Ecobank Ghana has earned a record total revenue of GH¢1.58 billion and profit before tax of GH¢642.4 million, marking a growth of 21 percent and 27 percent respectively over the prior-year figures.
The Bank’s operating expenses were well controlled within inflationary levels with a resultant reduction in cost-to-income ratio from 51.5per cent in 2018 to 45.8 percent in 2019.
A statement issued in Accra by Mrs Rita Nana Aba Tsegah, Regional Head, Corporate Communications and Marketing said the remarkable performance was reflective of the Bank’s consistent strategy of building a diversified business model with a focus on growing revenue and managing costs and risks, even in the face of a highly competitive environment.
This year’s Annual General Meeting, (AGM) which was held virtually, highlighted strong growth in revenues and profits, strengthening the Bank’s balance sheet as well as a dividend pay-out.
It said the Bank also posted strong performance on all key balance sheet items, providing its shareholders with a return on equity of 25 percent.
“The Bank continues to be well capitalised with a total equity of GH¢1.78 billion, one of the highest in the industry and a capital adequacy ratio of 18.58per cent, well above the regulatory requirement of 13 percent,” it said.
The statement said Ecobank Ghana‘s credit rating has been affirmed by the Global Credit Rating Company at AA-(GH) and A1+(GH) in the long term and short term respectively with a stable outlook.
The current ratings reflect the Bank’s established domestic franchise value, resilient financial performance, risk-appropriate capitalisation, and adequate loan loss reserve.
It said given the Bank’s stellar performance, the Board proposed a dividend payout of 30 pesewas per share, which was unanimously approved by shareholders.
Mr Terence Darko, the Board Chairman of Ecobank speaking at the AGM said the last two years had been marked by significant changes in the Ghanaian banking sector, largely underscored by the Central Bank’s clean-up activities across the industry.
He said that had reduced the number of banks in Ghana from 34 to 23, and led to a stronger and more efficient banking system.On Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Mr. Darko said the Bank was committed to building strong communities, indicating that the activities of the Bank’s flagship CSR programme, “Ecobank Day” provided the opportunity for the Bank to target one major CSR issue at a time.He said in 2019, Ecobank focused on creating awareness on the causes, prevention, and management of Non-Communicable Diseases with special emphasis on breast […]
