Kuwait Finance House Group CEO, Mazin Saad AlNahedh said that the positive financial results and the operating profits stemmed from the focus on the core banking activities. They reflect the stable and sustained growth in profitability, encompassing all indicators, confirming the success of our long-term strategy despite the challenging economic and political developments.

He added during the first half 2019 – KFH Earnings Webcast: “Our efforts have been focused on maintaining profit growth rates and implementing the best banking practices in full compliance with supervisory and sharia directives. This in addition to taking advantage of technology, administrative and organizational plans. These plans include raising employee efficiency, innovation, customer care, ensuring the interests of the shareholders, depositors and increasing the return on their investments.”

He indicated Keeping in mind the current public projects in the pipeline, the banking sector is well-equipped to play an important role to support the long-term development of Kuwait’s infrastructure. KFH is involved in nearly every major financial transaction in Kuwait, from financing government and private companies for local projects to financing their ventures abroad and internationally.

Al-Nahedh confirmed that KFH is a key component of the Kuwait 2035 vision as a leading Islamic financial institution enabling national development and growth of the financial services industry, while also helping facilitate the growth and diversification of investment efforts of many other economic sectors.

He added that KFH Group has succeeded in consolidating its position in the Sukuk market. The bank has arranged issuances worth more than USD 5 billion for companies and governments through KFH Capital, the investment arm of KFH.  This is in addition to launching a new index for dollar- denominated Sukuk issuances in the global markets. 

Regarding the potential Acquisition of AUB Bahrain, Al-Nahedh explained that KFH has disclosed to the regulatory authorities and the market the latest developments in this regard and there are no further updates at this time, and it will disclose as and when any new developments take place.

Group Chief Financial Officer, Shadi Zahran

Group's Chief Financial Officer at KFH, Shadi Zahran said that the Group has achieved Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) attributable to Shareholders for the period ended 30th June 2019 of KD 107.7mn higher by KD 12.4mn or 13.1% compared to H1 2018 of KD 95.2mn.

He added that total Operating income at KD 392.4mn increased by KD 2.5mn or 0.6% as compared to same period last year; the increase is mainly from Investment Income by KD 30.7mn offset by the decrease in NFI by KD 27.2mn.

The increase in investment income is mainly attributable to finalization of projects and divestments which led to increase in investment income to total operating income to reach 15.4% compared to 7.6% last year. However, the other non-yielding income contribution remained at almost same level of 21%.

Net financing income (NFI) has decreased by KD 27.2 mn or 9.8% compared to same period last year. This is due to increase in COF by KD 63.6 mn which is partly offset by increase in financing income of KD 36.4mn.

Zahran said that financing income increase resulted mainly from the increase in average yielding assets. On the other hand, increase in COF is mainly due to the full effect of increase in benchmark rates impacting financing cost, and the increase in distribution to depositors as a result of higher Group profitability and Mudaraba based deposits concentration.

He added that total Operating Expenses at KD 151.7mn have decreased by KD (2.4)mn or (1.6)%, indicating this is mainly due to continuous efforts at the Group level made towards cost optimization and rationalization which has resulted in the containment of costs despite expansion of Banking Business and inflationary conditions seen in some markets where the Group operates.

He explained that net Operating income at KD 240.7mn increased by KD 4.9mn or 2.1% compared to Jun-18 and cost to income ratio improved by a further 87bps to reach 38.65%. Displaying an improved efficiency and optimized total operating expenses.

Furthermore, at KFH-Kuwait, C/I ratio at 36.9% which is below both the local Islamic Banks average of 38.1% and local conventional Banks average of 38.4% (calculated from published financials for Q1-19).

Average Profit Earning Assets is up by 6.3% compared to June 2018, maintaining the growth momentum of yielding assets for the past few years. (avg. YoY financing receivables and MM is up by KD 400mn and avg. Sukuk is up by KD 400mn)

Group NFM at 3.03% shows a 15bps decrease over 2018 of average 3.18%.

Group average yield slightly improved despite the increase in local and international profit rates mainly on account of aggressive market competition and slow discount rate evolvement compared to Fed rate. However, as mentioned earlier the COF is higher as compared to H1-18 on account of KFH increased profitability and higher market rates.

Zahran said the Group total provisions and impairment charge increased by KD 1.9mn or 2.0% to reach KD 99.9mn. Higher provisions on financing by KD36.3 mn is on account of precautionary provision of KD 40mn recorded at Group level on our Turkish subsidiary financing portfolio on conservative basis in view of market outlook.

