NBF is pleased to announce its results today for the three month period ended 31 March 2023.

Highlights:

 NBF recorded year-on-year growth of 151.8% to close the three month period at a net profit of AED 152.0 million compared to AED 60.4 million in the corresponding period of 2022. This demonstrates the bank’s enhanced focus on quality business, an efficient funding base and improving resilience facilitated by notable local growth despite the uncertain geopolitical conditions and global environment.

 Supported by higher net interest income and net income from Islamic financing and investment activities and fee income, NBF posted an operating profit of AED 397.9 million for the three month period, a rise of 35.7% compared to AED 293.2 million in the corresponding period of 2022 and up 30.9% quarter-on-quarter.

 Operating income reached AED 554.1 million, up 34.2% compared to AED 412.8 million in the corresponding period of 2022 and up 12.0% compared to Q4 2022 reflecting the robust core business performance, good levels of activity and enhanced asset and liability management in a rising interest rate environment.

 Net interest income and net income from Islamic financing and investment activities, up 69.4% and net fees, commission and other income, up 6.6% compared to the corresponding period of 2022, reaching AED 404.1 million and AED 112.8 million respectively; and experienced a growth of 10.5% and 24.5% respectively compared to Q4 2022.

 Foreign exchange and derivatives income stood at AED 40.1 million compared to AED 47.1 million in the corresponding period of 2022 and up 3.3% compared to Q4 2022.

 Operating expenses increased by 30.7%, reflecting NBF’s investments in its businesses, systems, infrastructure and people. These investments include a set of digital initiatives to further enhance our focus on exceptional customer service through digital adoption and innovation. Nevertheless, NBF’s cost-to-income ratio improved to 28.2% compared to 29.0% in the corresponding period of 2022. This provides ample headroom to continue investing in our technological capabilities and enhancing the customer experience going forward.

 NBF maintained its policy of prudent and transparent recognition of problem accounts taking into consideration the new credit risk standards being introduced by the Central Bank of the UAE and the risk of global recession. NBF secured net impairment provisions of AED 245.8 million for the three month period ended 31 March 2023 compared to AED 232.9 million in the corresponding period of 2022. During the period, the bank’s impairment reserve reduced by 1.8% to AED 165.1 million compared to AED 168.2 million as at 31 December 2022. Total provision coverage ratio improved to 110.2% compared to 101.5% as at 31 December 2022. The NPL ratio improved to 5.9% compared to 6.9% as at 31 December 2022 as the bank successfully progressed in the resolution of few exceptional exposures.

 Loans and advances and Islamic financing receivables rose by 2.3% to reach AED 27.5 billion compared to AED 26.9 billion at 2022 year-end, up by 1.2% from 31 March 2022. 

 Investments and Islamic instruments increased by 12.7% to reach AED 7.2 billion compared to AED 6.3 billion at 2022 year-end, up by 97.1% from 31 March 2022 evidencing the deployment of a portion of liquidity towards a high-quality investment book offering good risk-to-return as well as access to market liquidity. 

 The capital adequacy ratio (CAR) stood at 18.0% (Tier 1 ratio of 16.8% and CET 1 ratio of 13.2%) compared to 18.6% (Tier 1 ratio of 17.4% and CET 1 ratio of 13.6%) at 2022 year-end and is being maintained at this level to support the bank’s ability to grow and to meet any challenges that may arise from the evolving global economy. 

 Customer deposits and Islamic customer deposits stood at AED 34.8 billion compared to AED 35.7 billion at 2022 year-end, up by 8.3% from 31 March 2022. Current and Saving Accounts (CASA) deposits stood at 43.2% of total customer deposits softening the impact of increasing rates for fixed term products on deposit costs.

 Total assets remained stable at AED 47.5 billion compared to AED 47.6 billion at 2022 year-end, up by 11.5% from 31 March 2022.

 Ample liquidity has been maintained with lending to stable resources ratios at 75.1% (2022: 72.1%) and eligible liquid assets ratio (ELAR) at 22.8% (2022: 24.9%), well ahead of Central Bank of the UAE’s minimum requirements.

 Return on average assets improved to 1.3%, up from 0.6% for the corresponding period in 2022.

 Return on average equity improved to 10.2%, up from 4.2% for the corresponding period in 2022.

Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, Deputy Chairperson said:

“We are pleased to see an impressive start to 2023 with a robust set of results for the first quarter supported by the relatively buoyant business environment and the government’s commitment to diversifying the UAE’s economy. Likewise, NBF’s staunch focus on quality growth in supporting our customer’s business across all principal segments, improvement in asset quality and proactive management of investment portfolio enabled it to achieve a strong overall financial performance. 

Despite the uncertain global landscape dominated by significant geopolitical developments, lingering inflationary pressures exacerbating growth concerns and the recent stress seen in the global financial system, the UAE has progressed well on the back of the government’s efforts and disciplined approach helped by significant hydrocarbon demand as the energy transition unfolds at various speeds across the globe. This was evidenced by the UAE achieving an exceptional 7.9 per cent GDP growth in 2022; and it is anticipated to continue growing at a steady pace.

NBF is well positioned to gain from this growth and has built the platform for enhanced value creation aided by its robust capital and liquidity position, digitally enabled bank strategy for better servicing client needs, prudent risk and compliance management standards and a sound balance sheet.

NBF’s environmental, social and governance [ESG] approach is in alignment with the sustainability vision of the country and enhanced efforts are being dedicated to benefit from the new opportunities that are arising in this space. We look forward to the NBF franchise continuing to perform with distinction throughout the course of the year and remain confident in its capabilities to navigate the uncertainties with poise and propel future growth.”