Vallibel Finance records PBT of Rs.2.38bn amid challenging market conditions
Vallibel Finance PLC yet again demonstrated its time-tested resilience and industry leadership status by achieving impressive results in all its KPIS across fixed deposits, lending portfolio and profitability, while recording positive growth as compared to the negative growth recorded by the overall financial services industry in the 2020/21 financial year.
The company recorded a profit before tax (PBT) of Rs.2.3 billion, which was an increase of 28.3 percent and its profit after tax soared to Rs.1.7 billion, from Rs.1.2 billion in the previous year, supported by an aggressive strategy to optimise costs, focus on collections and seek new business avenues, all the while supporting customers to tide over the crisis.
The strong management expertise in the company is evidenced in the non-performing loans (NPL) ratio improving to 4.48 percent, from 5.01 percent in the previous year, despite a rash of defaulted payments against the industry average rate of 13.9 percent.
This positive result for the company reflects the recovery and collection drive embarked upon during the year, despite the challenging impact on many customers linked to sectors such as tourism, vehicle imports, etc., which were badly affected during the year.
The company grew its gross loan portfolio to Rs.50 billion in the period under review, from Rs.42 billion in the previous year, reflecting a growth of 19.0 percent, as a result of the company’s aggressive growth strategy.
Vallibel Finance served customers mindfully during this difficult period, helping to rehabilitate them by extending loans as per the government-stipulated moratorium and even going beyond these norms to grant concessions to customers engaged in industries that were hit particularly hard.
Pre-tax profits for the year under review achieved a notable all-time high of Rs.2.8 billion, expanding by 17.1 percent, from the figure of Rs.2.4 billion in the previous year, which is a testimonial to the company’s prudent management and wealth of experience in the financial services industry, in particular, managing in the face of adversity.
The public confidence in the company was evident in the success achieved in deposit mobilisation during the year. Deposits soared to Rs.32 billion, a commendable growth by 10 percent, from Rs.29 billion in the previous year. Total assets increased to Rs.55 billion, expanding by 7.4 percent, from the previous figure of Rs.51 billion.
“We are proud of the financial performance that Vallibel Finance has delivered despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, which resulted in an economic slowdown, while the vehicle import ban impacted the financial services industry. Powering positive growth across all parameters is a fitting achievement that has been brought about by a dedicated and professional team. The entire team at Vallibel Finance has shown exceptional commitment to achieving set targets,” said Vallibel Finance Managing Director Jayantha Rangamuwa.
Generating wealth for shareholders, the company’s earnings per share increased to Rs.29.36, from Rs.21.29 in the previous year.
Commenting further, Vallibel Group Chairman Dhammika Perera said, “Year after year, despite the severely challenging operational environments and a global pandemic, Vallibel Finance continues to deliver unfailingly on its commitment to safeguard and create wealth and prosperity for all its stakeholders and shareholders, while making a valuable contribution to the Vallibel group as the flagship company of the highly diversified conglomerate.”
Notably, Vallibel has been twice honoured during the year by two prestigious award as Best Finance Company 2021 by Global Economics and Global Banking and Finance for its performance, thereby certifying its status as a strong and respected industry name.