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29 March 2024

Finance House profit jumps 20.4%

Published
By Staff

Abu Dhabi-based Finance House Group net profit for 2012 rose 20.4 per cent to Dh72.2 million compared to Dh60 million.

Total assets grew to Dh3.72 billion, registering a steady increase of six per cent over Dh3.51 billion as at December 31, 2011.

The board has recommended a cash dividend of 20 per cent, subject to regulatory approvals.

Mohammed Abdulla Alqubaisi, Chairman of Finance House, said: “Despite challenging market conditions and a tighter regulatory framework, we are proud to maintain our profitable stance for the eighth successive year since inception. For a genuine private sector enterprise operating in the fiercely competitive UAE financial services sector, this is a creditable achievement indeed”.

During the year, customer deposits grew by a robust 16.5 per cent to reach Dh1.80 billion compared to Dh1.55 billion as at the end of the previous year.

“This is a remarkable achievement and bears testimony to the continued confidence that the market places in Finance House”, Alqubaisi added.

Net Interest Income from core business activities grew by 1.6 per cent to Dh122.2 million in 2012 compared to Dh120.3 million in 2011. Despite robust growth in loan book during the year, increase in net interest income was only marginal, mainly due to lower interest earned on inter-bank placements where interest rates remained subdued throughout 2012 in comparison to 2011.

Net Fee and Commission income from core business activities registered a healthy growth of over 21 per cent, increasing to Dh28.9 million in 2012 from Dh23.8 million in 2011.

Loans and advances as at December 31, 2012 grew by 14 per cent to Dh1.38 billion compared to Dh1.21 billion at the end of the previous year. At the same time, Islamic financing and investing assets also registered a healthy growth of over 13.7 per cent to reach Dh78.3 million as at 31 December 2012.

“Our loans to deposits ratio as of 31 December 2012 stood at a healthy 80.8 per cent compared to 82.5% in the previous year, reflecting both our cautious approach to loan book growth and the significant head room available for sustained loan book growth in 2013 and beyond”, said Alqubaisi.

The Group’s bad debt provisioning policy continues to be conservative and as of December 31, 2012, it maintains loan loss coverage of 81% (2011:74%) by way of specific provisions to cover net exposure against individually impaired loans and loan balances that are past due for 91 days or more but are not impaired. In addition to the above, collective provision of 1.25% of the Performing Portfolio is also maintained.

The Group’s well diversified proprietary investment portfolio has also made a significant positive contribution to boost the Group bottom line in 2012.

Total operating expenses were higher in 2012 compared to 2011 mainly on account of hiring new employees and higher establishment costs, in line with increased business volumes across all business segments. Despite higher operating expenses, the Cost/Income ratio improved by 4.5% in 2012 compared to 2011.

Commenting on its Liquidity position, Alqubaisi SAID: “FH Group continues to manage its liquidity in a prudent manner. Since the onset of the financial crisis in October 2008, we have remained net lenders to the UAE inter-bank market and continue to maintain this position till date. Cash and cash equivalents as at December 31, 2012 stood at Dh599 million compared to Dh526 million as at the end of the previous year, representing a healthy 16% of total assets”.

Shareholders’ equity as at 31 December 2012 improved to Dh651 million and the Capital adequacy ratio stood at a robust 26.6%, providing a solid footing for accelerated future growth.

Looking ahead, Alqubaisi concluded: “We look forward to 2013 with renewed optimism for sustained profitable growth, in line with improving economic conditions- locally and globally. Our strategy is sound and we have the necessary mechanisms and structures in place to exploit profitable opportunities, to adapt quickly to changing market conditions, to continue managing risks well and to maximize returns for our shareholders”.