Pan Asia Bank achieves a Post Tax Profit of Rs. 2 bn during first 9 months amid challenges – profit for the quarter soars by 89%

Net Interest Income – Rs. 6,669 Mn, up by 23% Net Fee and Commission Income – Rs. 1,256 Mn, up by 41% Other Operating Income – Rs. 274 Mn, up by 40% Operating Profits up by 42% to post Rs. 3,342 Mn Profit before Tax – Rs. 2,718 Mn, up by 46% despite increased prudential provisions.

Key Profitability Indicators are among the best in the industry

– Net Interest Margin improves from 4.41% to 4.81%

– Return on Assets (Pre-tax) improves from 1.70% to 1.96%

– Return on Equity (Post-tax) improves from 14.36% to 16.13%

Loans and Advances book reaches Rs. 143 Bn, up by 9%

Customer Deposits reach Rs. 149 Bn, up by 6%

Net Non-Performing Advances Ratio improves from 2.34% to 1.28%

Total Impairment Provision cover reaches 76.10% due to prudential provisioning

The Bank remains highly liquid and well capitalised – all Liquidity and Capital Ratios are well above the regulatory minimums

Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC reported an impressive performance for the 9 months period ended 30th September 2021 to report a Pre-Tax Profit of Rs. 2,718 Mn and a Post-Tax Profit of Rs. 2,008 Mn with growth rates of 46% and 61% respectively, while demonstrating the resilience amid challenging macro economic conditions. The Bank’s performance was characterised by strength and resilience despite the heightened uncertainty due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 impact on the Sri Lankan economy, the Bank’s Operating Profit before VAT on Financial Services reached Rs. 3,342 Mn with an increase of 42% reflecting the excellence in core banking performance and the success of cost containment measures evidenced by improvement in all key profitability matrices which now rank among the industry bests. This feat was achieved even after setting aside sizable provision buffers for the probable deterioration in credit quality due to COVID-19 pandemic. The Bank increased its provision buffers for loan losses during the 9 months period sensibly taking into consideration of increased risks and uncertainties due to COVID-19 pandemic through experience adjustments and management overlays. As a result, total impairment charge for the 9 months period ended 30th September 2021 increased by 17%.

The Bank’s Net Interest Income (NII) for the period witnessed an increase of 23% due to significant reduction in financial cost of funds at a rate faster than the drop in interest yields of interest earning assets although extension of debt moratoriums to sectors affected by the COVID 19 pandemic had an adverse impact on NII. Consequently, the Bank’s Net Interest Margin for the period improved to 4.81% from 4.41% reported 9 months ago.

In the meantime, the Bank’s Net Fee and Commission Income recorded a growth of 41% with the rebound in demand for credit due to revival of economic activities during the 9 months period amidst the low interest rate regime despite the adverse impact of lockdowns had and waiver of fees and charges mandated by the industry regulator. Meanwhile, the volatility in foreign exchange rates enabled the Bank to increase its Foreign Exchange Income substantially as reflected in Other Operating Income. On the other hand, the aforementioned currency volatility had a negative impact on the Bank’s Net Trading Income due to mark-to-market losses on forward foreign exchange contracts and currency swaps.

The Bank is committed to revenue maximisation and cost management despite sector vulnerabilities that prevailed since last year. The Bank’s Cost-to-Income Ratio improved from 45.66% to 42.19% within the 9 months period owing to the excellence in core banking performance which is reflected in the noteworthy overall growth in key revenue lines and various strategies and measures taken to contain the increase in overhead costs. The cost management culture embedded across the Bank assisted curtailing Other Operating Expenses by 8%. Meanwhile, increased allocations for staff performance bonuses, spending on development of human capital and staff welfare led to an increase in personnel costs during the reporting period compared to previous period despite the reduction in number of staff.