NBAD records AED 3 Billion Net Profits in 9 Months

National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) – the Safest Bank in the Middle East - achieves a cumulative net profit of AED 2,984 million for the nine months of 2011, 1.1% higher compared to AED 2,951 million earned in the corresponding period of 2010. 

Third quarter profit increased by 12.1% to AED 1,031 million compared with AED 920 million earned in the third quarter of previous year.

The annualised return on shareholders’ funds for the nine months of 2011 is 17.7% in line with the target for 2011.  

H.E. Nasser Alsowaidi, Chairman of NBAD said, “NBAD has delivered healthy profits on the back of strong and prudent balance sheet growth in a year characterised by multiple economic and political challenges. In line with the Government’s plan to provide necessary infrastructure and support to the SME (small and medium sized enterprises) sector, the Bank has undertaken various initiatives to play a leading role in the development of the sector.”  

Mr. Michael Tomalin, Group Chief Executive, commented, “In turbulent and difficult global markets, NBAD has produced another solid result. None of this could have been achieved without the support of our clients and the skills of our people. NBAD’s strategy remains to build organically, widening and strengthening our network, systems and products.” 

Operating Income

Operating income for the nine months reached AED 5,889 million, up 9.9% compared with AED 5,361 million for the corresponding period of 2010. Third quarter’s operating income at AED 2,001 million is higher by 10.4% when compared to the third quarter of 2010. Net interest income and net income from Islamic financing contracts for the first nine months rose 11.6% to AED 4,310 million compared with corresponding period of 2010 while non-interest income was higher by 5.4% at AED 1,579 million.

The net interest margin was 2.53% for the nine months of 2011, marginally higher than 2.51% for the comparable period of 2010. 

Expenses

Operating expenses for the nine months of 2011 were AED 1,805 million, higher by 16.2% compared with the corresponding period of 2010.

The cost to income ratio was 30.7% for the nine months of 2011. The ratio remains below the medium-term cap of 35%.

During the third quarter, the Bank expanded its domestic network to 116 branches & cash offices and six Business Banking centres across the UAE in its ongoing effort to expand its services to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Operating Profits (by business segment) 

The Bank’s various businesses delivered a steady performance contributing operating profits of AED 4,084 million for the nine months of 2011. Year-on-year, the International banking and the Financial markets business achieved a growth of 23% and 31%, respectively. Islamic banking now contributes 3.2% to the operating profits from 1.8% a year ago, reflecting a growth of 85% in its operating profits year-on-year.

Imaprment Charges

The gross impairment charge for the nine months was AED 1,248 million, which after AED 231 million of recoveries reduced to a net charge of AED 1,017 million, comprising of collective provision of AED 257 million, net specific charges of AED 690 million and other provisions for impaired assets of AED 70 million. Net impairment charges were AED 321 million for the third quarter including additional collective provision of AED 87 million.

Collective provision of AED 2,149 million has been maintained in excess of 1.4% of the credit risk-weighted assets, which is in line with Central Bank’s requirement for banks to have a collective provision of 1.5% of credit risk-weighted assets by the end of 2014. NBAD targets to increase this buffer to 1.43% by the end of 2012.

Non-performing loans increased to AED 4,536 million representing 2.83% of the loan book.