(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)Noor Bank today reported record net profits of Dh272million for the first six months ending June 30 2015 up 26% from the same period last year.
During H1 of 2015 Noor Bank successfully closed its inaugural US$500 million five-year sukuk that was oversubscribed by more than 4.3 times mainly from investors in Europe and Asia. At 2.788% the bank achieved one of the lowest ever prices paid out by any sukuk issuer in the UAE. The sukuk will enable Noor Bank to diversify its funding portfolio as part of its ongoing financial strategy and help create a sustainable funding and capital structure. The bank's total assets grew 28% to Dh37.3billion compared with Dh29billion at the start of the year. Meanwhile the return on equity stood at 16.8%. Despite 21% growth in its financing book the bank has been able to reduce its impairment financing ratio to 5.1% with the coverage ratio increasing to 109%. In H1 2015 Noor Bank's consumer finance base grew by 18% - faster than the market growth rate in similar product categories namely cards personal finance and auto financing a testament to the fact that consumers in the UAE are seeing value in the Noor Bank's product offerings. Hussain Al Qemzi CEO Noor Bank said: "In H1 2015 Noor Bank's assets crossed the US$10 billion mark for the first time. With asset and deposit growth of 28% and 24% respectively since December 2014 as well as a 26% growth in its bottom line Noor Bank has emerged one of the fastest growing banks in the region through recording industry leading growth and profitability metrics amongst its peers in the banking space. We have continued to deliver strong financial results that can be attributed to a well-diversified growth across all of our targeted businesses in a highly competitive market." Financial performance highlights: - H1 2015 Net Profit of AED272 million an increase of 26% from H1 2014 - Return on Equity stands at 16.8% - Total Assets reach AED 37.3 billion up 28% from December 2014 - Customer Financing registers AED21.8 billion up 21% from December 2014 - Impaired Financing Ratio improves further to 5.1%; Coverage Ratio reaches over 109% - Customer Deposits climb to AED29.6 billion up 24% from December 2014 He added: "Despite a record 24% increase in our core deposit base in the first six months of this year Noor Bank continues to enjoy one of the lowest costs of funding amongst our peer banking group. We also remain one of the most liquid UAE banks with among the lowest financing to deposit ratios of 74%. Effective risk management coupled with improved asset quality has resulted in a significant reduction in the cost of risks with NPL (non-performing loans) ratio of 5.1% and coverage ratio of 109%. Noor Bank rated 'A-' by Fitch Ratings has continued to maintain its leadership position inIslamic capital markets and syndication businesses. During the first six months of the current year Noor Bank led arranged Islamic capital market mandates of more than Dh22billion for various corporates financial institutions and sovereigns across GCC Asia and Europe.
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