By Aduragbemi Omiyale
In the first half of 2022, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc reported a profit before tax of N103.2 billion, 11.0 per cent higher than the N93.1 billion printed in the same period of 2021.
This information was disclosed in the audited consolidated and separate financial statements of the financial institution for the period, which ended on June 30, 2022.
The half-year results submitted to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited and the London Stock Exchange (LSE) on Monday, the company, however, revealed that its post-tax profit shrank to N77.6 billion from N79.1 billion as a result of the N25.7 billion paid as income tax compared with the N13.6 billion paid in the corresponding period of last year.
The loan book (net) of the organisation increased by 1.8 per cent from N1.80 trillion recorded as of December 2021 to N1.83 trillion in June 2022, while deposit liabilities increased by 6.4 per cent from N4.13 trillion in December 2021 to N4.39 trillion in June 2022.
The balance sheet of the firm remained well-structured and resilient with total assets and shareholders’ funds closing at N5.7 trillion and N845.7 billion respectively.
It was observed that full impact Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) stayed very strong, closing at 22.0 per cent, while asset quality was sustained as IFRS 9 Stage 3 Loans ratio and Cost of Risk (COR) closed at 6.2 per cent and 0.2 per cent in June 2022 from 6.0 per cent and 0.5 per cent in December 2021, respectively.
Analysis of the top-line of the results by Business Post indicated that the gross earnings expanded to N239.3 billion from N207.9 billion, with fee and commission income rising to N46.5 billion from N38.3 billion and the other income retreating to N22.0 billion from N25.9 billion.
In the period under review, personnel expenses of GTCO grew to N18.5 billion from N17.2 billion, while the other operating costs surged to N63.6 billion from N54.3 billion.
To show appreciation to shareholders, the company is proposing the payment of an interim dividend of 30 Kobo per ordinary share, subject to the deduction of withholding tax.
“Our results show an increase in key revenue lines and a strong performance in other financial metrics which reinforce our growth prospects as a leading financial services company.
“Our priority at the start of the 2022 financial year was to bring the group’s new businesses on-stream, starting strong with a focus on long-term viability.
“At present, we have successfully expanded our financial services ecosystem to include HabariPay Ltd, Guaranty Trust Fund Managers Ltd, and Guaranty Trust Pension Managers Ltd, and all of them are P&L positive,” the Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO, Mr Segun Agbaje, said.
He further stated that, “These newly created businesses will operate alongside our flagship banking franchise to offer increased value to our growing customer base as well as other stakeholders.
“We will continue to build on our core strengths of service excellence, innovation, and flawless execution to deliver our corporate objectives for the year and further our vision of being Africa’s leading financial services institution.”
Dipo Olowookere 
Modupe Gbadeyanka