DFCC Bank profit after tax up 34-pct in 2017 amid tight margins

DFCC Bank continued to demonstrate positive momentum across businesses in 2017 as a rapidly growing commercial bank completing its second year after the amalgamation. Despite a backdrop of higher taxes, volatile interest rates, tight margins and intensifying competition, the Bank closed the financial year ended 31 December 2017 with a profit before tax of LKR 5,792 million a growth of 31% and profit after tax of LKR 4,415 million a growth of 34% over the year ended 31 December 2016. The Bank’s net interest income rose by 27%, to LKR 11,343 million improving the net interest margin from 3.3% in 2016 to 3.6% in 2017. In addition, the Bank’s net fee and commission income grew by 22% to LKR 1,591 million, while it recorded a growth in most of its income segments with a 25% increase in total operating income year-on-year. The successful blending of development and commercial banking has resulted in an unique commercial banking institution with a distinct development banking bias as a consequence of DFCC being the oldest development bank in Asia and a pioneer in the country’s development projects. DFCC has been recognised by S&P and the international rating outlook has been revised to “stable” from “negative” while maintaining our rating at B/B. This was closely followed by Fitch who also upgraded DFCC’s international and long term outlook from “negative” to “stable” while maintaining the rating at B+ and AA- respectively. During a year within which the bank had to face many challenges, this is a very significant achievement. It was a year in which DFCC excelled due to the mix of complementary strategies that were employed. The upward trend in key numbers is especially noteworthy. The Bank’s financial position saw the total assets of the Bank grow by LKR 43,047 million (15%) during year 2017 mainly from LKR 27,891 million growth in loans and receivables. Total loans and receivables was LKR 213,676 million compared to LKR 185,785 million as at 31st December 2016. The Bank’s deposit base reported a substantial increase of 38% from LKR 140,514 million in 2016 to LKR 193,308 million in December 2017. The Bank’s low cost deposits (CASA) ratio increased to 21.3% from 20.2% in 2016. This was aided by a successful drive to increase the current and savings base in the retail banking space with a range of innovative products and services, an aggressive sales force and an expansion of delivery channels which contributed to enhanced business volumes. During the year, the Bank relocated many branches to more customer friendly locations with enhanced facilities. The Bank’s CASA deposits increased by LKR 9.4 Bn during the 4th quarter whilst the Bank continued to enjoy long term concessionary credit lines which improved the ratio from 21.3% to 30.1% as at December 2017. The Net loss from financial instruments at fair value through profit and loss from other operating income increased mainly due to the marked to market impact and volume increase in foreign currency swaps year-on-year, which is managed through the higher interest income from increased lending of advances funded through swaps. The Bank’s impairment charge has increased by LKR 239 million (26%) over the previous year mainly due to the growth in loan portfolio. The Bank’s non-performing advances (NPA) ratio as at 31st December 2017 improved to 2.77% compared to 2.97% in December 2016. Due to the prudent recovery processes implemented and close monitoring, the Bank has been able to contain the build-up of non performing advances. The incremental cost that had to be incurred for above business growth contributed to a 15% increase in operating expenses which were a result of the amalgamation synergies required for investments in people, IT and branch expansion. Careful monitoring and effective cost control measures adopted along with additional revenues generated during the year helped the Bank to record a lower cost to income ratio of 41.1% in 2017 compared to 44.7% in the previous year. The Bank’s return on assets (ROA) before tax improved to 1.9% by December 2017 from 1.6% in December 2016, while the return on equity (ROE) increased by 27% to 9.4%, from 7.4% in December 2016. The Bank has comfortably met minimum capital requirement ratios under Basel III which came in to effect from 1st July 2017. As at 31 December 2017, the Group’s Tier 1 capital adequacy ratio stood at 13.09% while the total capital adequacy ratio stood at 16.53%. DFCC Bank recorded Tier 1 and total capital adequacy ratios of 12.68% and 16.13% respectively. The ratios are well above the minimum regulatory requirements of 7.25% and 11.25%. Despite an additional head count and an increase in overhead expenses, net profit per employee rose by 25% over the previous year. Banking industry faced many challenges during the year both from business and regulatory fronts. The adverse weather conditions and adverse economic conditions due to lower GDP environment prevailed during the year became constraints for the growth in equity. The minimum capital requirements became more stringent with the adoption of BASEL III during the year. The full year impact of the increase in Financial Vat rate by 4% (introduced in May 2016) was felt in the year 2017. Board of Directors, having considered above external factors and the growth plan of the bank has approved a dividend of LKR 5.00per share for the year ended 31 December 2017. The Bank’s 62nd Annual General Meeting is scheduled to be held on 28th March 2018. Lakshman Silva Director/Chief Executive Officer