Banking
QNB Group Raises Net Profit by 6% to $2.8b
By Dipo Olowookere
The largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, QNB Group, has announced its results for the nine months ended September 30, recording the highest in the history of QNB Group.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, net profit increased to QAR10.3 billion ($2.8 billion), up by 6 percent compared to last year, demonstrating QNB Group’s success in maintaining robust growth while controlling costs.
Total assets reached QAR792 billion ($218 billion), up by 11 percent from September 2016, the highest ever achieved by the Group.
This was driven by a growth rate of 14 percent in loans and advances to reach QAR579 billion ($159 billion).
Further, QNB Group’s deposit mobilisation efforts helped increase customer funding by 15 percent to reach QAR574 billion ($158 billion) from September 2016.
This led to the reduction in the Group’s loans to deposits ratio to 100.8 percent, compared with 101.3 percent in September 2016. This clearly demonstrates the success of QNB’s strategy to diversify its funding sources.
QNB Group’s efficiency ratio (cost to income ratio) dropped to 29 percent, from 30.1 percent, due to prudent cost controls and strong revenue generating capabilities.
The Group was able to maintain the ratio of non-performing loans to gross loans at 1.8 percent and coverage ratio reaching 111 percent, which effectively demonstrate high quality of Group’s loan book and robust management of credit risk.
In September 2017, QNB Group successfully completed the issuance of Formosa bonds under its Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) programme and listed on the Taipei Stock Exchange.
Under this programme, a $630 million tranche was issued with a maturity of 30 years callable every 5 years. The issuance was part of QNB Group’s on-going strategy to ensure diversification of funding in terms of type, tenor and geography.
Also the above is an example of a highly diversified international and local funding base spread across various geographies in terms of currencies, tenors and product mix.
During July, QNB Group commenced its operations in the city of Mumbai, the economic capital of the Republic of India. This network expansion comes in support of its vision to become a leading bank in the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia by 2020, in addition to establishing a foothold in highly competitive markets.
Total Equity increased by 2 percent from September 2016 to reach QAR77 billion ($21 billion) as at 30 September 2017. Earnings per Share reached QAR10.7 ($2.95) for the nine months ended 30 September 2017, compared to QAR10.3 ($2.83) last year.
Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) calculated as per the QCB and Basel III requirements stood at 15.4 percent as at 30 September 2017 (18.0 percent including profitability up to 30 September 2017), higher than the regulatory minimum requirements of the Qatar Central Bank and Basel Committee.
Also it should be noted that QNB is now the most valuable banking brand in the MEA region, with the value of its brand increased to $3.8 billion, to rise to the 60th place globally, in addition to attaining the highest rating of AA+ in brand strength, making it the only Qatari banking brand among the world’s top 100.
The total number of staff for the Group is more than 27,800 operating from 1,230 locations and 4,200 ATMs serving more than 21 million customers.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
To strengthen Europe-Africa trade ties, Access Bank has opened a new branch in Malta. It will focus on international trade finance, employing approximately 30 people in its initial phase, with plans for controlled expansion over time.
It was learned that this Maltese branch was established by Access Bank UK Limited, the subsidiary of Access Bank Plc, which is also the subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, which is listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
Access Bank Malta Limited commenced operations after obtaining a banking licence from the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA).
Access Bank said the licence marks a transformative milestone in bolstering Europe-Africa trade flows.
Malta, a renowned international financial centre, and a gateway between the two continents, is strategically positioned to play a pivotal role in advancing commerce and fostering economic partnerships.
This strategic expansion into Malta enables The Access Bank UK Limited to leverage growing trade opportunities between Europe and Africa.
It underscores the organisation’s commitment to driving global trade, financial integration, and supporting businesses across these regions.
“By establishing operations in Malta, we will gain a foothold in a market that bridges European and North African economies, moving us one step closer to our goal of becoming Africa’s Gateway to the World.
“It further enhances our bank’s capacity to support clients with innovative solutions tailored to cross-border trade and investment opportunities,” the chief executive of Access Bank, Mr Roosevelt Ogbonna, stated.
