Unity Bank Projects N27B in Q4 Earnings, Targets N4B Profit

Lagos.09.09.2024. Unity Bank Plc has projected gross earnings of N27 billion and a Profit After Tax of N4 billion in Q4, 2024, in its latest earnings forecast released to the Nigerian Exchange Group.

Although the projected gross earnings represent a marginal increase from the N26 billion projected for Q3 2024, the lender continues to maintain a profitable outlook, with pre-tax profit expected at N4.2 billion.

An analysis of the earnings forecast shows that the lender also expects interest income to rise from N23 billion to N24.5 billion, with net revenue expected to rise marginally by 1.0% to N7.2 billion within the quarter compared to N6.5 billion in Q3, 2024.

Net operating income is projected at N12 billion, while cash flow from financing activities is projected to rise to N481.4 billion from N353.6 billion, a 1.3% projected increase on a quarter-on-quarter basis. This projected growth in cash flow from financing activities continues to reflect the lender’s growing liquidity position which is essential for sustained business operations.

The lender said it expects to cover the milestones with a consistent optimistic outlook in its projection, barring any significant changes in the operating environment, under which the assumptions were made. The lender noted that it will continue to deliver top-notch customer-centric products and services, especially in the digital lending space following the roll-out of enhanced platforms and channels for superlative customer experiences.

Analysts are of the view that the Q4 forecast reflects a steady growth trajectory on the back of key performance indicators and strategic repositioning to hedge the challenging market conditions.

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BREAKING! Opay Begins Charging Of N50 Electronic Transaction Fee

OPay is set to apply a transfer fee of N50 for transactions exceeding N10,000.

OPay has introduced a new fee for electronic transfers into both personal and business accounts, in accordance with the regulations set forth by the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

Beginning September 9, 2024, there will be a one-time charge of N50 for transfers of N10,000 or more.

On Saturday, OPay communicated to its valued customers:

“Dear valued customers, please be informed that starting September 9, 2024, a one-time fee of N50 will be applied for electronic transfer of N10,000 and above paid into your personal or business account in compliance with the Federal Inland Revenue Service regulations.”

ZENITH BANK MAINTAINS LEADING POSITION IN PROFITABILITY AS PBT SOARS
TO N727 BILLION IN H1 2024 RESULT

Zenith Bank Plc has announced its audited results for the half-year ended 30 June 2024,
recording an impressive triple-digit growth of 117% in gross earnings from N967.3 billion
reported in H1 2023 to N2.1 trillion in H1 2024. This superior performance has been
achieved even as the Nigerian banking industry navigates a challenging macro
environment.

According to the bank's audited half-year financial results presented to the Nigerian
Exchange (NGX) on Friday, 30th August 2024, the triple-digit growth in the top line also
drove growth in the bottom line as the Group recorded a 108% Year on Year (YoY) increase
in profit before tax, from N350 billion in H1 2023 to N727 billion in H1 2024. Profit after tax
also grew by 98% from N292 billion to N578 billion in the same period. This led to growth in
earnings per share (EPS) by 98% from N9.29 in H1 2023 to N18.41 in the period under
review.

The growth in gross earnings was driven by an acceleration in both interest income and
non-interest income. Propelled by the growth of and by the effective pricing of risk assets,
interest income surpassed the N1 trillion mark, a half-year record, growing by 177% from
N415.4 billion in H1 2023 to N1.1 trillion in H1 2024, while non-interest income grew by 74%
from N515.7 billion to N899.3 billion.

The Group continued to strive for operational efficiency, resulting in only a marginal
increase in cost-to-income ratio Year on Year (YoY) from 38.5% to 39.4%. The heightened
risk environment has fuelled a growth in impairment levels, thus mildly elevating the cost of
risk from 8.8% to 9.7%. Cost of funds grew Year on Year (YoY) from 2.6% to 4.4% given
the high-interest rate environment. This also resulted in growth in interest expense from
N153.6 billion in H1 2023 to N434.4 billion in H1 2024. Despite this, net interest margin
grew by 49% from 5.9% in H1 2023 to 8.8% in H1 2024, underscoring the efficient repricing
of interest earning assets and interest accruing liabilities.

Total assets grew by 35% from N20.4 trillion in December 2023 to N27.6 trillion in June
2024, while customer deposits grew by 29% from N15.2 trillion in December 2023 to N19.6
trillion in June 2024. Gross loans also grew by 44% from N7.1 trillion in December 2023 to
N10.2 trillion in June 2024 aided by loans disbursements to customers and the translation
effect of foreign currency denominated loans. The Group’s consistent stringent risk
acceptance criteria helped ensure that the non-performing loan ratio continued to show only
modest growth, increasing from 4.4% in December 2023 to 4.5% in June 2024 despite the
challenging macroeconomic environment. Capital adequacy ratio improved from 21.7% in
December 2023 to 23% in June 2024, loan-to-deposit ratio grew by 11% from 46.5% to
51.7%, while liquidity ratio reduced from 71% to 59% in the current period. All prudential
ratios are still well above regulatory thresholds.

In maximizing value to its highly esteemed shareholders, the Group has declared an interim
dividend of N1.00 per share. This represents the highest half year dividend pay-out in its
history, and also the highest interim dividend in the Nigerian banking sector till date.
The Group’s strong brand equity and excellent service quality position it to mine new
business opportunities in strategic sectors of the economy, in existing geographies where it
has a presence, and in new geographies it is exploring. In furtherance of its expansion
plans, the Group has received regulatory approval for the establishment of a third-country
branch in Paris, France, which, when fully operational, will enhance its product offerings in
international markets.

The Group will continue to invest in enhancing its digital banking capabilities and is
expediting the completion of its technology infrastructure upgrade. Its track-record of
successful capital raises puts it on a solid footing to meet the new minimum capital
requirements for commercial banks with international authorisation, well ahead of the
deadline set by the CBN. The Group remains undoubtedly on track for a record year in its
financial performance and will continue to deliver maximum value to its shareholders, while
ensuring a strong corporate governance culture.

Zenith Bank’s track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand
numerous awards including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1
Capital for the fifteenth consecutive year in the 2024 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking,
published by The Banker Magazine. The Bank was also awarded the Bank of the Year
(Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards for 2020 and 2022; and Most
Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker 2024 Banking Awards. Further
recognitions include Best Bank in Nigeria for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022
and in 2024 in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards, and Best Commercial Bank,
Nigeria for four consecutive years from 2021 to 2024 in the World Finance Banking Awards.
Additionally, Zenith Bank has been acknowledged as the Best Corporate Governance Bank,
Nigeria, in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards for three consecutive years
from 2022 to 2024, and ‘Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa for four
consecutive years from 2020 to 2023 by the Ethical Boardroom.

The Bank’s commitment to excellence saw it being named the Most Valuable Banking
Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands for 2020 and 2021, and
Retail Bank of the Year for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022 at the BusinessDay
Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards. The Bank also received the
accolades of Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria, in the International Banker 2023 Banking
Awards, Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria, in
the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards. Zenith Bank was named Bank of the
Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020, Bank of the Year 2021 by
Champion Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2022 by New Telegraph Newspaper, and Most
Responsible Organisation in Africa 2021 by SERAS Awards.