The 2022 financials, filed by the bank on the floor of the
Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), showed that despite the highly challenging
global economic and business environment, UBA recorded a laudable profit before
tax, with a 31.2 percent growth, to close the year under review at N200.8
billion, rising from the N153.01 billion recorded at the end of the 2021
financial year.
Its profit after tax (PAT) grew by 43.5 per cent to N170.2
billion in 2022, compared to N118.7 billion recorded the year before.
Consequently, UBA Group Shareholders’ Funds rose to N922.1 billion, as at
December 2022, achieving an impressive growth by 14.6 per cent compared to
prior year. The results showed that the bank’s gross earnings rose
significantly to N853.2 billion, from N660.2 billion recorded at the end of the
2021 financial year, representing a strong 29.2 percent growth.
Total assets rose remarkably by 27.2 per cent, crossing the
N10 trillion mark, to close at N10.9 trillion in December 2022, up from N8.5
trillion in 2021.According to a statement, this was a significant achievement
and milestone in the history of the powerhouse financial institution.
In the year under consideration, UBA Group cost-to-income
ratio dropped to 59.2 per cent, from over 60 per cent in prior year, pointing
at the Group’s improving efficiency.
In its usual tradition of rewarding shareholders, the bank
proposed a final dividend of 90 kobo for every ordinary share of 50 kobo, for
the financial year ended December 31, 2022. The final dividend which is subject
to the ratification of the shareholders during its upcoming Annual General
Meeting (AGM) would bring the total dividend for the year to N1.10 per share,
as the Bank had paid an interim dividend of 20 kobo, based on its audited 2022
half year results.
Also worthy of note, UBA recorded a 21.4 per cent growth in
loans to customers, moving up to N3.4 trillion in 2022, whilst customer
deposits improved by 22.9 per cent to N7.8 trillion, compared to the N6.4
trillion recorded in the corresponding period of 2021. This reflected increased
customer confidence, enhanced customer experience, successes from the ongoing
business transformation programme and the deepening of its retail banking
franchise.
Commenting on the result, the Group Managing Director/CEO,
Oliver Alawuba, said notwithstanding the tight and challenging operating
environment, UBA continues to deliver significant performance.
He added, “The Group delivered record headline earnings
(+29.2%) and profitability (+31.2%) amid significant headwinds in markets where
we are present and a heightened global risk environment.”
Our record earnings, growth, and robust capital levels
supported higher returns for the shareholders.
The Group is on course to achieve its strategic goals, and we are
confident we will deliver our targets.
“We have navigated unprecedented macroeconomic headwinds and
made significant gains in our diversification strategy and Customer 1st
philosophy as we build resilience in our operations across Africa and the Rest
of the World to support the mission of providing superior value to our
stakeholders.
“The Group’s profit after tax increased by 43.5 per cent to
N170.3 billion, with underlying growth in our key income lines and moderation
in our cost of fund, resulting in robust growth of 14.6 per cent in the Group’s
Shareholders’ Funds and stronger liquidity. We continued to sharpen our risk
management structure and practices to align with evolving risks,” Alawuba said.
On the outlook for 2023, Alawuba said, “we are strategically
positioned to increase our market share in our countries of presence, with
expansion to Dubai, United Arab Emirates and strong growth of our digital
banking and payment businesses, which is pivotal to the evolving cashless
economy in Nigeria.
“We strive to deliver increasingly attractive returns to our
shareholders and continued positive impact in the geographies and economies in
which we operate.”
UBA’s Executive Director, Finance and Risk Management, Ugo
Nwaghodoh, said going by this recent performance, the bank remains on strong
footing and is comfortably positioned to take on more opportunities in Nigeria,
Africa and beyond.
“UBA Group’s 2022 full-year performance was buoyed by strong
balance sheet growth and improvement in Net interest margin, as Group’s Total
Assets and customer deposits grew 27.2 per cent and 22.9 per cent respectively,
whilst NIM grew to 5.61 per cent from 5.57 per cent.
The continuous rejigging of the Groups’ risk management
approach resulted in moderation of the NPL ratio, from 3.6 per cent to 3.1 per
cent. The Group continued to rely on
lower cost funds, further reducing its cost funds to 2.1 per cent.
“We are delighted with the strategic progress we have made
in FY22 riding on our customers’ trust, the dedication of our people, and the
support of our wider partners and stakeholders. The bank remains committed to
its business development drive, prudent risk management practices, and we are
optimistic to deliver best value for our stakeholders in the days ahead,” he
noted.
United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African
financial institution, offering banking services to more than twenty-five
million customers, across over 1,000 business offices and customer touch
points, in 20 African countries and across 4 continents.
With presence in the United States of America, the United
Kingdom and France and more recently the United Arab Emirates, UBA is
connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail; commercial and
corporate banking; innovative cross-border payments and remittances; trade
finance and ancillary banking services.
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