StanChart posts 7 per cent rise in pre-tax profit

By Macharia Kamau

Standard Chartered Kenya yesterday announced a 7 per cent increase in pre-tax profit to Sh9.9 billion for the nine months ended 30 September. 

The bank attributed the rise in profitability to an improved operating environment during the second half of 2013 and economic activities continuing to normalise, and strengthened fundamentals after the elections in March this year.

Total income increased by 9 per cent to Sh17.6 billion, with loans and advances up by 22 per cent to Sh123.6 billion. Richard Etemesi (pictured), the chief executive of Standard Chartered, said the bank expects to sustain the performance for the remaining three months of its financial year.

“Business momentum has continued to pick up pace in the second half of 2013. The macro-economic environment has been stable and business confidence is up. We remain confident in the outlook for the business for the rest of 2013,” he said.

“We continue to invest in both our businesses, which enters the fourth quarter with good momentum but we remain vigilant about the global outlook,” he said.

 “We will continue to look for opportunities and take advantage of these to build and grow our business. The bank is in great shape, has good momentum, and is well positioned for the future.” He said the quality of the asset book remains good and is well diversified and conservatively positioned.

Non-performing loans rose to Sh3.8 billion compared to Sh2.2 billion in 2012, translating to 3 per cent of gross total loans compared to 2.1 per cent in 2012.

Earnings per share edged up to Sh22 from Sh21.64 in the same period last year. The lender did not recommend the payment of an interim dividend.

Most banks in Kenya have posted earnings growth for the period, mainly helped by a drop in interest rate.