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Stanbic IBTC records improvement in key metrics in the first quarter amid yield pressure

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 Stanbic IBTC, a member of Standard Bank Group, has announced its three months unaudited results for the period ended 31 March 2021.

Commenting on the results, Dr. Demola Sogunle, Chief Executive Stanbic IBTC, said: “The domestic economy remains quite fragile. Negative real returns prevailed in the first quarter as headline inflation continued on the rise, currently above 18% as of March 2021. Economic activities are expected to improve as the authorities take on appropriate actions and business confidence improves. Just recently, in April 2021, the CBN resumed dollar sales to foreign portfolio investors for the first time since December 2020 to clear the backlog of foreign exchange demand.

The Group’s profitability in the first quarter moderated year-on-year due to pressure on trading income: trading activities in our Global Markets business slowed down compared to prior year, operating expenses from regulatory induced charges increased,as well as the continued pressure on risk asset yields. The decline was partly cushioned by the year-on-year improvement in net fee and commission revenue as well as an impairment write-back of ₦155 million in Q1 2021 compared to the charge of ₦1.97billion in prior year. The impairment write-back was due to releases and after write-off recoveries achieved during the quarter.

Again, the diversity of our earnings proved supportive during the period. Wealth’s profitability improved from prior period and provided succour for the contraction in profitability of the Corporate and Investment Banking and the Personal and Business Banking businesses. That said, gross customer loans continued to grow, increasing by 16% from the December 2020 position. The continued loan growth would support margin accretion and ultimately compensate for the pressure on yields. Customer deposits also increased by 6% from the December 2020 position, most of the growth arose from cheap deposits and resulted in further improvement in the CASA ratio to 83.3% (FY 2020: 82.8%), which was positive for our funding costs. Our capital and liquidity positions remained robust in Q1 2021.

Our latest addition, Stanbic IBTC Insurance Limited commenced full operations during the quarter. Our Pension business introduced the Loyalty program, UMatter, to appreciate our esteemed clients. Our Asset Management business launched the Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund which invests in short term bonds issued by the Government and corporate entities. We are committed to achieving our Full Year 2021 Guidance.”

Financial highlights

Income statement

  • Gross earnings of ₦45.7 billion, representing 26% decrease (Q1 2020: ₦61.4 billion)
  • Net interest income of ₦15.9 billion, down 14% (Q1 2020: ₦18.5 billion)
  • Non-interest revenue of ₦23.1 billion, down 29% (Q1 2020: ₦32.6 billion)
  • Total operating income of ₦38.9 billion, down 24% (Q1 2020: ₦51.2 billion)
  • Profit before tax of ₦12.1 billion, down 50% (Q1 2020: ₦24.4 billion)
  • Profit after tax of ₦11.3 billion, down 45% (Q1 2020: ₦20.6 billion)
  • Cost to income ratio of 69.2% (Q1 2020: 48.4%)
  • Return on average equity (annualised) 11.6%
  • Return on average assets (annualised) 1.7%

Financial position

  • Total assets increased by 3% to ₦2.569 trillion (December 2020: ₦2.486 trillion)
  • Gross loans & advances up 16% to ₦762.7 billion (December 2020: ₦655.3 billion)
  • Non-performing loans increased by 3% to ₦27.2 billion (December 2020: ₦26.5

billion)

  • Non-performing loan to total loan ratio of 3.6% (December 2020: 4.0%)
  • Customer deposits increased by 6% to ₦867.0 billion (December 2020: ₦819.9

billion)

  • Deposit mix improved to 83.3% (December 2020: 82.8%) of current-and-savings accounts deposits to total deposits

Capital and liquidity

 The Group maintained adequate level of capital during the period. The Group’s total capital adequacy ratio closed at 22.7% (Bank: 17.8%), which is significantly higher than the 10% minimum regulatory requirement.The Group maintained a strong and diversified funding base during the first quarter of 2021. The Group’s liquidity ratio was above the regulatory minimum requirement of 30%, which indicates the Group’s sound position to continue meeting its liquidity obligations in a timely manner.If you have any query, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned on the numbers listed below:

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

Idris Toriola (Head, Investor Relations and Strategy) +234 1 422 8501

Kunle Adedeji (Group Chief Financial Officer) +234 1 422 8767.

 

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FIRSTBANK MARKS SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE: ₦1 TRILLION IN INSTANT DIGITAL LOAN DISBURSEMENTS

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 FirstBank, a leading financial institution and provider of financial inclusion services in West Africa, announces the achievement of ₦1 trillion in cumulative instant digital loan disbursements. This accomplishment further consolidates the Bank’s reputation for innovation, leadership in financial inclusion, and commitment to customer empowerment within.

