16 August 2012
Standard Bank Group results benefit from its African focus
Standard Bank Group's core businesses performed well in a difficult environment
and are showing good momentum as the group continues to improve its market position
in Africa across many of its key products, segments and geographies.
The results of the first half of 2012 support Standard Bank Group's strategic refinement
to strengthen its focus on Africa. A highlight of the results was the good growth
trajectory being maintained in the group's on-the-ground banks in the rest of sub-Saharan
Africa.
Says Jacko Maree, Standard Bank Group Chief Executive: "Amidst the uncertainty in
the world economy and the continuous upheavals in global banking, our broad financial
product base and our financial strength have served us well."
Results at a glance
- Total income grew by 15%
- Credit impairments increased 35%
- Costs up by 17%
- Resulted in headline earnings growth of 11%
Key statistics
- Return on equity (ROE): 14,5% (HY11: 14,5%)
- Tier I capital adequacy ratio of 11,0% (HY11: 12,4%)
- Dividend per ordinary share: 212 cents (HY11: 141 cents)
- Cost-to-income ratio: 59,1% (HY11: 58,0%)
- Credit loss ratio: 0,98% (HY11: 0,81%)
"Following a reasonable start to the year, the challenges that hampered the global
economy in 2011 intensified in the second quarter, much of this centered on the
Eurozone. It has become clear that 2012 has developed into another difficult year
for the global economy. Investor confidence remains fragile and financial markets
are volatile. This makes for a very challenging operating environment for all banks,"
says Mr Maree.
Personal & Business Banking (PBB) reported headline earnings of R3 194 million
for the six months under review, 33% higher than the prior year. The primary contributors
to the increased headline earnings were income growth in excess of cost growth and
well-priced loan origination. This result reflects the combination of an excellent
result achieved in PBB South Africa which generated headline earnings of R3 250
million, with improving momentum in the Rest of Africa, which reflected a smaller
loss than the same period in the prior year as Standard Bank Group expands its customer
network.
The mortgage business continues to perform well with revenues up by 14% as a result
of steady book growth over the last 18 months and a continued improvement in credit
experience. NPLs reduced by a further R1 billion in the period from December 2011.
Transaction and lending products achieved good growth in income and earnings. Retail
deposits grew 13% in the period, and, together with increased activity levels, provided
good impetus to growth in fee and commission revenue, absorbing the impact of the
price reductions announced in April in certain segments in South Africa. Strong
growth was evidenced in personal term loans, overdrafts and revolving credit facilities
in line with expectations given Standard Bank's focused approach to customer acquisition.
The credit impairment charge for this grouping of unsecured loans more than doubled
and the credit loss ratio was 2,64% for the period, well within pricing assumptions.
Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) experienced a much more difficult operating
environment in the second quarter which put pressure on both revenues and earnings.
Headline earnings of R2.9 billion were 7% below the prior period.
The Transactional Products and Services (TPS) business was the strongest performer
in the period in CIB, with revenues for the first half of the year up 36% on the
prior year comparative. This is a significant result given the core role TPS plays
across the wider CIB franchise. The TPS business in the Rest of Africa is now the
same size (in revenue terms) as the long-standing TPS business in South Africa.
The South African business made a positive contribution with cash management benefiting
from growth in average balances and the trade business experiencing an increase
in exposures with Asian banks.
The Global Markets business saw revenues reduce 5% compared to the prior period
as unfavourable market conditions, driven by the ongoing issues within the Eurozone,
led to a subdued second quarter for the Outside Africa operation. The second quarter
was severely impacted by subdued client activity and tighter margins; which contributed
to revenues being well below the prior period. A positive trading result was achieved
in the Rest of Africa due to higher flow business in foreign exchange at improved
margins.
Investment Banking reported half-year income up 19% on the prior period. In particular
net interest income has risen significantly following the focus on loan book growth
seen towards the end of 2011. Rest of Africa revenues grew off a low base as a result
of increased activity in the period; particularly within Mozambique and Kenya. At
a headline earnings level, the positive revenue performance has been somewhat offset
by increased credit provisions.
Liberty's headline earnings for the six months to 30 June 2012 were up 41%
to R1 797 million. Of these headline earnings, R905 million was attributable to
Standard Bank Group. The first half of 2012 reflected the significant operational
improvements made across the Liberty group. Retail South Africa, which successfully
remedied the policyholder lapse issues over the last few years, has now demonstrated
capability to deliver innovative products and is achieving significant growth in
new business and margin. Liberty's ROE for the period was 23,4%.
Dividends
To achieve a better balance between interim and final dividend, the board has declared
an interim distribution of 212 cents, which represents half of the prior year total.
The dividend has been declared as a cash distribution but with an opportunity to
elect capitalisation shares to provide flexibility for shareholders, given recent
changes to dividend tax in South Africa.
Prospects
Macroeconomic uncertainties are expected to continue to weigh on investor sentiment
and client activity in the second half of 2012 and the group therefore expects revenue
growth to be subdued in CIB in the second half.
The second half of 2012 is also expected to be a more difficult environment for
revenue generation for PBB, given the anticipated endowment impact of the recently
announced rate cut and the full year impact of price cuts in South Africa. The upward
pressure placed on costs as a result of being on an accelerated growth path in certain
of the group's operations, having to overhaul legacy IT systems and increasing regulatory
and compliance pressures, will remain challenging.
Says Mr Maree: "Our group is in good health and our core businesses have good momentum.
We have maintained a strong liquidity and funding profile, asset quality is good
and our strict capital and risk discipline means we are on track to comply with
Basel III next year. We are mindful of the external challenges but believe that
our healthy foundation and our broad product and client base will stand us in good
stead."
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