07 August 2019, Makati, Philippines – For the April 1 to June 30, 2019 period, Security Bank Corporation (PSE: SECB) posted Php 2.57 billion in net income, up 32% versus year-ago level. Total revenues grew 32% year-on-year to Php 7.9 billion. Net interest income from customer loans and deposits sustained its strong trajectory growing by 44% to Php 5.4 billion. This was driven by the continued expansion of retail loans and low-cost deposits. Retail loan growth accelerated to 54% year-on-year while low-cost deposits increased 11%. Retail loans now account for 25% of total loans versus 18% a year ago.
Total loans grew 11% year-on-year to Php 427 billion. Total deposits stood at Php 449 billion. On June 28, 2019, the Bank issued Php 18 billion worth of fixed-rate peso corporate bonds with a tenor of 2 years as a cost-efficient funding source alternative to short-term high-cost deposits. Total deposits and peso corporate bonds combined grew 5% year-on-year. Net interest spread on loans and deposits increased to 5.36% in Q2-2019, up 38 basis points quarter-on-quarter and 108 basis points year-on-year. Total net interest income grew by 22% to Php 6.1 billion. Interest income from financial investments grew 7%. Overall, net interest margin increased to 3.59% in Q2-2019, up 18 basis points quarter-on-quarter and 42 basis points year-on-year.
Service charges, fees and commissions increased 70% to Php 1 billion. This was driven by loan fees, credit cards, deposit charges and bancassurance. Securities trading gains in Q2-2019 amounted to Php 376 million. Total non-interest income increased by 81% year-on-year to Php 1.7 billion.
For the January 1 to June 30, 2019 period, net income was Php 4.95 billion, up 15% from year-ago level. Net interest income from customer loans and deposits increased by 37% or Php 2.7 billion to Php 10.1 billion. Interest income from financial investments was higher by 9% or Php 439 million. Total net interest income grew by 18% to Php 11.8 billion. Service charges, fees and commissions for the six-month period increased by 46% to Php 1.86 billion. Securities trading gains totaled Php 1 billion.
Cost-to-income ratio was 53.7% despite a year-on-year operating expense growth (excluding provisions for credit and impairment losses) of 23%.
Asset quality remained healthy, with gross non-performing loan (NPL) ratio at 1.1% versus 0.75% a quarter-ago, and lower than industry’s 1.7% as of May 2019. The Bank set aside Php 639 million for provision for credit losses in 1H-2019. NPL reserve cover was 127%.
Security Bank continues to be among the country’s best capitalized private domestic universal banks. Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio further increased to 16.8% from 16.5% a quarter-ago. Total Capital Adequacy Ratio likewise strengthened to 19.2% from 19.0%. Return on shareholders’ equity increased to 8.8% from 8.1% in 2018. Shareholders’ capital improved to Php 115 billion, up 7% year-on-year. Total assets increased 8% to Php 777 billion.