Sterling Bank’s net interest income rises by 42%

DESPITE the difficult macro-economic environment that characterised the 2016 fiscal year, Sterling Bank Plc, has posted a profit before tax of six billion naira on gross earnings of N111.4 billion during the financial year ended December 31, 2016.

Financial highlight of the statement submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE)on Thursday, indicated that the bank’s net interest income increased by 41.6 per cent to N56 billion in 2016 as against N39.5 billion of the penultimate year on account of a 22.5 per cent increase in interest income and a 4.2 per cent increase in interest expense.

Further analysis of the result showed that net loans and advances increased by 38.2 per cent to N468.2 billion from N338.7 billion in FY2015 driven primarily by foreign exchange revaluation, while customer deposits decreased marginally by one per cent to N584.7 billion.

Also total assets, excluding contingent liabilities, increased by 4.3 per cent to N834.2 billion (Dec. 2015: N799.5 billion), while shareholders’ funds stood at N85.7 billion at the close of the financial year.

Commenting on the financial performance, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, Mr Yemi Adeola said 2016 was a difficult year for the Nigerian economy as it was characterized by high inflation, weak oil prices, lower crude oil output and foreign exchange supply shortages. He said these multiple challenges and the various regulatory responses put significant downward pressure on the earnings of banks.

Mr Adeola noted that during the year, the bank successfully deployed the “best in class” core banking application – Temenos T24; grew its active customer base and launched the disruptive, award winning payments solution, ChatPay, as the Bank optimized its traditional electronic channel offerings.

He added that these initiatives would enable the Bank to optimize its operating efficiency and position it to exploit emerging business opportunities.

Commenting on the outlook for the Bank under its 2017- 21 Strategic Plan, Mr Adeola said, “We expect that the Government’s fiscal intervention schemes alongside supportive economic policies will create pathways for economic recovery. Over the next five years, we will be steering our ship differently and aggressively growing the retail business through electronic channels.”

The Chief Executive said in a bid to achieve this, the Bank would prioritize efficiency over scale with the goal of achieving steady growth and sustainable returns to all our stakeholders and optimize its cost profile while providing its customers with ‘best in class’ service.

Adeola also said the Bank would bolster innovative banking driven by market insights that would enable it to satisfactorily serve its customers and earn their trust, implement significant investment in technology-led growth initiatives as well as accelerate remarkable growth of its non-interest banking segment.