Unity Bank Grows Profit by 34 Percent But Net Trading Income Dips 443% in H1 2021

Unity Bank Plc, a community-oriented commercial bank, extended its positive momentum in the first half (H1) of 2021 as gross income grew by 3 percent to N23.609 billion, up from N22.863 billion filed in the first half of 2020.

The bank disclosed in its unaudited financial statement released on Friday.

Net interest income rose to N9.868 billion in the period under review, representing an increase of 9 percent from N9.059 billion filed in the corresponding period of 2020. Unity Bank increased net fee and commission income by 21 to N3.073 billion, up from N2.545 billion achieved in H1 2020.

However, net trading income dipped by 443 percent from N30.342 million recorded in H1 2020 to -N104.108 million. Other operating income also decreased by 27 percent to N366.067 million when compared to N500.721 million filed in H1 2020.

The bank’s net operating income expanded by 18 percent to N13.923 billion in H1 2021 from N11.824 billion in H1 2020. Profit before tax increased to N1.502 billion in the period under review, an increase of 34 percent from N1.120 billion filed in H1 2020.

Profit after tax rose to N1.382 billion in H1 2021, an increase of 34 percent from N1.031 billion recorded in H1 2020.

Speaking on the performance, the Managing Director/CEO of Unity Bank Plc, Mrs. Tomi Somefun, said “the bank is beginning to reflect greater consistency, steady outlook and resilience that places it on a performance pedestal ahead of the volatilities in the operating environment occasioned partly by the prevailing global pandemic and other market shocks that have far-reaching implications in the local and foreign economies.

“The double digits growth recorded in both earnings and profits, she further added, was the result of a portfolio plan which the Bank set out in the beginning of the year to diversify its portfolio whilst incrementally pursuing asset creation in petrochemical downstream, consumer, healthcare and general commerce with agribusiness providing the bulwark for identified business and brand benefits.”