Tag: MCB Bank

MCB Bank, among Pakistan’s largest commercial banks, is closely followed by Pakistan Revenue, which provides timely updates on its financial performance and key corporate developments to readers.

  • MCB Bank declares highest ever quarterly profit before tax

    MCB Bank declares highest ever quarterly profit before tax

    LAHORE: MCB Bank Limited on Wednesday announced the highest ever quarterly profit before tax of Rs19.05 billion in the third quarter ended September 30, 2022.

    With strong build up in core earnings, MCB’s Profit Before Tax (PBT) for the nine months period ended September 30, 2022 increased to Rs 51.6 billion against PBT of Rs 38.3 billion of corresponding period last year.

    The Board of Directors of MCB Bank Limited (MCB) in its meeting under the Chairmanship of Mian Mohammad Mansha, on October 26, 2022, reviewed the performance of the Bank and approved the interim financial statements for the nine months period ended September 30, 2022.

    The Board of Directors has declared a 3rd interim cash dividend of Rs. 5.0 per share i.e. 50 per cent, in addition to 90 per cent already paid, bringing the total cash dividend for the nine months period ended September 30, 2022 to 140 per cent.

    Retrospective application of tax amendments along with higher tax rates for current period enacted through Finance Act, 2022 resulted into 62 per cent average tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 as compared to average tax rate of 41 per cent for the corresponding period last year. Profit After Tax (PAT) registered a decline of 12 per cent from Rs. 22.6 billion to Rs. 19.9 billion; translating into Earning Per Share (EPS) of Rs. 16.75 compared to an EPS of Rs. 19.03 in corresponding period last year.

    On the back of strong volumetric growth in current account and favourable yield curve movements, net interest income for nine months period ended September 2022 increased by 29 per cent over corresponding period last year. Average current deposits of the Bank registered a growth of Rs. 91.6 billion (+17 per cent) YoY.

    Non-markup income registered a growth of 41 per cent and reported a base of Rs. 20.25 billion against Rs. 14.38 billion in the corresponding period last year. The contribution from foreign exchange line, debit cards, trade business and home remittances remained strong during the period.

    Despite exceptionally high inflation, impact of currency devaluation and continued investments in human resources, branch network and technological upgradation, operating expenses of the Bank were recorded at Rs. 30.52 billion, growing by a modest 16 per cent year on year, while the cost to income ratio significantly improved to 37.3 per cent from 42.5 per cent reported in corresponding period last year.

    Proactive monitoring and recovery efforts led to a net provision reversal against non-performing loans (NPLs) which aggregated to Rs. 1,883 million for the period under review. Persistent focus on maintaining a robust risk management framework encompassing structured assessment models, effective pre-disbursement evaluation tools and an array of post disbursement monitoring systems has enabled MCB to effectively manage its credit risk. The Non-performing loan (NPL) base of the Bank was reported at Rs. 52.47 billion. The Bank has not taken FSV benefit in calculation of specific provision against its NPLs. The coverage and infection ratios of the Bank were reported at 85.14 per cent and 8.37 per cent, respectively.

    On the financial position side, the total asset base of the Bank grew by 5.4 per cent and was reported at Rs. 2,076 billion. Gross advances registered a slight decline of Rs. 9 billion (-1 per cent), whereas the consumer lending book grew by Rs. 4.8 billion (+12 per cent).

    During the period under review, MCB’s strategic objective of achieving growth in no-cost current account base was reinforced by an uncertain and volatile interest rate scenario, leading to persistent re-pricing gaps between the earning assets and liabilities. Hence, the Bank registered a growth of 21 per cent in non-remunerative deposits to close the period at Rs. 680.33 billion. CASA mix was reported at an industry leading level of 93.73 per cent which reflects customer loyalty earned by the Bank over 75 years through sustained provision of quality services.

    MCB attracted home remittance inflows of USD 2,666 million, during the period under review with market share of 11.5 per cent as an active participant in SBP’s cause for improving flow of remittances into the country through banking channels.

    During the ongoing year, the Bank celebrates successful completion of 75 years of its banking services to the nation. From modest beginnings, the Bank has transformed into a dynamic and innovative organization; overcoming a multitude of challenges along the way with resolve and fortitude. Recognition by the globally coveted Asia Money awards as ‘Pakistan’s Best Corporate Bank of the Year’ in 2022 is a testament to its legacy of posting consistent and exceptional performance for its stakeholders.

