Coronation Merchant Bank reports 14% increase in PBT to N5.09bn

Coronation Merchant Bank Limited on Thursday announced a profit after tax of N5.09 billion for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2019.

The profit after tax represents a growth of 14 per cent when compared with N4.48 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2018.

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Its total assets also grew by 14 per cent to N253.35 billion from N222.78 billion in 2018.

Loans and advances to customers were up 34 per cent to N72.68 billion during the period compared with N54.3 billion achieved in 2018.

Also, customer deposits rose by nine per cent to N138.08 billion in 2019 in contrast with N126.90 in 2018.

Its shareholders’ funds increased by 11 per cent to N34.57 billion against N31.15 billion in the comparative period of 2018.

Commenting on the financial results, the bank’s acting Managing Director, Mr Banjo Adegbohungbe lauded the performance during the review period in spite of the harsh operating environment.

“Despite the volatility of our operating environment, we navigated the headwinds that dominated the year to deliver a modest performance in our financial results.

“We will continue to actively partner with our customers to support their aspirations and deliver sustainable returns whilst being guided by our values of leadership, innovation and integrity”, Adegbohungbe said.

He stated that non-interest income grew by 64 per cent, mainly driven by trading income.

Adegbohungbe noted that the bank took advantage of the market volatility and increased market penetration in fixed income trading in the year.

He said the bank fully divested from its subsidiaries, returning its focus to its core strength of banking.

According to him, this divestment is expected to free up additional capital and increase shareholders’ value.

He said that operating expense declined moderately due to effective cost-saving initiatives implemented by the organisation.

“The bank was able to curtail the Year on Year operating expense which dipped by one per cent despite prevalent double-digit inflation.

“The bank’s risk assets recorded an increase of 34 per cent, mainly attributable to the need to aggressively cover the earning asset gap in the face of declining yields and to ensure continued compliance with regulatory measures to improve lending,” he added.