Buddhipala said.
The Group’s foreign exchange income rose by Rs. 253.2 million or
30.75 per cent during first half 2008, mainly due to higher gains
realised from forward foreign exchange deals done in 2008.
The Group’s tax on profit on ordinary activities published in the
first half results of 2007, has been re-stated as Rs. 1,414.8 million in
the comparative column of the Income Statement of 2007.
This was due to reversal of a deferred tax asset recognised on
statutory general provisions made as per the new provisioning
requirement of the Central Bank, which was reversed in preparing the
Annual Report for 2007.
If the re-statement of the tax on profit on ordinary activities was
not reflected, the profit after tax for the first half 2007 would have
been Rs. 2,173.3 million, marginally higher than the post-tax profit
achieved in the period under review.
Another significant development was that net provisions for bad and
doubtful debts rose by Rs.349.6 million to Rs. 795.7 million, recording
an increase of 78.37 per cent, mainly due to sector specific provisions
made in the first half of 2008.
Further, a general provision of Rs. 282.7 million on performing and
overdue loans as against Rs.245.7 million provided for the corresponding
period in 2007 also contributed to the increase in net provisions for
bad and doubtful debts and advances in the first half 2008.
“This additional provision was to conform with the new provisioning
requirements stipulated by the Central Bank,” Buddhipala said.
Meanwhile, non-interest expenses of the Group have also recorded an
increase of Rs 577.7 million or 19.94 per cent, in the period reviewed. |