11 November 2022, Makati City, Philippines – Security Bank Corporation (PSE: SECB) posted a 77% year-on-year increase in net income to PHP8.6 billion in the first nine months of 2022, driven by growth in core businesses, lower credit provisions and normalized income tax provisions.
Total revenues grew 7% to PHP29.4 billion year-on-year. Net interest income increased 7% to PHP22 billion. Net interest margin in the first nine months was 4.33%. Total non-interest income increased 6% to PHP7.4 billion. Service charges, fees and commissions grew 22% to PHP3.9 billion, led by increase in fees from credit cards, deposits and capital markets. Other non-interest income excluding securities trading gains and fee income rose 32% to PHP3.6 billion, driven mainly by foreign exchange income and recovery on charged-off assets.
Operating expense was 5% higher, driven by investments in manpower and technology to improve customer experience. Cost-to-income ratio was 56.3% compared to 57.3% a year ago.
Pre-provision operating profit was PHP12.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. The Bank set aside PHP1.6 billion as provisions for credit losses in the first nine months of 2022, a 60% decrease versus year-ago level of PHP4.1 billion. Gross non-performing loan ratio decreased to 3.24% from 4.15% in previous year. NPL reserve cover increased to 94% from 91% in previous year.
Return on assets increased to 1.52% from 0.95% a year ago. Return on shareholders’ equity increased to 9.16% from 5.20% a year ago.
Quarterly Results: For the period July 1 to September 30, 2022, net income was PHP2.3 billion, 35% higher than year-ago level. Third quarter revenues rose 12% year-on-year to PHP10.2 billion. Pre-provision operating profit was PHP4.4 billion, up 17% year-on-year. The Bank set aside PHP1.2 billion as provisions for credit losses in Q3-2022. On a sequential quarter-on-quarter basis, revenues was up 2%. Total non-interest income increased 6% quarter-on-quarter to PHP2.6 billion. Service charges, fees and commissions was at the PHP1.3 billion level, same as quarter ago. Other non-interest income excluding securities trading gains and fee income rose 12% to PHP1.4 billion, driven by foreign exchange income, profit from assets sold, and recovery on charged-off assets. Operating expense in Q3-2022 was 10% higher versus quarter-ago.
Balance sheet remains strong
Low-cost savings and demand deposits grew 13% year-on-year and account for 58% of total deposits. Total deposits grew 12% to PHP583 billion.
Net loans increased 12% year-on-year to PHP484 billion, driven by both wholesale and retail loans which grew 12% each. On a sequential quarter-on-quarter basis, net loans decreased by 1%, with retail loans up 5% and wholesale loans down 3%. Retail loans are 24% of total loans, up from 23% a quarter ago.
Security Bank continues to be among the country’s best capitalized private domestic universal banks. Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio was 16.6% and Total Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) was 17.1%. Total assets increased to PHP799 billion, up 14% year-on-year. Shareholders’ capital was at PHP124 billion.
On October 25, 2022, the Bank’s Board of Directors approved the second semestral regular cash dividend of PHP1.50 per common share with payment date on November 24, 2022. This will bring the total cash dividends for the year to PHP3.00 per common share for a dividend payout ratio of 32.7% of 2021 net income. The Bank had earlier paid regular cash dividend for the first semester of PHP1.50 per common share on April 28, 2022.
Security Bank was recently recognized as Market Leader in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Market Leader in Diversity & Inclusion by Euromoney; Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion by Asiamoney; and Best Retail Bank in the Philippines by Alpha Southeast Asia. The Asian Banker also recently awarded Security Bank’s Complete Cashback Platinum Mastercard as the Best Credit Card Product in the Philippines. The Bank was earlier awarded Best for Mass Affluence/HNW in the Philippines by Asiamoney.
“Our third quarter results reflect continued growth for our retail and wholesale client segments. We channeled resources to support economic expansion, to address inflation impacts and to enhance both customer and employee experience.” — Security Bank President & CEO, Sanjiv Vohra.