“Europe has emerged as Africa’s leading trading partner, driven by initiatives such as the Economic Partnership Agreements between the EU and African regions and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“With Europe-Africa economic relations entering a new phase, The Access Bank Malta Limited is ideally positioned to deepen trade and meet the financing and banking needs of our clients in these expanding markets,” the chief executive of Access Bank UK, Mr Jamie Simmonds, commented.
Also speaking, the chief executive of Access Bank Malta, Renald Theuma, said, “Malta is uniquely positioned as a bridge between Europe and Africa, making it an ideal location for our subsidiary. This move allows The Access Bank Malta Limited to engage more closely with customers in Europe and deliver tailored financial solutions that drive growth and connectivity across both continents.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Goldman Sachs have announced a new partnership with African banks, including Nigeria’s Zenith Bank and Stanbic IBTC Nigeria to support the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative, a joint programme launched in 2008 to provide access to capital and training for women entrepreneurs globally.
The two Nigerian banks are part of nine financial institutions from across Africa which have agreed to join the 10,000 Women initiative committing to leverage the business education and skills tools the programme provides to create more opportunities for women entrepreneurs across the continent by providing access to business education.
Others banks include Stanbic Bank Kenya, Ecobank Kenya, Ecobank Cote d’Ivoire, Equity Bank Group, Banco Millenium Atlantico – Angola, Baobab Group, and Orange Bank.
Speaking on this, Ms Charlotte Keenan, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs said – “10,000 Women has had a powerful impact to date, but we know that there are more women to reach and more potential to be realized.
“We are delighted to partner with IFC to supercharge the growth of women-owned businesses across Africa, and mainstream lending to female business leaders. We remain committed to supporting entrepreneurs with the access to education and capital that they need to scale.”
Since 2008, the 10,000 Women initiative has provided access to capital and business training to more than 200,000 women in 150 countries.
“This expanded initiative marks a significant step forward in creating equitable economic opportunities for women in Africa, enabling them to build stronger, more resilient businesses and to realize their entrepreneurial goals,” said Ms Nathalie Kouassi Akon, IFC’s Global Director for Gender and Economic Inclusion.
Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women initiative complements the Women Entrepreneurs Opportunity Facility (WEOF), launched in 2014 by Goldman Sachs and IFC as the first-of-its-kind global facility dedicated to expanding access to capital for women entrepreneurs in emerging markets.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
In recognition of its unwavering commitment to fostering access to financing for Nigerian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Development Bank of Nigeria Plc has been rewarded with the Financial Inclusion Leadership Award at the Champions of Inclusion Nigeria Financial Inclusion Awards.
This was at the 2024 International Financial Inclusion Conference (IFIC) organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the World Bank and other stakeholders.
The chief executive of the lender, Mr Tony Okpanachi, said the recognition affirms the company’s efforts in expanding access to financial services for MSMEs in Nigeria.
“We are honoured to receive the Financial Inclusion Leadership Award, which is a testament to our bank’s commitment to expanding access to financial services for all Nigerians. This award recognises our efforts to bridge the financial inclusion gap, particularly for a priority sector like the MSMEs.
“Additionally, this award is a validation of our strategic focus on driving financial inclusion for small businesses, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this initiative that drives that. We will continue to innovate and expand our financial inclusion programmes, ensuring that more Nigerian small and startup businesses have access to services,” he stated.
On his part, the Chief Operating Officer of DBN, Mr Bonaventure Okhaimo, said the accolade demonstrates the firm’s dedication to driving financial inclusion and economic growth in Nigeria.
“This award acknowledges our Bank’s innovative approach to widening opportunities for MSMEs in Nigeria to grow and scale their businesses,” he said.
“This award will motivate us to continue pushing the boundaries of financial inclusion, exploring more innovative solutions and partnerships to expand our reach and impact.
“We are committed to ensuring that more small businesses and startup enterprises in Nigeria have access to financial services, this award will further inspire us to accelerate our efforts in this regard,” he stated.
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