    While complying with the regulatory capital requirements, the Bank’s total Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) is 17.6 per cent against the requirement of 11.5 per cent (including capital conservation buffer of 1.50 per cent as reduced under the BPRD Circular Letter No. 12 of 2020). Quality of the capital is evident from Bank’s Common Equity Tier-1 (CET1) to total risk weighted assets ratio which comes to 16.47 per cent against the requirement of 6 per cent. Bank’s capitalization also resulted in a Leverage Ratio of 5.62 per cent which is well above the regulatory limit of 3.0 per cent. The Bank reported Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) of 203.85 per cent and Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) of 134.66 per cent against requirement of 100 per cent.

    Pakistan Credit Rating Agency re-affirmed credit ratings of MCB at “AAA / A1+” for long term and short term respectively, through its notification dated June 23, 2022.

    The Bank on consolidated basis is operating the 2nd largest network of more than 1,600 branches in Pakistan and remains one of the prime stocks traded in the Pakistani equity market, with 2nd highest market capitalization in the industry.

  • MCB Bank decides not to acquire Easypaisa

    MCB Bank decides not to acquire Easypaisa

    KARACHI: MCB Bank, one of the largest financial institutions in Pakistan, has decided not to acquire a stake in Easypaisa, as confirmed during an analyst briefing held on Tuesday. The management of MCB shared that the due diligence process for Easypaisa had been completed, but after careful consideration, the bank opted not to pursue the acquisition.

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  • MCB Bank registers 71% decline in profit for 2QCY22

    MCB Bank registers 71% decline in profit for 2QCY22

    KARACHI: MCB Bank on Wednesday announced sharp decline of 71 per cent in profit for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022.

    According to financial results submitted to Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), the bank announced profit after tax of Rs2.29 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 as compared with Rs7.87 billion in the same quarter of last year.

    READ MORE: Attock Petroleum declares massive 277% growth in annual profit

    MCB Bank declared earnings per share (EPS) at Rs1.93 for the quarter under review as compared with EPS of Rs6.64 in the same quarter last year.

    Analysts at KASB Research said that the result is below estimates of Rs2.2 per share. The deviation is mainly on account of higher than expected admin expense that increased by 19 per cent Year on Year (YoY)/ 10 per cent Quarter on Quarter (QoQ).

    READ MORE: Meezan Bank posts 36% growth in half year profit

    The result was accompanied with an interim cash dividend of Rs4.0 per share. This has taken the first half year ended June 30, 2022 payout to Rs9.0/share. Last year, the payout came in at Rs9.5/share.

    MCB posted strong Net Interest Income (NII) of Rs22.9 billion in second quarter with the reversal of interest rate. Net Fee Income (NFI) rose by 42 per cent YoY in the second quarter of 2022 where major support came from fee and foreign exchange income increasing by 29 per cent YoY and 3.6x YoY, respectively.

    READ MORE: Philip Morris Pakistan declares 11% fall in half year profit

    The bank recorded a provisioning expense of Rs71 million in the second quarter. The analysts think this is because of superior asset quality.

    Profit Before Tax (PBT) rose by 30 per cent YoY, however, Profit After Tax (PAT) saw a decline of 71 per cent YoY/ 75 per cent QoQ as the impact on 10 per cent super tax was recognized in the quarter under review.

    Consequently, ETR came in at 87 per cent. This along with higher than expected admin expense contained the profits.

    READ MORE: Lucky Cement posts record Rs36.42 billion profit

  • Mastercard partners with MCB Bank to empower SMEs in Pakistan

    Mastercard partners with MCB Bank to empower SMEs in Pakistan

    LAHORE: Mastercard and MCB Bank have signed an agreement to boost financial inclusion and empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan.

    The agreement was signed between J.K. Khalil, Cluster General Manager, MENA East, Mastercard and Shoaib Mumtaz, President & CEO, MCB Bank at MCB House, Lahore. Senior members from both organizations were also present at the ceremony.

    READ MORE: Mastercard, Bank Alfalah enter strategic partnership

    Simplify Commerce, powered by Mastercard Payment Gateway Services, is specifically designed to be easy to use, making it possible for merchants with only a minimal amount of digital experience to access a convenient and secure acceptance solution and receive payments within a matter of minutes.

    The partnership allows businesses to sign up for an innovative and cost-effective application that allows them to quickly embrace electronic acceptance. Extremely easy to set up, the technology enables SMEs with a suite of powerful payments and business management features that help simplify backend processes, helping MCB partner merchants to focus on core business functions as they enter and thrive in the digital marketplace.

