FY 2016 Highlights
Sharjah, UAE, 20th February 2017: United Arab Bank P.J.S.C ("UAB" or "the Bank") reports its Financial Results for the Twelve Months to 31st December 2016.
UAB reported a Net Profit before Provisions of AED489m in 2016 aided by savings in Operating Expenses of 24% against prior year and an Operating Income of AED861m. Notably, 2016 was a year of transition for UAB as the Bank embarked on its journey to become a safer, stronger and sustainable Bank. Central to this Transformation Strategy were four key pillars: pro-actively deleverage higher risk non-core portfolios; reduce costs; enhance the Bank’s risk and control frameworks; and strengthen key banking fundamentals.
With the continuing support of UAB’s Board and alliance partner (The Commercial Bank), the Management Team remain fully committed in completing the Transformation Strategy and ultimately generate sustainable returns for shareholders over the medium term.
Sheikh Faisal Bin Sultan Bin Salem Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said, “Whilst the last 18 months have clearly been a challenging period for the Bank much has been achieved. We have substantially strengthened our Balance Sheet, focused on our core activities, de-risked the business and captured material cost savings through the successful execution of our strategy.
The Board and I are confident that our business plan is appropriate given the economic environment and we are cautiously optimistic as we move into 2017 to conclude our transformation plan.”
Samer Tamimi, Acting Chief Executive Officer, commented: “I would like to thank the Board for their support as the Bank continues along its transformation path. Since taking up the post in Q4 2015 we have had to complete a number of actions to address legacy issues necessary to restore UAB to sustainable profitability. In addition, the Bank is in the final stages of its application to increase its capital in order to support future business plans and provide an adequate risk buffer given forthcoming regulatory changes.
As we move forward, we will continue our focus on improving the core business whilst taking into consideration the increasingly competitive environment and other headwinds faced by all Banks. This only reinforces the need to continue our unrelenting focus on completing our transformation strategy.”
Financial Review
The Bank has continued to record significant progress in proactively deleveraging its ‘non-core’ higher risk portfolios. During 2016, these have been managed down 62% vs. 31st December 2015, whilst overall they have reduced by 73% since 30th September 2015. Consequently, Total Income reduced to AED861m in 2016, down from AED1,196m in FY 2015, although Non-Interest Income streams comprised 26% of Total Income vs. 17% in 2015.
We have streamlined our cost base, capturing savings across the core areas of people, platform, process and property, to deliver a 24% year-on-year saving.
The Bank’s liquidity profile remains strong as evidenced by a robust Loan to Deposit Ratio of 86% compared to 93% in prior year. Customer Deposits (being 81% of Total Liabilities) have and will continue to represent the Bank’s key source of funds.
The Bank’s Provisions for Credit Losses of AED1,011m include a material one-time charge necessary to address legacy issues; consequently, UAB’s full year financial results have been impacted with the Bank reporting a Net Loss of AED523m.
OUTLOOK
Mr. Tamimi concluded, ‘In 2017 UAB is committed to following through its Transformation Strategy with the ongoing support and assistance of our alliance partner, The Commercial Bank. UAB has been able to navigate through this challenging period and moving forward we will continue to focus on core business activities to deliver value for our shareholders.’
For more information please download the PDF here.
To view more UAB news, please click here.
