Emirates NBD’s profit more than doubled to a record AED6 billion ($1.634 billion) in the first quarter of 2023, demonstrating the success of the group’s diversified business model and a healthy regional economy.
This is also a record quarter for income which exceeded AED10 billion for the first time ever.
The exceptional increase in profit reflects higher margins, growing non-funded income and a lower cost of risk on significant recoveries, the bank said.
Healthy sector liquidity helped deposits grow by AED35 billion or 7% including a further AED19 billion increase in Current and Savings Accounts, supporting a 3% increase in lending and impressive asset growth. Credit quality improved due to substantial recoveries reflecting the region’s growing economy with impairment charge down 66%. Every business unit delivered higher income and improved profitability, it said.
"We have launched new digital products and services and recharged our strategy within our international footprint to deliver future growth," it added.
Key Highlights – First Quarter 2023
* 119% profit growth on higher margins, improved deposit & loan mix and substantial recoveries
* Net profit of AED6 billion up by an outstanding 119% y-o-y and 54% q-o-q
• Total income up 64% to AED10.5 billion on excellent deposit mix with higher interest rates feeding through to margins and strong growth across all business segments and products
• Net interest margin rose significantly by 145 basis points y-o-y to 4.05%
• Impairment allowances substantially down 66% y-o-y on successful recoveries as coverage ratio increases to 152%
• Credit Quality improved with NPL ratio 0.4% lower q-o-q at 5.6% enabling improved credit quality guidance
• Customer loans up an impressive 3% in Q1-23 with highest ever retail disbursements across conventional and Islamic retail franchise coupled with strong new corporate lending
• Deposit mix is a key strength. Deposits grew 7% or AED 35 billion in Q1-23 including a beneficial AED 19 billion increase in Current and Savings Accounts, demonstrating our effective deposit gathering strategy and low cost of funds
• Earnings per share up significantly by 117% to 93 fils, underlying up 159%
• Total assets up 5% at AED782 billion
• Capital and Liquidity 187% Liquidity Coverage Ratio and 15.8% Common Equity Tier-1 ratio reflect the Group’s solid balance sheet, used to empower customers and create opportunities to prosper
• Expenses well controlled, as the group recharges international strategy with effective progress in broadening international branch network and accelerates investment in Digital and Data to drive future growth
• Growing regional presence helping drive significant income growth across our international footprint
• Egypt appointed a new CEO and CFO to recharge Egyptian growth strategy
• Growing market share with strongest ever quarter for retail lending with over AED8 billion of retail loan disbursements in Q1-23 and over 144,000 new credit cards issued
• Local currency issuance. The group became the first issuer of Dirham bonds and sukuks, following the Ministry of Finance’s development of local yield curve
• Global Custody Services was launched by Emirates NBD Capital on DFM and ADX, providing regional and overseas clients with secure and efficient safekeeping of their assets across multiple geographies
• Instant trading on ADX. Emirates NBD Securities provides digital onboarding and instant trading access to ADX’s listed companies
Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, Vice Chairman and Managing Director said: “Emirates NBD’s profits more than doubled to a record AED6 billion in the first quarter of 2023, reflecting the success of the group’s diversified business model and a healthy regional economy. As a leading bank in the region, we are fully aligned with Dubai’s commitment to continue developing and stimulating entrepreneurship, attracting more foreign investment and consolidating Dubai’s position as a land of opportunity and innovation.
"Emirates NBD and Emirates Islamic are proud to be the first issuers of dirham bonds and sukuks, following the development of a local yield curve, facilitating capital market access in local currency for UAE corporations," he said.
In response to February’s tragic earthquake in Turkey, Emirates NBD Group immediately donated 350 million Turkish Lira to the relief effort and is also providing deferral support to affected customers, he added.
Shayne Nelson, Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “Emirates NBD delivered record quarterly income for the first quarter of 2023 as total income grew 64% to AED10.5 billion on increased transaction volumes and improved margins from an efficient funding base and higher interest rates.
"We also delivered a record AED6 billion quarterly profit on the back of higher income and a substantially lower cost of risk aided by significant recoveries, the highest ever quarterly profit delivered by a UAE bank.
"Q1-23 is the strongest ever quarter for retail lending with over 144,000 new credit cards issued and over AED8 billion of retail loan disbursements," he said.
"We have recharged our strategy within our international footprint to deliver future growth.” -TradeArabia News Service
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