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Businessuite 2020 Top 10 Guyana Chief Executive Officer – % change US$ Profit after Tax |
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NR |
NR |
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US$000 |
US$000 |
2020 |
2020 |
2019 |
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Company |
Chief Executive Officer |
2020/2019 |
2019/2018 |
% Change |
1 |
5 |
GY |
Citizens Bank Guyana Inc. |
Eton M. Chester |
$4,722 |
$3,005 |
57.15% |
2 |
1 |
GY |
Demerara Distillers Ltd. |
Komal R. Samaroo |
$18,716 |
$16,356 |
14.43% |
3 |
3 |
GY |
Banks DIH Ltd. |
Clifford Barrington Reis |
$25,798 |
$22,856 |
12.87% |
4 |
2 |
GY |
Republic Bank Guyana Ltd. |
Nigel M. Baptiste |
$16,803 |
$15,635 |
7.47% |
5 |
4 |
GY |
Guyana Bank for Trade & Industry Ltd. |
Richard Isava |
$7,149 |
$7,225 |
-1.05% |
I am pleased to report that for the just concluded financial year ended September 30, 2020, Citizens Bank Guyana Inc recorded profits after taxation of $982.2 million, an increase of $26.9 million or 2.8% over the prior year.
Earnings per share increased to $16.5 dollars compared to $16.1 in 2019, while our book value per share increased by 8.5% to $170.06 as at September 30, 2020 from $156.7 at September 30, 2019.
During the year we were able to achieve key strategic objectives in terms of growth in loans, deposits, total assets, revenue and shareholders’ equity.
The Bank’s return on average assets, a key indicator of the utilisation of our assets, was 1.7% compared to 1.8% in 2019.
The return on average equity, a key measure of return on our capital employed, was 10.1% compared to 10.6% in 2019.
Net interest income was $2.8 billion compared to $2.5 billion for the prior year, representing an increase of $0.3 billion or 12.0%. Increases in our loan portfolio and the correspondent increase in interest income is the primary contributor to the growth in our net interest income. Interest income remains the single most significant contributor to the bank’s revenue accounting for 85.4% compared to 82.3% for the prior year.
Other income amounted to $547.5 million compared to $606.8 million for the prior period; a decrease of $59.3 million or 9.8%. on account of the waiving of various transaction fees as part of our COVID-19 customer support program.
Earnings from foreign currency transactions, the single most significant contributor to other income; accounting for 40.3% of total other, was $220.4 million compared to $222.6 million for the prior period.
Net operating income increased by $0.3 billion or 9.7% to $3.4 billion compared to $3.1 billion recorded in 2019.
Non-interest expenses, which include personnel costs and other operating expenses amounted to $1.586 billion compared to $1.511 billion, an increase of $75.0 million.
Increases in employees’ emoluments and other staff cost, inflationary increase in goods and services, general administrative expenses, and the payment of $64.7 million towards the Deposit Insurance Fund contributed to the increase in noninterest expenses.
We continued to make efficient use of our resources and controlling operating expenses within the company.
Net impairment on financial assets amounted to $123.1 million compared to a net recovery of $39.0 million in 2019. Total reserves for loan losses amounted to $1.3 billion compared to $1.2 billion. The increase is due primarily to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on customers operations.
The general banking risk reserve, which represents statutory and other loss provisions that exceed the impairment provision, amounted to $128.9 million compared to $291.4 million at September 30, 2019.
The Bank reviews all financial assets in accordance with IFRS 9, which requires a forward-looking approach in determining our expected credit loss (ECL), thus the allowance is based on the probability of default in the next twelve months, unless there is an increase in credit risk since origination. Details are included in the applicable notes to the financial statements.
During Financial Year 2020 Citizens Bank completed the upgrade to its e-banking service and card management system bringing greater convenience to our customers.
Our bill payment application is now ‘more user friendly’ and we have expanded the number of merchants. Customers can now access their monthly statement online via our e-banking application where statements, including images of cheques processed, can be viewed, downloaded or printed two (2) business days after the applicable month-end.
Citizens Bank will have to continue the management of its expenses and ensure robust risk management, including asset quality maintenance. While focus remains on these two (2) critical areas to ensure that the growth and stability of the company continues, attention will be placed on Human Resource development and management, and continued good corporate governance and the utilisation of technology.
The Guyana economy is projected to grow by 8.1% during fiscal 2021, buoyed by the oil and energy sector with oil production having commenced in December 2019.
However, while competition amongst lending financial institutions will intensify, lending opportunities will materialise both in the energy sector and traditional sectors as the government pushes forward with expansive development projects.
Construction of a new state-of-the-art building to relocate our Thirst Park branch will continue, while construction of our ‘new’ Bartica branch will commence bringing much needed improvement to the delivery of service to our customers and future benefits for stakeholders.
During the first quarter of 2021, we will commence the issuance of our contactless Visa debit and credit cards respectively, while our upgraded automatic telling machines (ATMs) will join the national switch. We will continue to seek ways to expand our digital platform to further enhance our customers’ experience through value-added options at their convenience.
We are cautiously optimistic that the local economy will expand in fiscal 2021 and are confident that we have aligned our strategies and resources to deliver positive results to our shareholders, customers, employees and the communities in which we operate in the coming year.
Extracted from the Managing Director Report
Mr. Eton M. Chester, A.A., O.D.
Managing Director
More information https://www.citizensbankgy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/CitizensBankAR2020web.pdf