    The solution benefits small businesses who want to build their own webstores without coding knowledge, use advance payment options such as e-invoicing, integrate with social media, take informed business decision using the powerful reporting module or build payments into existing websites with hosted payment or shopping cart payment plug-ins.

    READ MORE: Bank Alfalah posts 45% growth in profit after tax

    J. K. Khalil, Cluster General Manager, MENA East, Mastercard, said: “Small businesses play a vital role in uplifting communities and building inclusive economies. As SMEs navigate a changing digital world, it is crucial to have access to the right insights, technologies, and solutions to grow and scale. Together with MCB Bank, we are supporting Pakistan’s SME community and providing these businesses with the digital tools and resources to help them thrive.”

    Shoaib Mumtaz, President & CEO at MCB Bank, said: “Our alliance with Mastercard will provide small and medium enterprises a powerful suite of business management tools to better manage the financial and administrative aspects of their enterprises. We are confident that Simplify Commerce will greatly streamline backend processes, providing MCB partner merchants the freedom to focus on what’s important, growing their businesses in the ecommerce arena. This partnership will go a long way towards empowering entrepreneurs and fostering financial inclusion, both critical drivers of sustainable economic growth.”

    READ MORE: Meezan Bank announces direct payment integration with VISA Card

    According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, in 2019, SMEs constitute nearly 90% of entirely private businesses and employ almost 78% of the non-agricultural labor force in Pakistan reflecting the huge potential for digitalization of these businesses to boost the nation’s economy.

    The announcement builds on Mastercard’s longstanding relationship with MCB Bank and its ongoing support to SMEs in Pakistan and across the MENA region. Globally, Mastercard has pledged to connect one billion people and 50 million micro, medium and small businesses to the digital economy by 2025 – with a direct focus on 25 million women entrepreneurs.

  • MCB Bank finalizing Easypaisa acquisition

    MCB Bank finalizing Easypaisa acquisition

    KARACHI: MCB Bank is in final stage for making decision regarding acquisition of Easypaisa, top management of the bank said on Tuesday.

    “The bank is in final stages of making a decision on potential Easypaisa acquisition and the announcement in this regard will be made shortly,” the management told at analyst briefing.

    Management indicated that it is likely that bank will maintain dividend payout ratio whether the acquisition goes through or not.

    MCB Bank conducted its 1Q2022 analyst briefing today where management discussed financial performance and future outlook of the bank.

    With rising differential between kibor and policy rates, a 100-150 basis points increase in policy rate in upcoming monetary policy is likely as per management.

    A significant chunk of government securities will reprise in 2Q2022 however reprising of advances will continue till 3Q2022 which will continue to support Net Interest Margins (NIMs) of the bank.

    MCB remains very selective in its lending policy and it does not see any major uptick in Non Performing loans (NPLs) despite high kibor rate of ~15 per cent. Consumer loans contribute around 6 per cent to the total loan book of the bank.

    Current Account Deposit as percentage of total deposits for the bank clocked in at 43 per cent in March 2022 against 40 per cent in December 2021. Rising current accounts (zero cost deposits) will continue to support Net Interest Income (NII) of the bank going forward.

    Duration on fixed rate PIBs is close to 3 years where the average yield on such bond is around 10.5 per cent.

    Management do not expect any significant impact on bank earnings due to falling Pakistan Eurobond prices as the bank test the instruments for impairment if the value is down by 30 per cent or above.

    Exposure in US$ Sri Lankan bonds was gradually phased out by the bank hence no impact of the bond default is anticipated.

    The entire banking industry is witnessing strong growth in foreign exchange income led by volatility in exchange rate.

    MCB reported 1Q2022 earnings of Rs7.7/share, up 29 per cent YoY led by rise in Net Interest Income (NII) which was up 19 per cent to Rs19bn. Non-interest income of the bank increased by 18 per cent YoY to Rs5.9bn in 1Q2022 also supporting profitability of the bank.  

    MCB remains one of the leading commercial banks in Pakistan with 1,426 Domestic Branches across Pakistan, over 8.2 million customer accounts, 7 per cent share in industry deposits, and 2nd largest market capitalization.

  • Sri Lankan default impact on Pakistani banks

    Sri Lankan default impact on Pakistani banks

    KARACHI: Pakistani banks operating in Sri Lanka will have adverse effect on their books due to declaration of Sri Lanka for failure to repay its foreign debt.

    In a recent development, Sri Lanka announced that it would be defaulting on its external obligations due to dwindling foreign exchange reserves.

    Sri Lanka’s total external debt currently stands at $51 billion, i.e. 60 per cent of GDP.

