Seylan Bank made a steady start in 2021 by posting a Profit After Tax (PAT) of LKR 1Bn in Q1 2021 amidst macro-economic challenges brought in by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Statement of Financial Performances
Interest income recorded a decline due to the lower interest rates and moderate book growth but net interest margin showed a marginal increase over the corresponding period in 2020 due to lower financing costs.
Net Fee & Commission Income increased marginally to LKR 1.2Bn from LKR 1.0Bn, recording a YoY growth of 17.41% due to enhanced trade and guarantee volumes compared to the previous year.
The Total Operating Income growth of 22.25% predominantly driven by Net gains reported from de-recognition of financial assets which increased to LKR 185.2Mn from LKR 69.6Mn in 1Q 2020 and the other operating income increased by LKR 858.8Mn mainly due to increase in exchange income. On the flip side, trading activities reported a loss of LKR 611.4Mn mainly due to mark to market loss on derivatives which contracted the operating income YoY growth.
Bank recorded an impairment charge of LKR 2.2Bn during the period under review against LKR 1.1Bn reported in 1Q 2020 with a growth of 94.53% attributed to aggressive provisioning policy adopted.
Total Operating Expenses recorded LKR 3.4Bn in 1Q 2021 compared to LKR 3.3Bn in 1Q 2020. The Bank continued to focus on widening the roll-out of lean initiatives and automation across the Bank and rationalising expenditure on key controllable cost lines.
Overall, Bank recorded a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of LKR 1.4Bn against LKR 1.3Bn in 1Q 2020. Similarly, Profit After Tax (PAT) was recorded as LKR 1.0Bn against LKR 0.9Bn reported in 1Q 2020.
Statement of Financial Position
Bank achieved the LKR 562.7Bn Total Assets as of 31 March 2021, resulting 0.90% growth compared to the 31 December 2020.
Loans and advances portfolio of the Bank recorded a marginal growth of 1.51% to LKR 399.7Bn during the 1Q 2021 amidst of challenges faced. The growth in credit was driven primarily by Term Loans, and retail products such as Leasing, Pawning etc.
NPL ratio improved marginally to 6.39% against 6.43% reported as at last year end. Bank is continuously monitoring and strengthening the recovery process in order to bring under control and minimize the impact of the NPL.
The overall deposit base recorded a marginal growth of 1.28% to LKR 445.9Bn by 1Q 2021 compared to LKR 440.3Bn. Bank’s CASA ratio (Current and Savings) stood 34.52%.
Key financial ratios and indicators
Seylan Bank remained soundly capitalised, with the key capital adequacy ratios well above the regulatory minimum requirements and recorded 11.02% as the Bank’s Common Equity Tier 1 (CET 1) Capital Ratio/Total Tier 1 Capital Ratio and 13.59% as the Total Capital Ratio.
Bank maintained its liquidity position above the required minimum ratios, during the quarter under review. The Statutory Liquid Asset Ratio (SLAR) for the Domestic Banking Unit and the Foreign Banking Unit were maintained at 29.84% and 22.80% respectively as at end of first quarter 2021.
The Return on Equity (ROE) stood at 8.20% for the period under review, compared to 6.43% recorded in 2020. The Return (before tax) on Average Assets (ROAA) recorded as 1.00% in 1Q 2021.
Earnings per Share (EPS) in 2021 stood at LKR 1.88, a slight increase compared to the LKR 1.69 recorded in the comparative year, while net assets value per ordinary share recorded at LKR 91.92 (group LKR 95.23).
Successful and oversubscribed Debenture issue of LKR 6.0Bn endorsed and demonstrated the confidence placed in the Bank by the investors.