Guaranty Trust Bank plc has released its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 to the Nigerian and London Stock Exchanges.

A review of the results shows positive performance across all financial indices, reaffirming the Bank’s position as one of the most profitable and well managed financial institutions in Nigeria. Gross earnings for the period grew by 39% to ₦104.66billion from ₦75.39billion reported in March 2016; driven primarily by growth in interest income. Profit before tax stood at ₦50.39billion, representing a growth of 64% over ₦30.68billion recorded in the corresponding period of March 2016. The Bank’s loan to customers dipped marginally by 2% from ₦1.591trillion recorded in December 2016 to ₦1.563trillion as at March 2017. Deposit from customers grew marginally by 1% from ₦1.986trillion in December 2016 to ₦2.012trillion in March 2017.

The Bank’s balance sheet remained strong with a 1.6% growth in Total Assets as the Bank closed the quarter ended March 2017 with Total Assets of ₦3.16trillion and Shareholders’ Funds of ₦546.9Billion. The Bank’s non-performing loans remained low and within regulatory threshold at 3.62% (Bank: 3.27%) with adequate coverage of 231.6% (Bank: 266.6%). Capital remains strong with CAR of 20.03%. On the backdrop of this result, Return on Equity (ROAE) and Return on Assets (ROAA) closed at 31.55% and 5.28% respectively.

Commenting on the financial results, the Managing Director/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, Mr Segun Agbaje, said that “Given the significant progress we made in 2016, we came into the year better equipped to navigate any further economic headwinds, and our performance in the first quarter demonstrates our ability to deliver sustainable long-term growth. We remain committed to maximizing shareholders’ value and delivering superior and sustainable return, guided by our founding values of hard work, discipline and integrity.

 He further stated that “As we transform our organization into a platform for enriching lives, we are providing our customers with information and access they need to thrive. We are also leveraging our brand and networks to support small businesses through free business platforms and capacity building initiatives.

GTBank has consistently played a leading role in Africa’s banking industry and reported the best financial ratios for a Financial Institution in the industry with a return on equity (ROE) of 31.55% and a cost to income ratio of 38.75%, evidencing the efficient management of the banks’ assets. Overall, the Bank has enshrined its position as a clear leader in the industry.

In due recognition of the Bank’s leading role in Africa’s banking industry, owing to its bias for world class corporate governance standards and excellent service delivery and innovation, GTBank was  recognized in 2016 as the Best Bank in Nigeria by Euromoney, Most Innovative Bank in Africa by African Investor and Best Banking Group Nigeria by World Finance Magazine.