KCB Group Plc. delivered improved profitability and higher returns to shareholders for the full year ended December 2019, posting a 5% jump in profit after tax to KShs.25.2 billion.
Net earnings increased from KShs. 24 billion in 2018 on the back of loan book growth, non-funded income from the digital banking and cost management initiatives across the business.
Group CEO Review
KCB Group CEO and MD, Joshua Oigara said the business remained resilient despite the challenging economic conditions witnessed in the various markets and the wider global economy.
“The East African region continued to face various downside risks that ranged from adverse weather patterns to stress from currency fluctuations and the pressure from oil imports” he said while releasing the results in Nairobi on Thursday. “All business lines were strong on both funded and non-funded income as cost control, operational efficiency and driving excellent customer experience remained a top priority,” said Mr. Oigara.
Both the Kenya business and the international subsidiaries delivered strong income growth. Acquisition of National Bank of Kenya (NBK)—a transaction that was finalized in the last quarter of 2019— solidified the Group’s base from a revenue and balance sheet position.
Income Growth
Total income increased 17% to KShs.84.3 billion while operating expenses grew much slower by 10%, resulting in an improved cost to income ratio of 45.7%, compared to 48.7% the previous year.
Net interest income expanded 15% to KShs. 56.1 billion from KShs. 48.8 billion primarily due to a 17% growth in loan book, digital lending and additional interest income from NBK. Fees and commissions surged 39% to KShs. 19.8 billion on diversified income streams.
The Digital Bank
Enhanced investments in digital channels pushed non funded income up 22.6% to KShs.28.2 billion from KShs.23.0 billion in 2018.
“Our investments in diversified channels are giving our customers a means to access banking services conveniently, at a competitive prices and in line with our purpose of simplifying their world to enable their progress” said Mr Oigara.
During the year under review, the number of non-bank transactions increased to 97% with a majority of them conducted via mobile devices. Mobile loans advanced increased to KShs. 212 billion from KShs. 54 billion in 2018. The cumulative disbursement via mobile over the past five years totaled to KShs. 319 billion.
Cost Management and Efficiency
At KShs. 38.5 billion, total pre-provision operating expenses were relatively contained due to cost efficiency measures, growing from KShs. 35.0 billion, largely driven by staff costs which went up 13.4% in part due to the acquisition of NBK.
Balance Sheet Growth: The Ksh1 trillion Goal
KCB maintained its lending pattern in 2019, growing assets base despite lower asset yield, observed in the key market—Kenya— due to reduction of the benchmark lending rate.
Total assets surged 26% to KShs.899 billion from KShs. 714 billion in 2018. The key drivers for this growth were the loan book growth of 17 % to KShs
535.4 billion— reflecting the strong lending pipeline primarily driven by retail and corporate banking customer segment—and the customer deposits growth of 28% to KShs. 686.6 billion. The main driver for this growth was acquisition of NBK.
Credit Quality
The ratio of non-performing loans to total loan book increased
to 10.9% (7.4% excl. NBK), well below
the industry average
of 12.0%. As a result,
provisions for impairment increased to KShs. 8.9 billion
from KShs.2.9 billion. The key sectors
driving this deterioration in asset quality were trade, tourism
and manufacturing sectors
within the corporate
banking book and on the mobile loan portfolio.
The stock of NPLs increased to KShs. 63.4 billion (KShs. 38.2 billion excluding NBK) up from KShs 32.7 billion in 2018, following consolidation with NBK.
Shareholder Returns
Overall, the business continued to generate good returns for its shareholders averaging a return on equity of 20.7% in 2019. Shareholders’ equity was up 14.1% from KShs113.7 billion to KShs.129.7 billion.
KCB distributed part of the profit by way of an interim dividend of KShs 1.0 per share in the course of 2019. The KCB Group Board has proposed a final dividend of KShs. 2.5 per share to be presented to shareholders in the Annual General Meeting to be held in May this year.
Capital Position
KCB Group maintained healthy buffers on its capital ratios over the minimum regulatory requirement. All banking subsidiaries met regulatory capital requirement with the exception of NBK which was below total capital requirement. This is expected to be addressed within the first half of 2020 through various initiatives at NBK.
The Group’s core capital as a proportion of total risk weighted assets closed the period at 17.2% against the Central Bank of Kenya statutory minimum of 10.5%. Total capital to risk-weighted assets stood at 19.0% against a regulatory minimum of 14.5%.
Outlook
Last year represented a significant period with the maturity
of the Group’s 2015-2019 Strategic Plan which was anchored on customer experience, network spread, youth agenda, digital financial services, new businesses, robust IT platform,
and strategic partnerships. This year marks the start of our
new 3-year strategic cycle.
Going forward, the business outlook for the year remains positive, with significant gains expected following the removal of the cap on interest rates in November 2019. “The banking sector is seeing heightened regulatory scrutiny, increased competition, amplified adoption of digital banking, and shifting economic environment across the East African region. In the face of these shifts, we have positioned ourselves and tapped into opportunities presented as we navigate past the challenges. We are focused on deepening our contribution towards financial deepening and economic development,” said the KCB Group Chairman, Andrew Kairu
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