    As per foreign news agency, Sri-Lanka has to make a foreign repayment of $4 billion, including $1 billion sovereign bond maturing in July 2022.

    Insight Securities said that its banking universe including UBL, MCB, HBL, and BAHL holds Sri Lanka sovereign instruments in their investment book (both USD denominated & Local currency), may result in revaluation loss or provision charge.

    Sri-Lanka’s central bank governor said that this suspension of payment would be placed until the country reaches an agreement with creditors and alongside with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    The analysts believed that this declaration of default will only affect USD denominated bonds while the CBSL (Central bank of Sri Lanka) will continue to honor domestic bonds i.e. T-bills. However, disclosure of local and USD-denominated sovereign bonds is not available in respective banks financials.

    It is worth mentioning that these above abstracts are based on the CY21 financial statement, and there is a possibility that these banks have already reduced their exposure before the default announcement.

    Analysts at Arif Habib Limited said that the economic crisis in Sri Lanka seems to be worsening with the authorities announcing temporarily default on its foreign debts.

    With more than $50 billion in external debt and foreign exchange reserves hovering around $1.9 billion (last month), the country is currently struggling to make payments on its international sovereign bonds.

    Media sources suggest, this week $36 million interest payment is due on a Sri-Lanka’s 2023 dollar bond as well as $42.2 million on 2028 note.

    Moreover, a $1 billion sovereign bond is maturing on July 25th, 2022.

    The extraordinary measure taken by the Sri-Lankan authorities to halt payments on foreign debt is to preserve its dwindling reserves for the purpose of importation of essentials such as food, fuel and medicine.

    Going forward, the analysts believe, the options available to the Sri-Lankan government include: negotiation of a settlement in which bondholders are given new bonds that are worth less but help provide some partial compensation, or restructuring of the current one with the support of IMF which media sources claim to be likely Sri Lanka’s strategy.

    It is pertinent to note here that some of the Pakistani banks are exposed to the Sri-Lankan economy either through branch banking or investments in the government debt securities.

    Amongst our AHL coverage banks, MCB has eight branches in the Lankan territory while HBL operates with three branches in the country.

  • MCB Bank gets approval for Telenor Bank due diligence

    MCB Bank gets approval for Telenor Bank due diligence

    KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has granted MCB Bank to conduct due diligence for the purchase of 55 per cent shares of M/s. Telenor Microfinance Bank, a statement said on Monday.

    According to it the SBP had granted in-principal conditional approval to MCB to conduct due diligence for a potential transaction for the purchase of 55 per cent shares of M/s. Telenor Microfinance Bank Limited held by Telenor Pakistan BV (operates under the Easypaisa brand name)

    The board of directors of MCB had already, in its meeting held on October 27, 2021 accorded its in-principle approval to conduct a due diligence for the potential transaction.

  • MCB Bank declares highest ever Rs52 bn profit before tax

    MCB Bank declares highest ever Rs52 bn profit before tax

    LAHORE: MCB Bank on Thursday announced the highest ever annual profit before tax at around 52 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021

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  • President Alvi rejects MCB Bank’s appeal in fraud case

    President Alvi rejects MCB Bank’s appeal in fraud case

    ISLAMABAD: President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi has rejected an appeal filed by MCB Bank against a decision by the Banking Mohtasib (Ombudsman) in a case where a banking customer lost huge money due to fraudulent activity.

    President Dr Arif Alvi has upheld the decision of the Banking Mohtasib directing a private bank to credit the lost amount of Rs 800,000 (eight hundred thousand rupees) to the account of bank fraud victim.

    While rejecting the representation of the bank against the decision of the Mohtasib, he observed that the bank was at fault for having incorporated the wrong contact numbers of the account holder in the bank system, thereby, preventing the complainant from taking any remedial step to avert the loss after receiving SMS alerts about the fraudulent transactions.

    As per the details, Ms. Naveera (the complainant) had been maintaining an account with Muslim Commercial Bank’s (MCB) Gulshan-e-Ravi Branch, Lahore. She had to lose her money after her account was debited by using an ATM Card at four different ATM terminals.

    She claimed that those transactions were unauthorized as those had not been conducted by her and the ATM Card was throughout in her possession. She also reported that no SMS alerts about the withdrawal of funds were conveyed to her except one received on 24-01-2019 intimating the withdrawal of Rs 200,000 from her account.

    On receiving the SMS, she lodged a complaint with the bank, however, she was not provided with any relief. Subsequently, she approached the Banking Mohtasib to get a refund of Rs 800,000 withdrawn from her account fraudulently.

