Finance

Fidelity Bank’s Profit Rose by 27% in Q2

Published

5 years ago

September 27, 2018

Fidelity Bank’s Profit Rose by 27% in Q2

Fidelity Bank Plc’s profit before tax rose by 27.3 per cent from N10.2bn in the second quarter of 2017 to N13bn in the corresponding period of 2018.

According to a report which was released at the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Wednesday, the bank’s profit after tax rose by 31 per cent to N11.8bn from N9.03bn in the second half of 2017 to N11.8bn in same period of 2018.

It disclosed that its gross earnings rose by 3.6 per cent from N85.8bn to N88.9bn.

The bank stated, “In other indices, total assets grew by 13.7 per cent to N1,567.6bn from N1,379.2bn in the previous period. Total deposits, a measure of customer confidence, increased by 19.7 per cent to close at N927.9bn from N775.3bn in 2017.”

Commenting on the results, Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, attributed the impressive performance to the disciplined approach in managing the balance sheet growth of the bank, its strategic cost containment initiatives; focused attention to chosen business segments and determined execution of its retail and digital banking strategy.

He stated, “Gross earnings, net fee and commission income all grew primarily due to the increase in transactional activities. Our digital banking initiative continues to gain traction with almost 40 per cent of our customers now enrolled on our mobile/Internet banking products and over 80 per cent of total transactions now done on our digital platforms.”

It added that as shown in recent years, Fidelity Bank’s retail digital banking strategy had continued to positively impact on the business.

The statement said, “This was again evident in the HI 2018 results as savings deposits increased by 10.6 per cent to N197.5bn. The bank is on track to achieving a fifth consecutive year of double-digit savings growth. Low-cost deposits now account for 73.8 per cent of total deposits.”

Although total operating expenses grew by 5.7 per cent to N32.7bn, Okonkwo maintained that the bank’s cost-to-income ratio remained relatively stable at 67.7 per cent when compared to 67.5 per cent reported in the previous year.

“This is in spite of the double-digit inflationary environment in Nigeria. With regulatory ratios such as the Capital Adequacy Ratio at 17 per cent, Liquidity Ratio at 33.2 per cent, well above required threshold,” it stated.

Okonkwo was optimistic that the bank would sustain the sterling performance in the second half of the year.

Up Next

FG Obtains N280bn AFD Loan in 10 Years

Don't Miss

CBN to Revoke 154 Microfinance Banks’ Licences, 28 Others

Samed Olukoya

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

Comments

Finance

Falcon Corporation Secures N19.41bn Debt Facility for State-of-the-Art LPG Facility in Port Harcourt

Published

12 hours ago

December 5, 2023

Investors King

Falcon Corporation Limited, a prominent player in Nigeria’s energy sector, has successfully secured a N19.41 billion debt facility from the Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria-managed Infrastructure Debt Fund (NIDF).

The financing will be used for the development of a cutting-edge 15,000 metric ton Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage facility and a dedicated jetty in Rumuolumeni, Saipem/Aker Base Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Managing Director of Falcon Corporation, Prof. Joe Ezigbo, emphasized the company’s commitment to national service through investments in the gas industry.

He highlighted the strategic positioning of the LPG facility in proximity to major gas sources and navigable water routes, anticipating economic gains, job creation, income growth, health improvements, and environmental sustainability.

“We positioned our LPG facility strategically in proximity to major Gas sources and navigable water routes. The Project is set to facilitate and enhance more direct procurement and distribution of LPG, which will dramatically lower conventional delivery and storage costs,” said Prof. Joe Ezigbo.

The project has achieved significant milestones, reaching a completion rate of 65% as of October 2023. Various phases of development, including the completion of the jetty, shoreline protection, and engineering activities, have contributed to this progress.

The entire project is expected to be completed and commissioned by Q4 2024.

Falcon’s General Manager, Finance, Nelson Walter, expressed satisfaction with the partnership with NIDF, highlighting their reputation for providing reasonable terms for impactful infrastructure projects.

The flexible long-term loan repayment structure aligns with Falcon’s goals, making the collaboration instrumental in realizing this groundbreaking project.

Financial advisers Vetiva Capital Management Limited and Chapel Hill Denham Advisory, along with legal counsel Detail Commercial Solicitors, played crucial roles in facilitating this strategic debt facility for Falcon Corporation’s ambitious LPG infrastructure development in Rivers State.

Finance

Nigerian Financial Market Sees Vibrant Trading Amidst N90bn Loss

Published

2 days ago

December 4, 2023

Investors King

The Nigerian financial market showcased robust trading activities, dominated by the financial services sector.

