Ecobank Grows Profit After Tax by 29 Percent to N62.6 Billion in H1 2021

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, a leading lender in Nigeria and across Africa, grew gross earnings by 13 percent to N442.9 billion in the first six months ended June 30, 2021.

The bank disclosed in its unaudited financial statements released through the Nigerian Exchange Limited and seen by Investors King on Monday.

Revenue expanded by 15 percent to N334.9 billion in the period under review while operating profit before impairment charges rose by 33 percent to N138.3 billion.

The bank grew profit before tax to N85.3 billion in the first half of 2021, up by 33 percent when compared to N64.133 billion recorded in the same period of 2020.

Profit after tax increased by 29 percent to N62.6 billion, up from N48.535 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2020. Total assets expanded by 6 percent to N11.022 trillion with loans and advances rising by 7 percent to N7.861 trillion.

However, total equity was down by 1 percent to N803.2 billion.

Speaking on the bank’s performance, Ade Ayeyemi, Ecobank Group CEO, said: “We saw continued and sustained resilience in our performance, which is indicative of the success of our ‘execution momentum’ drive. As a result, we generated a return on tangible equity of 16.1% versus 15.2% a year ago and increased diluted EPS and tangible book value per share by 19% and 6%, respectively. In addition, profit before tax increased 23% to $210 million.”

“Group revenues rose 7% to $825 million, despite the challenging operating environment with the third wave of coronavirus infections threatening economic recovery. Our diversified pan-African business model continued to rise to the challenge. Revenues grew 13% and 6% in our Commercial and Consumer businesses, while our focus on growing the trade business led to increased trade assets.

The slowly increasing business and spend activity drove a 20% rise in our Payments business’s revenue to $90 million. Deposits growth was strong, with total deposits now over $19 billion, an increase of $1.0 billion in the second quarter and $2.4 billion in a year, driven by our omnichannel strategy. Though loan growth remained
flat, we are focused on providing support to MSMEs for growth,” Ayeyemi added.

“I am proud of the team’s hard work in driving efficiency, which continues to reflect in our cost-to-income ratio of 58.7% ahead of guidance and progressing well toward our medium-term goal of approximately 55%. In addition, credit quality continued to be exceptionally strong. As a result, our NPL ratio of 7.4% is a substantial improvement from the prior year’s 9.8%, as we also build reserves to insulate the balance sheet with an NPL coverage ratio of 86.7% and pushing towards our nearterm target of 90%,” Ayeyemi continued.

“We successfully raised $350 million Tier 2 Sustainability Notes in June, the first-ever by a financial institution in sub-Saharan Africa and first to have a Basel III-compliant 10-year non-call 5 structure outside South Africa in 144A/RegS format. The Bond was 3.6 times oversubscribed, demonstrating strong confidence in the Ecobank Group and our commitment to the sustainability of our communities and their social needs. I am deeply grateful to all stakeholders and must thank our clients for continuing to put their trust in Ecobank for their diverse banking needs.” Ayeyemi concluded.