Tier 2 Nigerian lender, Fidelity Bank Plc, on Thursday made public its 2022 audited financial statements, posting an increase of 112.9 percent in profit before tax to N53.7 billion.
Its corporate filing with the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) showed significant increases in key performance indicators.
The results showed a 34.4 percent growth in gross earnings YoY to N337.1 billion, from N295.6 billion in the same period of the previous year, which was driven by 45.2 percent growth in interest and similar income.
The increase in interest income, the report showed, was led by a combination of improved yield on earning assets and 19.1 per cent YoY expansion in earnings base to N2.64 trillion.
Also, net interest income increased by 60.9 percent YoY to N152.7 billion.
The high yield environment had a positive impact on Net Interest Margin, which increased to 6.4 per cent from 4.7 per cent in 2021FY, while average funding cost inched up slightly to 4.6 per cent from 4.2 per cent.
Similarly, total deposits increased by 27.4 per cent to N2.58 trillion from N2.02 trillion in 2021FY in line with the Bank’s guidance for 2022FY published in its investor relations presentation.
The increase was driven by 43.1 per cent growth in low-cost deposits (Demand | Savings | Domiciliary), which resulted in improved margins.
Commenting on the result, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc, said: “We are happy to report another year of impressive double-digit growth across key income and balance sheet lines. This validates our growth strategy and capacity to deliver superior returns to shareholders.”
Speaking on the contribution of foreign currency deposits to its financial performance, Onyeali-Ikpe noted: “FCY deposits increased by $597 million (63.4% YoY) to $1.5 billion and now accounts for 27.5 per cent of total deposits from 19.7 per cent in 2021FY, as we continue to harness the benefits of our renewed drive in the export business and the diaspora banking space.”
Historically, Fidelity Bank has maintained high asset quality and a healthy balance sheet with its Regulatory Ratios well above the minimum regulatory thresholds.
It reported a Liquidity Ratio of 39.6 per cent and Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) at 18.1 per cent compared to the minimum regulatory requirement of 30.0 per cent and 15.0 per cent respectively.
Its Non-Performing Loans ratio remained unchanged at 2.9 per cent for the year.
“In 2023, we are committed to our strategic plan of expanding our service touchpoints beyond the Nigerian market and providing straight-through services that meet and exceed the needs of our growing clientele,” said Onyeali-Ikpe.
On the back of the impressive performance, the bank has declared a final dividend of 40kobo per share which brings its total dividend for FY 2022 to 50kobo per share.
Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged customer commercial bank operating in Nigeria with over 7.5 million customers serviced across its 250 business offices and digital banking channels.
The bank was recognised as the Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023 and Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking and Finance Awards.
The bank has also won awards for the “Fastest Growing Bank” and “MSME & Entrepreneurship Financing Bank of the Year” at the 2021 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions Awards.
