Steward Bank posts solid H1 results
STEWARD Bank, Zimbabwe’s largest bank by depositors, has shrugged the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and effects of hyperinflation to report impressive half-year financial results to August 31, 2021.
The bank, a subsidiary of EcoCash Holdings Zimbabwe Limited, posted a 263% surge in profit to $252 million, in historical terms, up from $69 million recorded in the half year to August 2020 driven by an increase in net interest income.
Steward Bank chief executive officer Courage Mashavave said the bank recorded a half year net interest income of $648 million, a 619% growth compared to $90 million for the same period last year.
“Non-funded income for the period under review was $1,9 billion, 251% above the prior year of $546 million,” he said in a statement accompanying the financial results.
In inflation-adjusted terms, Steward Bank’s profit went up 158% to $355 million from $211 million reported in the same period in 2020.
The bank’s net interest income jumped 243% to $706 million, up from $206 million in prior year, while non-interest income was $2 billion against $1,3 billion in the corresponding period.
The bank also reported a strong liquidity ratio of 47%, way above the minimum regulatory ratio of 30%. This resulted in the financial technology focused institution’s capital position being in excess of the minimum regulatory requirements of Tier 1 capital of $25 million as at August 31, 2021.
Mashavave said the bank was confident of sustaining the upward trend in performance throughout the financial year.
Steward Bank, which has over two million depositors, commissioned a new core banking system in April 2021, with the investment enabling the bank to accelerate its digital transformation programme.
“We have started to realise the benefits of the system upgrade through better customer experience and operational efficiencies.
“Coupled with the system upgrade, the bank introduced innovations on our online banking platform and our Square digital banking application, enabling us to meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers,” said Mashavave.
In the period under review, Steward Bank zero-rated its Square Mobile Application to leverage on digital financial inclusion channels.
“The zero-rating of the mobile application allows customers to transact without data, thereby ensuring customers have access to financial services at all times.
Mashavave added that the financial services institution dispensed more than 55 000 digital loans to women in the half year under review and maintained a Pos device complement of slightly above 3 000 in the rural areas, ensuring that sole traders and merchants operating in those areas have access to financial services.
“Anti–money laundering and combating financing of terrorism are critical issues that the bank continues to be mindful of in light of the surge in cybercrimes taking place on both a global and local scale.
“The bank continues to partner with the Reserve of Bank of Zimbabwe and the Financial Intelligence Unit to ensure that our customers and nation are protected from financial crimes,” he said.
Steward Bank is now confident of meeting the new capital threshold of US$30 million by the end of this year after shareholders committed to inject more capital to ensure the bank is compliant.