The Banking Executive Magazine - February 2023 Issue

Jordan-based Arab Bank Group achieved solid results for the period ending December 31, 2022, with a net income of $544.3 million com- pared to the previous year's figures of $314.5 million. Announcing the 2022 results, Arab Bank said its performance was mainly driven by robust growth in its core banking business across differ- ent markets, as net profit before pro- visions and tax increased by 23% to reach $1.35 billion. Excluding the impact of devaluation of several currencies against the US dollar, loans and deposits grew by 5% to reach $35.4 billion and $ 47.7 billion, respectively, despite the volatile operating environment, said the bank in its statement. Impressed by the results, the bank's board of directors has recommended to the shareholders, the distribution of 25% cash dividends for the finan- cial year 2022, it added. On the solid performance, Chairman Sabih Masri said Arab Bank was able to achieve several key strategic ob- jectives in 2022 despite the chal- lenges that emerged during the year. These results reflect the bank’s unique footprint as well as its diver- sified franchise and rooted presence in several markets, he stated. Masri pointed out that the bank re- mains committed to its strategic sus- tainable growth direction centered on serving customers’ evolving needs, and continuing to invest in in- novation and digital transformation. CEO Randa Sadik said Arab Bank continued to deliver sustainable growth rates during 2022 despite the economic challenges stemming from high inflation, increased interest rates and the devaluation in exchange rates of several currencies against the US dollar. The bank’s net operating profit grew by 23% driven by the growth in rev- enues from its core banking business, its diversified sources of income, with focus on non-interest income, as well as controlling operating ex- penses in line with the bank's pru- dent strategy, she noted. Sadik pointed out that the group’s liquidity and asset quality remains solid where loan-to-deposit ratio stood at 74.2% and credit provisions held against non-performing loans continue to exceed 100%. Arab Bank Group maintains a strong capital base that is predominantly composed of common equity with a capital adequacy ratio of 16.6% On the future outook, Sadik said the bank continues to implement its am- bitious strategy on this front. "During the year the bank launched several digital banking services and solutions across various markets to meet the evolving needs and expec- tations of the different customer seg- ments, including youth, inline with the latest trends and developments," he added. ISSUE 170 FEBRUARY 2023 the BANKING EXECUTIVE 37 Arab Bank Group's Net Income for 2022 SURGES TO $544MLN