NATIONAL BANK RECORDS KSHS. 106 MILLION PROFIT IN QUARTER ONE

National Bank of Kenya has announced an after tax profit of Kshs.  106 million for the period ending March 31, 2019.

This represents 138% increase in profitability from the loss position in quarter one 2018 which was occasioned by a one-off exceptional item. The profit is mainly attributed to growth in operating income.

Customer deposits increased to Kshs. 89 billion compared to Kshs.  86 billion in quarter one 2018 as the bank’s  strategy of driving business growth through enhanced mobile offering, diaspora as well as micro, small and medium enterprises ( MSMEs)  continued to bear fruit. This supported an improved liquidity position which was 40.4% compared to 29.9% in 2018.

The bank emerged the second runners up in the Most Customer Centric Banks in Kenya category during the 14th annual banking awards by Think Business. National Bank has been on an upward trajectory on service excellence. The bank has consistently been recognized and won customer service excellence awards since 2015 by different sectoral bodies such as the Institute of Customer Excellence – Kenya (ICX-K), Kenya Bankers Association and Think Business.

Net loans and advances reduced to Kshs.  45 billion compared to Kshs.  51 billion the          previous year over the same period on reduced volumes of new loans issued and  collections made on existing loans. The slowdown is based on the capital limitation.

Operating income for the period was Kshs.  2.2 billion, a 26% increase from Kshs.  1.7 billion recorded in the same period the previous year mainly due to improved funding mix, recoveries from non performing loan (NPL) book and interest earning assets.

“This is in line with our strategy of improving our net interest margin by lowering the cost of funding and accelerating recoveries and remediation of the NPL book,” said National Bank Managing Director and CEO Wilfred Musau.

“We continue to deliver on our promise to our customers by ensuring that we offer them excellent services at their convenience. This is evidenced by the increased customer deposits, awards and recognitions that the bank is receiving,” Added Mr. Musau.

Operating expenses reduced marginally by 3% year on year to Kshs. 1.712 billion from Kshs.  1.764 billion. Going forward,  the bank is mainly focusing on retail & MSME segments through enhancement of existing products and strategic partnerships.