Absa Group headline earnings increased by 27% to R11 billion in the first half of the year 2022 as revenue increased, demonstrating a continued strong recovery from the global economic downturn in 2020.
Absa reported solid pre-provision profit for the first half of the year, supported by revenue which rose by 14%, underpinned by growth across our business units and supported by a rebound in the insurance business in South Africa and increased interest rates across key markets. Net interest income and non-interest income rose 12% and 18%, respectively.
Arrie Rautenbach, Absa Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), reacting to the performance indicated that the strong results reaffirm the strategic choices we made in 2018 and are testimony to the work they have undertaken in creating a business that is closer to customers. “With a strong, experienced leadership team and an improved operating model, we now have a strong foundation for outperformance.”
Jason Quinn, Absa Group Financial Director, iterated that all the key measures are significantly above the pre-COVID levels of the first half of 2019.
“The strategic decisions we made in the last few years have ensured that we remain capital generative and we are appropriately provisioned as we face a tougher environment.”
Jason Quinn
Mr. Quinn asserted that the the Group balance sheet remains well positioned, with Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) having improved. CET1 and liquidity levels remain well ahead of regulatory and Board target ranges.
“Costs were well maintained even as the Group increased investment in IT for enhanced digital performance and improved customer experience. Total IT spend grew 11% to R6 billion. Improved stability and enriched functionality saw digitally active customers grow across our businesses including a 10% increase to 2.2 million in retail and business banking in South Africa. Digital volumes have grown by 86% compared to 2019 levels whilst branch and ATM volumes have declined substantially.”
Jason Quinn
Retail and Business Banking
Retail and Business Banking (RBB) South Africa, the Group’s largest revenue generator, continued to execute against its 2018 strategic transformation journey, supported by the momentum of the economic recovery, specifically in the first quarter of the year. Although the operating environment became increasingly difficult in the second quarter, key performance indicators continued to trend positively and in line with expectations, benefitting from deliberate execution over the past three years. Home loans registrations, vehicle asset financing and personal loans, among other areas, increased.
Absa gained market share in key areas in retail advances including home loans and vehicle asset financing and our deposit market share continued to be strong at 22%. Customer numbers increased 1% to 9.6 million.
RBB earnings from Absa Regional Operations (ARO) increased strongly following very strong revenue growth, an encouraging performance as Absa repositions the business on a growth trajectory and improve returns.
Costs were well maintained even as the Group increased investment in IT for enhanced digital performance and improved customer experience. Total IT spend grew 11% to R6 billion. Improved stability and enriched functionality saw digitally active customers grow across our businesses including a 10% increase to 2.2 million in retail and business banking in South Africa. Digital volumes have grown by 86% compared to 2019 levels whilst branch and ATM volumes have declined substantially.
In June, Absa announced a strengthened and more diverse executive leadership team. Absa refined its operating model, adopting a flatter structure, bringing management closer to customers and allowing the Group to accelerate strategy execution.
All business units reported improved earnings and stronger returns during the first half.
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