Guaranty Trust Bank plc has released its audited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2016 to the Nigerian and London Stock Exchanges.
A review of the results shows positive performance across all financial indices, reaffirming the Bank’s position as one of the most profitable and well managed financial institutions in Nigeria. Gross earnings for the period grew by 37% to ₦414.62billion from ₦301.85billion reported in the December 2015; driven primarily by growth in interest income as well as foreign exchange income. Profit before tax stood at ₦165.14billion, representing a growth of 37% over ₦120.69billion recorded in the corresponding period of December 2015.The Bank’s loan book grew by 16% from ₦1.373trillion recorded as at December 2015 to ₦1.590trillion in December 2016 with corresponding growth in total deposits which increased by 29% to ₦2.111trillion from ₦1.637trillion in December 2015.
The Bank’s balance sheet remained strong with a 19.7% growth in Total assets and Contingents as the Bank closed the year ended December 2016 with Total Assets and Contingents of ₦3.70trillion and Shareholders’ Funds of ₦504.9Billion. The Bank’s non-performing loans remained low and within regulatory threshold at 3.66% (Bank: 3.29%) with adequate coverage of 131.79% (Bank: 150.80%). Increase in collective impairment was borne out of the prudent stance of the Bank, while Capital remains strong with CAR of 19.79%. On the backdrop of this result, Return on Equity (ROAE) and Return on Assets (ROAA) closed at 35.96% and 5.85% respectively. The Bank is proposing final dividend of 175k per unit of ordinary share held by shareholders in addition to interim dividend of 25k per unit of ordinary share bringing total dividend for 2016 financial year to ₦2 per unit of ordinary share.
Commenting on the financial results, the Managing Director/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, Mr Segun Agbaje, said that “The Bank’s financial performance in 2016, does not only reflect the resilience of our franchise, it demonstrates the fundamental strength of our businesses to deliver sustainable long-term growth. We successfully navigated the heightened economic uncertainty and regulatory headwinds which dominated the year to deliver a solid performance across all financial and non-financial indices.
He further stated that “We are transforming our organization into a platform for enriching lives by positioning ourselves at the centre of an extended ecosystem that offers our stakeholders, benefits beyond banking. We also remain committed to maximising shareholders’ value and delivering superior and sustainable return, guided by our founding values of hard work, discipline and integrity.
GTBank has continued to report the best financial ratios for a Financial Institution in the industry as revealed by its return on equity (ROE) of 35.96% and cost to income ratio of 40.76% evidencing the efficient management of assets and operational efficiency. Overall, the Bank has enshrined its position as a clear leader in the industry. In recognition of its innovation and hard work, the Bank received over 20 international awards in 2016.