NTB posts Rs 1.9 b post-tax profit

Nations Trust Bank (NTB) closed the nine months ending September 30, 2014 with a post-tax profit of Rs.1,987 million recording a growth of 24% over the corresponding period in 2013. The quarterly performance was commendable too, with a post-tax profit growth of 35% over the previous period.

Revenue growth of 24% for the nine months was driven by net interest income growth of 19% and higher trading income attributed to foreign exchange realised and M2M gains arising from the FIS portfolio. Return on equity improved to 21.55% showcasing a well balanced performance.

The year commenced with a lacklustre demand for credit across the industry and mirroring industry performance, the Bank witnessed a sluggish growth in the loan portfolio in the first half of the year which picked up considerably in the present quarter. The loan book recorded a 10% increase for the nine months and a 15% YoY increase. The reduction in interest rates saw asset and liability yields declining.

However, the drop in cost of deposits outweighed the drop in loan yields thereby contributing to improved NIMs. The Bank relentlessly pursued strategies to improve the mix in high yielding assets while pushing for growth in low cost deposits.