AmBank Group chief executive officer Datuk Sulaiman Mohd Tahir said: “The potential challenges surrounding geopolitical tensions, global recession, inflation and protracted disruptions to supply chains as well as financial market volatilities remain a concern."
PETALING JAYA: AMMB Holdings Bhd
(AmBank Group), which saw its net profit surge 8.4% in the first quarter ended June 30, 2022 (1Q), says it is in a strong position to weather the global challenges for its current financial year 2023 (FY23).
AmBank Group chief executive officer Datuk Sulaiman Mohd Tahir said in a statement: “The potential challenges surrounding geopolitical tensions, global recession, inflation and protracted disruptions to supply chains as well as financial market volatilities remain a concern.
“The group is in a strong position to weather these uncertain times and capitalise on the opportunities that lie ahead, particularly given our solid liquidity, credit quality and reserve levels.”
There are significant signs of recovery in the country’s economic activities across various sectors supported by firm domestic demand and the recovery charted in the job market, which is encouraging, he said, adding that consumer and investor sentiments continue to improve.
For 1Q, net profit rose 8.4% to RM419.2mil owing to a lower impairment charge.
The banking group recorded lower impairments of RM63.9mil compared with RM203.2mil in the previous year.
Annualised return on equity stood at 10% for the quarter under review.
Earnings per share was at a higher 12.66 sen against 11.86 sen in the comparative quarter.
Revenue, however, was lower at RM1.16bil from RM1.24bil.
Net interest income grew 5.5% year-on-year (y-o-y), while net interest margin was higher at 2.12% (1Q of FY22: 2.08%).
However, volatile market conditions led to lower trading and investment income from treasury and markets and the insurance business, as well as lower fee income from investment banking and wealth management.
Consequently, non-interest income reduced by 28.9% y-o-y.
Gross impaired loan (GIL) ratio was at 1.55% (FY22: 1.40%), with a loan loss coverage ratio of 123.3% (FY22: 139.2%).
The banking group said it was committed to proactive risk management and continued to monitor its asset quality vigilantly, with a heightened focus on its GIL portfolio which is expected to trend up following the tapering of loans under relief schemes.
Gross loans grew by RM132.8mil in the quarter with a visible corporate loan pipeline in 2Q, primarily contributed by growth in mortgages and business banking.
Deposits from customers stood at RM121.4bil.
The group remains highly liquid, with a liquidity coverage ratio of 153% as at June 30, 2022.
For the wholesale banking division, net profit after tax (PAT) increased substantially by 58.9% to RM226.9mil in 1Q.
The retail banking segment saw its net impairment falling 11.2% from RM42.5mil in FY22 to RM37.7mil, resulting in an 8.8% increase in PAT to RM146.3mil.
Business banking profitability was up by 3.9% to RM69mil while Islamic banking saw profit after taxation and zakat increasing by 37.4% to RM100.3mil.
