Murad Ali Murad, Chairman of BBK Board of Directors, announced that the bank’s board of directors has reviewed and approved the financial results for the six months ended 30th June 2012.
The bank’s balance sheet witnessed a rapid growth of 13.2% to stand at BD2.903 billion, compared to BD2.564 billion reported in June 2011. The balance sheet growth compared to last year was driven by 14% growth in loans and advances to retail and corporate customers, increasing total loans to BD1.460 billion. Non trading investment assets have also increased by 49% to reach BD695 million. Customer deposits have grown by 15% to reach BD2.065 billion, maintaining comfortable liquidity levels, with loans to deposits ratio at 62.1%.
“We are satisfied with these good results which BBK reported for the first half of 2012. BBK has stood through the financial crisis and has been recording a steady performance over years. We are confident that BBK will continue its prominent performance in the future by adopting flexible strategies that acclimate to changes in the market, and through the ongoing support received from its loyal customer, supportive shareholders, dedicated management, and experienced employees,” Murad Ali Murad Chairman of the Board of Directors, said.
The bank’s positive performance compared to last year was driven by commendable growth in core banking activities, which resulted in an increase in net interest income of 8.8% to reach BD31.4 million, and an increase in fees and commission income of 12.9% to reach BD14.2 million, compared to BD12.6 million for the same period of last year. The bank also reported FX & Investment income of BD5.5 million compared to BD7 million in June 2011, which included BD0.3 million of gain on partial redemption of subordinated debt (current year: nil).
The net profit for the three months ended June 2012 stood at BD 11.3 million compared to BD11.4 million for the same period of last year. Net interest income for the quarter increased by 9.6% to reach BD16.3 million, while other income, including fees and commission and FX and investment income increased by 7.2% to reach BD9.9 million. Provision requirements for the 2nd quarter of 2012 amounted to BD1.9 million, compared to BD0.9 million for the same period of last year.
“The investments in these initiatives beside others resulted in increasing the operating costs to BD24.8 million. Following conservative approach to provisions, the bank has increased its provisions reserve by BD2.4 million, (June 2011: BD 1.9 million).”
“Comprehensive income has increased from BD 21.2 million in June 2011 to BD32.6 million in June 2012; mainly due to improvement in investments valuation reserves, as a result of management strategy to continuously improve and maintain the quality of the investment assets.”