Since its inaugural digital loan in August 2019, FirstBank has developed an unconventional and robust digital lending ecosystem designed with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, to improve access to finance, especially to the high-risk customer segment. The Bank created a multi- channel loan disbursement service that requires no collaterals, zero documentation and is void of human interactions. Through its FirstAdvance, FirstCredit and AgentCredit products, 1.5 million unique borrowers enjoyed instant and secure access to credit. This is irrespective of whether they are salary earners, non-salary earners, or micro business owners. They also have the convenient options of accessing these loans through platforms such as *894# (FirstBank’s USSD service), FirstMobile, LitApp and the FirstMonie Agent App.

Regarding this milestone, Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business & Retail Products at FirstBank, stated: “This success underscores our ongoing commitment to innovation and a customer-focused approach, which are central to FirstBank’s core values. Beyond achieving substantial figures, we remain dedicated to fostering opportunities for financial independence across Nigeria in particular, and in Africa at large.’’

He added, “We value the trust our customers place in us to support their financial aspirations. Our efforts to advance digital lending will persist, especially to the excluded and underserved customer segments, while effectively managing risks in the process.”

FirstBank currently disburses about N1 Billion daily in digital loans, demonstrating its commitment to fostering an inclusive, technology-driven future for Nigerians. By consistently investing in advanced technologies and developing customised financial solutions, the Bank seeks to improve the financial well-being of individuals and businesses across the nation.

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FIRSTBANK PARTNERS UNGC TO DRIVE SUSTAINABLE FINANCE AND UNLOCK CAPITAL FOR DEVELOPMENT

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FirstBank, the West Africa premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider, has strengthened its partnership with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) to reaffirm its commitment to driving sustainable finance and unlocking capital for development. This ongoing partnership was reinforced at the recently concluded Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) hosted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) in Seville, Spain.

 The FfD4 Conference brought together global leaders, policymakers, and private sector experts to discuss innovative solutions to address the growing SDG financing gap and unlock capital for development in fragile and underserved regions.

FirstBank’s Chief Risk Officer, Patrick Akhidenor, represented the bank at the conference and highlighted two FirstBank flagship initiatives driving resilience finance in Nigeria: The Solar Equipment Financing initiative and the revamped FirstGem Fund. The Solar Equipment Financing initiative offers tailored financing options for the purchase and installation of solar power systems, ensuring access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy solutions. The FirstGem Fund, a women-focused proposition, provides single-digit interest loans to women entrepreneurs without collateral requirements, targeting funding gaps in critical sectors.

‘’We are committed to driving sustainable finance and unlocking capital for development,” said Patrick Akhidenor. “Our partnership with UNGC and participation in the FfD4 Conference demonstrate our dedication to innovative finance solutions that address the SDG financing gap.”

Sanda Ojambo, CEO of UNGC, emphasized the need for innovative, inclusive financial models for underserved regions. “The private sector must play a central role in shaping fit-for-purpose, scalable finance solutions,” she said. “De-risking tools and blended finance can help unlock capital and drive meaningful impact.

FirstBank’s partnership with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and its SMEConnect hub demonstrate its capacity to lead efforts in sustainable finance. The bank provides training, networking, and tailored financing to SMEs across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and retail

 

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Access Holdings Reaffirms Strategic Growth Plan from Expansion to Optimisation

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Access Holdings PLC, the parent company of Access
Bank, has reaffirmed its long-term strategic blueprint anchored on a deliberate and
structured progression: scale, optimise, and sustain.
This roadmap, which has driven the Group’s aggressive expansion across Africa and
into key global markets, is now entering a crucial optimisation phase, expected to unlock
significant value for stakeholders as the organisation heads toward 2027.
Speaking on the strategy, Bolaji Agbede, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer, noted:
“Our approach has always been clear: scale first through strategic expansion, then
optimise through consolidation, synergy realisation, and operational efficiency. During
the scale-up phase, a considerable amount of funding is required to drive investments in
people, systems, infrastructure, and acquisitions.
“But as we move deeper into the optimisation phase, we will begin to see the full benefits
manifest, especially in terms of profitability, capital efficiency, and shareholder returns.”
Access Holdings’ five-year strategic plan, which runs through to 2027, also places
financial inclusion and impact at the core of its growth agenda. By expanding digital
access and scaling low-cost delivery platforms, the Group aims to onboard millions of
previously unbanked and underserved individuals and MSMEs across Africa into the
formal financial system. This is part of a broader strategy to enhance intra-Africa trade,
empower smallholder businesses, and strengthen the value chain across key sectors
including agriculture, commerce, and manufacturing.
The Full Year 2024 financial results demonstrate that the Group’s investments are
already yielding meaningful outcomes. Gross earnings rose to N4.878 trillion from
₦2.594 trillion in 2023, while profit before tax increased by 19% to N867.0 billion. Total
assets surged by 55.5% to N41.498 trillion, reinforcing Access Holdings’ position as one
of Africa’s most formidable financial services institutions.
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