Despite this upbeat activity, investors witnessed a net loss of N90 billion by the close of trading.

The financial services industry took the lead in trading, accounting for 67.68% of the total equity turnover volume and 47.30% of the value.

A total of 1.721 billion shares valued at N18.28 billion exchanged hands in 17,151 deals.

The conglomerates industry followed suit with 200.584 million shares worth N1.55 billion traded in 2,073 deals.

The services industry claimed the third position, boasting a turnover of 122.025 million shares valued at N376.17 million in 2,051 deals.

Despite the overall market capitalization dipping by 0.23% to N39.082 trillion due to the delisting of Union Bank of Nigeria’s entire issued share capital, the NGX All-Share Index experienced a 0.27% increase, closing the week at 71,419.87.

Additionally, McNichols Consolidated Plc contributed to the market dynamics by listing 398,053,129 ordinary shares at N0.50 arising from its rights issue.

The total issued and fully paid up shares of McNichols expanded from 718,740,000 to 1,116,793,129 ordinary shares.

The trading landscape witnessed a significant surge, with a 4.88% increase in total traded volume, reaching 2.54 billion units in weekly deals.

The number of trades grew by 8.75%, totaling 36,138, and the weekly traded value surged by 70.50%, amounting to N38.64 billion.

Banking Sector

Zenith Bank Signs MOU With CFA Institute to Develop Finance and Investment Professionals

Published

5 days ago

December 1, 2023

Investors King

Zenith Bank Plc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute to promote efforts and activities that support the formation, training, and updating of human capital in finance and investment for the overall development of the Nigerian financial services sector.

The MoU, was signed by the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu; the President/CEO of the CFA Institute, Margaret Franklin; and the President of CFA Society Nigeria, Ibukun Oyedeji on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu commended the CFA Institute and the CFA Society, Nigeria for their laudable programmes in developing finance and investment professionals in Nigeria.

According to him, your Women in Investment Management Initiative, CFA Institute Research Challenge, CFA Society Nigeria Ethics Challenge and University Affiliation Program are very laudable, and Zenith Bank will continue to partner with the CFA Institute and the CFA Society Nigeria to ensure that young finance and investment professionals get the needed support for their career development.

In his words, “As a good corporate citizen, Zenith Bank remains committed to furthering the economic, cultural and social development of the society. As such, we continue to support projects and initiatives that have long-term social and economic benefits for our various publics and stakeholders. Partnering with the CFA Institute and the CFA Society Nigeria is therefore a demonstration of our commitment to building professional excellence in the finance services industry in Nigeria”.

At the CFA Institute Africa Investment Conference, during the ‘Journey to the Top: A Discourse with CEOs’ segment, Dr. Onyeagwu inspired future finance and investment professionals to uphold the highest standards of integrity.

He stressed the importance of making difficult yet high-quality decisions, building robust networks, and dedicating themselves to hard work for career success.

In his words, “as upcoming professionals, the opportunities are immense for you. Africa doesn’t get bigger than Nigeria. There is scarcity of the right kind of people that have the talent, that have the character and the leadership to provide leadership in organizations. Make a decision to be one of those, make a decision to be different. You must be driven by your passion; you must delay gratification. In Zenith what is driving us is the strive for excellence. It is not about who you are and where you come from. We have the best class of talents you can think of anywhere in the world.”

He assured the young finance and investment professionals that Zenith Bank will offer immediate employment opportunity to CFA Charter Holders and those who qualify as Chartered Accountants.

Also speaking on the MoU, the President/CEO, CFA Institute, Margaret Franklin reiterated the Institute’s commitment to the professional development of students and upcoming professionals.

In her words, “there are many things that we do for students, we invest heavily in students and why is that? Because they are our future. The mission of the CFA Institute is to lead the investment industry with the highest standards of ethics, education and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society and that starts with our CFA programme”.

She commended Zenith Bank for its continued support to the CFA Society Nigeria and sponsorship of the CFA Institute Research Challenge over the years.

She also commended the bank for being one of the top employers of CFA members in the country. She expressed her admiration of the culture of excellence in Zenith Bank.

Also speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, the President of CFA Society Nigeria, Ibukun Oyedeji commended Zenith Bank for its partnership with CFA Society Nigeria and its commitment to the development of young finance professionals in the country.

The the CFA Institute Africa Investment Conference is being hosted by the CFA Institute and CFA Societies from Ghana, East Africa, South Africa and Mauritius. The conference has representatives from over 20 universities in Nigeria (members of their investment clubs being supported by CFA Society).