Provisions and impairment for investments and others decreased from KD 65.5mn to KD 31.2mn due to last year one-off impairment for certain legacy properties in GCC.

Net Operating Income (before provisions) from banking activities remained at 90.0% of Group Net Operating income.

Total Assets at KD 18.7bn increased by KD1.0bn or 5.5% over 6 months period (Jun-19 vs. Dec-18).

He continued: “The Group achieved an outstanding growth in deposits during the first half of KD 1.1bn or 9.0% with contribution from all banking operations reflecting the results of investments made in digitalization and depositors confidence in KFH Group.”

Additionally, the favorable deposits mix continues to show very healthy contribution from CASA deposits which represents 45.8% of total Group deposits as at the end of H1 2019 – maintaining same level during the past few years. It is also worth to mention that KFH Kuwait dominates the saving accounts with market share of 41.1% (as per CBK latest published reports, May-19).

He added that financing receivables at KD 9.2bn increased by 0.5% over 6 months period (Jun-19 vs. Dec-18). Growth without TRL devaluation is 2%. Growth in financing receivables contributed from Kuwait and Bahrain despite market competition and challenges while other international banking entities demonstrated slower growth focusing on asset quality.

Investments in Sukuk at KD 2.1bn increased by KD 582mn or 37.2% since Dec-18 with a growth contribution from all banking entities and the majority of the balance represents investment in Sovereign Sukuks. The growth in Sukuk portfolio is a response of growth in deposits in all markets we operate in with limited good asset quality financing opportunities and Group’s overall Risk profile.

He said that customer deposits as a percentage of total deposits at 81% continues to improve reflecting in the healthy funding mix and shows robust liquidity.

NPL ratio reduced to reach 1.90% (as per CBK calculation) in Jun-19 compared to 2.83% at Jun-18 (2018: 1.99%). account of improvement in overall risk profile of the Bank supported by recoveries and write-offs.

Coverage ratio (provision) for Group is 211% in Jun-19 (2018: 191%).

Coverage ratio (provision + collateral) for Group is 263.6% in Jun-19 (2018: 247%).

In the last slide looking at the key performance ratios, the Group compared to last year same period is as follow:

•          ROAE from 10.60% to 11.63%

•          ROAA from 1.32% to 1.23%

•          C/I from 39.52% to 38.65%, and

•          EPS from 13.84 fils to 15.64 fils for H119.

Group Chief Strategy Officer, Fahad Al-Mukhaizeem:

Group Chief Strategy Officer at KFH, Fahad Al-Mukhaizeem covered highlights of Kuwait’s operating environment with an overview on KFH. He also spoke about KFH's strategy, as well H1-2019 results.

Al-Mukhaizeem said: “On June 25, 2019, (MSCI) announced the conditional upgrade of Boursa Kuwait on its main index for emerging markets. The fruits of the 2035 Development Plan are beginning to be seen in the economic environment for the State of Kuwait concerning the encouragement of foreign investments, in several areas. The most important sign of success is the liquidity enhancement in Boursa Kuwait which shows a rise since the beginning of the year. The average daily trading value has tripled as of the First half of 2019 over the same period last year.”

He added that Kuwait (GDP) is expected to reach 2.5% in 2019, according to the (IMF). This is supported by the higher average prices for Kuwaiti crude oil.

Al-Mukhaizeem indicated that Moody’s recently affirmed KFH’s long term rating and upgraded KFH's baseline credit assessment (BCA) to baa3 from ba1, with stable outlook reflecting sustained improvements in the bank's asset quality and earnings.

He pointed out that KFH won Kuwait’s Best Bank 2019 from both Euromoney Group and Asiamoney which confirms KFH's leadership and success in Kuwait.

He explained that currently KFH branch network exceeded 509 branches around the world, thus continuing the Key strengths which include Strategic distribution channels in addition to our robust financial performance.

He said that some of the business highlights include opening of the Largest Auto Showroom in the Middle East, with more than 20 car dealerships, valuation services, a ladies’ section, in addition to a charging station for electric vehicles. This achievement strengthens KFH's role in serving the national economy and the retail market as well. 

As a strategy, he said that KFH uses state of the art technology in its digital banking services to meet customer demand. Through the innovative KFH-Go branches customers can perform 90% of their required banking transactions. KFH also introduced the first ever Mobile Deposit for Cheques in Kuwait, through KFH Online app.