Total operating income for the third quarter amounted to US$208 million, the same level as in the previous year whilst operating expenses increased by 9% to US$108 million, compared to US$99 million last year, mainly due to compensation and new hires. Cost to income ratio for the nine months saw an improvement to 47.9% from 50.4% due to revenue growth during 2014. Net impairment provisions for the third quarter of US$13 million was higher than US$6 million in the same period last year; however, the cumulative net charge for the nine months at US$40 million was lower than US$44 million for the same period last year. The ratio of NPLs (non-performing loans) to gross loans improved to 2.5% from 3.0% at 2013 year-end.

ABC Group’s total assets registered a growth of 9% during 2014 to stand at US$28.9 billion as of 30 September 2014, reflecting growth in loan volumes and liquid assets. The Group has maintained a diverse and primarily short term asset book with 60% of assets having a tenor of less than 1 year.    

Deposits grew by 7% during the year to US$19.6 billion from US$18.3 billion at 2013 year-end. New borrowings of US$0.9 billion during the quarter resulted in term borrowings to reach US$3.7 billion (US$2.8 billion at 2013 year-end). The Group’s liquidity position continues to be strong with the liquid assets to deposits ratio at 65% (63% at 2013 year-end). The liquid assets to total assets ratio stood at 44%, which is the same as at 2013 year-end. 

Shareholders’ equity stood at US$3,976 million on 30 September 2014, compared to US$3,940 million at 2013 year-end. ABC’s capital base remains very strong, with a capital adequacy ratio of 21.7%, predominantly Tier 1, which totalled 17.9%. Adjusted to a Basel III basis, in line with the Central Bank of Bahrain rules, the Group’s total capital adequacy ratio is 21.2%, and its Tier 1 ratio is 17.9%.

ABC's Chairman, Mr. Saddek El Kaber, commented: “We are satisfied with our third quarter results where all business units contributed to this achievement. ABC continues to diversify and extend tenors to further strengthen its funding profile. The recent US$750 million of 3-year borrowing at pricing that compares favourably to higher rated peers attracted leading banks across a wide geographic spectrum from Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East. With substantial capital resources and deeper investment into our talent base, ABC is poised for more growth in the years ahead.”