    The Banking Mohtasib in its decision observed that additional contact numbers of the complainant had been added in the bank’s record without any authorization from the account holder, therefore, SMS regarding cash withdrawal transactions could not be received by the complainant.

    Moreover, the bank had changed her PIN Code on 21.01.2019, just three days before the transactions, after receiving a phone call from an imposter as the Phone Banking Officer did not probe the caller.

    The bank admitted during the hearing that the voice of the caller was different from the voice of the lady complainant. Additionally, the legible CCTV footage and snapshots of disputed transactions with date and time were not visible as the bank was found negligent to implement the State Bank of Pakistan’s guidelines regarding the installation of cameras in ATM cabins/rooms to have secondary evidence and to monitor all activities in the ATM vicinity.

    The Mohtasib in its decision stated that the bank was under obligation to prove with cogent reasonable evidence that transactions were conducted by the complainant or were conducted by any person under her mandate.

    The Ombudsman, therefore, ordered the bank to make good the loss by crediting the account of the complainant with a sum of Rs 800,000.

    Later, the bank filed a representation with the Honorable President, which he rejected observing that the bank miserably failed to fulfil its statutory liability and rebut the claim of the complainant by failing to provide any justification to set aside the orders of the Banking Ombudsman. He noted that as per the law, the Banking Mohtasib is to inquire into the complaints about banking malpractices, maladministration, wrongdoings, fraudulent transactions, the corrupt and mala fide practices by the bank officials and pass appropriate orders on conclusion of the inquiry.

    The President rejected the representation of the private bank as no fault could be found with the Banking Mohtasib’s approach to the matter.

  • MCB Bank, UnionPay ink pact for e-Commerce

    MCB Bank, UnionPay ink pact for e-Commerce

    LAHORE: MCB Bank Limited has entered into an agreement with UnionPay International (UPI) to further facilitate e-Commerce businesses partnered with MCB e-Gate with access to UnionPay International’s globally recognized payment services.

    Under this agreement, MCB Bank will be enabling partner eCommerce businesses to access UnionPay International as a payment scheme in the MCB eGate internet payment gateway service. Going forward,all eCommerce businesses that utilize the MCB eGate service will be able to receive patronage from UnionPay International Debit and Credit Cardholders who will now be able to conduct online payment transactions on their platforms.

    The agreement was signed between Muhammad Azam Naeem, Business Head, Digital Banking, MCB Bank and Nadeem Haroon, Country Manager, UnionPay Pakistan at MCB House, Lahore. Shahzad Ishaq, Group Head, Consumer & Digital Banking, MCB Bank, Jasim Ahmed Waheed, Department Head Acceptance, Digital Banking, MCB Bank, Umer Qasim, Product Manager eCommerce and Payment Gateway, Digital Banking, MCB Bank, Kashif Ali, Ali Abbas and Mehtab Haider from UnionPay International were also present at the ceremony.

    Speaking at the occasion, Shahzad Ishaq said: “at the heart of all our digital initiatives is enhancing customers’ access to payments, convenience and ease of doing transactions. Simultaneously, we would enrich the value proposition provided to Bank’s eCommerce merchants.

    “Through our agreement with UnionPay International, our partnering eCommerce merchants stand to benefit from the potential business with over 12 million UnionPay cardholders in Pakistan.”

    James Yang, General Manager UnionPay International Middle East, also added: “UnionPay has the world’s largest cardholder base issued across 70 countries and regions. Providing security and effortless convenience for all of our customers is key when looking to the future. Supporting both merchants and consumers, UnionPay International invests significantly in technology and innovation to deliver a range of leading products, all adhering to the highest standards of security and protection.”

    MCB Bank is one of the largest and most innovative banks in Pakistan. The Bank operates a strong and vast network of Over 1,400 branches and over 1400 ATMs in Pakistan and 11 overseas branches. With a customer base of over 7 million, MCB leads the banking & financial services sector in Pakistan and customers across the globe have 24/7 access to MCB Bank via our innovative and accessible Digital Banking Services.

    UnionPay International (UPI) is a subsidiary of China UnionPay focused on the growth and support of UnionPay’s global business. In partnership with more than 2400 institutions worldwide, UnionPay International has enabled card acceptance in 180 countries and regions with issuance in 70 countries and regions. UnionPay International provides high-quality, cost-effective and secure cross-border payment services to the world’s largest cardholder base and ensures convenient local services to a growing number of global UnionPay cardholders and merchants.