Standard Bank continues to deliver on the promises it made to its shareholders — meeting its primary financial objectives of strong real earnings and an attractive return on shareholder value.
One of the group’s stated medium-term objectives was headline earnings growth of inflation plus 10%, equating to 14,3%, for the past financial year, which it easily beat with earnings coming in some 22% higher at R7,648-billion — exceeding even the most bullish of forecasts.
Another stated objective was a return on equity (ROE) of 20%, which the group easily exceeded in the 12 months to the end of December 2004 with an ROE of 26,4%.
It also exceeded its aim of a credit loss ratio below 1%, with the ratio improving from 0,91% to 0,43%.
The only objective the group failed to achieve was on its cost-to-income ratio, which deteriorated from 56,2% — slightly above its target of 56% — to 57,5%.
Unchanged net interest income coupled with 12% cost growth were the primary reasons for the increased cost-to-income ratio, the group said on Wednesday. It added that cost growth was impacted by a variety of factors, including business volumes, continued enhancement of the group’s IT systems capability and staff incentivisation.
“These results were achieved in a positive economic environment in most markets in which we operate. The South African economy, which represents the group’s most important market, continued to benefit from 10 years of sound economic and political policies. Emerging markets flourished and Africa’s economy expanded at twice the annual average rate of the last 20 years,” says Jacko Maree, chief executive of the Standard Bank group.
Maree is confident the group will continue to be able to meet its principal financial objectives for 2005, which are a return on equity of 22,5%, revised upwards from 20%, and headline earnings growth of inflation plus 10% points.
Continued focus on operational excellence and customer service, together with the current positive domestic economic conditions, are expected to sustain consumer business growth through 2005, albeit at a slower rate, he says.
Corporate business activity is expected to increase given the potential for growth in infrastructural and empowerment financing business.
“The group will continue to increase the contribution from its operations in the rest of Africa, through extracting efficiencies and the roll-out of retail and commercial banking products proven in South Africa.
Increased economic development and organic business growth across the African continent should provide ample opportunities for financial intermediation in the years ahead,” he said.
“The group will be adopting international financial reporting standards in 2005. Accounting standards continue to be subject to vigorous debate and sometimes changing interpretation. In particular, uncertainties remain around the interpretation of the basis of credit impairment quantification and accounting for the equity settled component of empowerment initiatives, both of which could impact the group’s 2005 results,” he said.
He adds: “We believe economic conditions in the countries in which we operate are unlikely to repeat the rapid improvement of 2004. Taking the above factors into account we remain confident that the group’s quality of staff and diverse spread of businesses should continue to produce returns to shareholders in line with our published objectives.
Standard Bank group’s principal financial objectives for 2005 are a return on equity of 22,5%, revised upwards from 20%, and headline earnings growth of inflation plus 10 percentage points.” – I-Net Bridge