TUE 29 MARCH, 2022-theGBJournal| Ecobank Group Tuesday published its audited FY 2021 result, posting Profit before tax (PBT) of $478 million, an increase of $304 million, or 174%, from 2020. However, if profit before tax is normalised to account for the one-off goodwill charge of $164 million in 2020, the increase in profit before tax is $140 million, or 41%.
The bank also reported Net revenue increase of $77 million (5%) to $1.8bn, reflecting an increase in earning asset balances, cash management, cards, and credit-related fees.
Payments business grew by $39 million (23%) to $208 million (12% of total Group revenue), driven mainly by Omni, card spend volumes, and merchant acquiring transaction volumes.
Customer deposits (EOP) also increased by $1.4bn (8%) to $19.7bn, benefiting from its omnichannel strategy and growth in customers across our digital platforms.
2021 proved to be a transformational year for Ecobank, says Ade Ayeyemi, CEO, Ecobank Group.
“The Bank made significant progress with its strategic priorities and delivered strong business and financial returns. We grew revenues, remained efficient, improved credit quality, strengthened the balance sheet and, for the first time since 2016, our Board has recommended the payment of dividends to shareholders. “
“We increased profit before tax by $140 million to $478 million, after adjusting for the $164 million goodwill charge in 2020 and generated a record return on tangible shareholders’ equity of 19%. Net revenues were $1.8 billion, up 5%, benefiting from our diversified operating model and the continued focus on growing our trade finance, payments, fixed income, currencies, and commodities businesses. Furthermore, the efficiency ratio of 58.9% was the best in over a decade,” Ayeyemi said.
Commenting further on the performance Ayeyemi said; credit quality continues to be particularly strong, with non-performing loans at a historic low of 6.2% of total loans and a reduction in the concentration risk of the credit portfolio.
‘’Moreover, we proactively built provision reserves to above 100% of non-performing loans. In addition, deposit growth was robust,increasing by $1.4 billion, or 8%, which significantly boosted liquidity and supported our modest loan growth. The investments in pivoting Ecobank as a credible enabler of economic activity for households, businesses and governments in Africa strengthened our optimism for 2022 and beyond, while complementing the expectation of a strong global economic recovery following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. “
“However, a word of caution following two critical global setbacks: IMF’s plan to cut global growth forecast, in a high inflation environment with about 60% of low-income countries in or at risk of ‘debt distress’; and Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine. In this mix, African economies hang in the balance as contagion risks spread, US Fed and other developed-world central banks hike interest rates, energy prices soar, and geopolitical tensions exacerbate inflation and supply chain bottlenecks.
Already the reverberations from these developments have forced some central banks in Africa to hike rates, as prices of goods and services soar and currencies are under pressure, all with security implications. In all this turmoil, we at Ecobank remain highly focused on conducting our business responsibly, committed to ESG principles, and discharging our investment in the Ecobank Foundation. We will continue to be aggressive in driving our strategic priorities, leading with technology, and serving our clients and communities. “
Finally, I want to thank all Ecobankers for their unwavering commitment to realising our vision and remaining the bank that Africa and friends of Africa trust.”
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