Byblos Bank Headquarters, Wednesday, 27 January 2016: Byblos Bank achieved adequate results for 2015 despite continuing domestic and regional economic instability, posting net profit of USD 161 million. Compared to USD 176 million in 2014, the new results reflect the Bank’s continuing efforts to minimize risks as significant challenges continue to affect the markets in which it operates.
As part of this conservative approach, Byblos Bank has preserved its strong asset quality, continued to enjoy a diversified loan portfolio, and maintained a robust customer deposit base. Non-performing loans were reduced to 4.7% of total loans and the Bank continued its policy of strict provisioning against possible credit losses, resulting in a coverage ratio of well above 100% on its balance sheet. In addition, the Bank posted strong liquidity of 51% of total assets and a Basel III capital adequacy ratio of 17.6%, far surpassing the regulatory requirement of 12% for end-2015.
In view of the difficult business environment, Byblos Bank is investing more efforts in the review and streamlining of its activities and
processes, and further leveraging technology to improve productivity and better serve its customers.
Apart from protecting against the negative impacts of that difficult environment, the Bank has also been prudently examining opportunities opened up by the instability, including the potential for domestic and/or foreign acquisitions that would help ensure greater diversification and sustainable long-term profitability.
Total assets grew 4.4% (+USD 836 million) to USD 19,871 million as at 31 December 2015, while customer deposits rose 5.9% (+USD 922 million) to USD 16,637 million, and customers’ loans were up 4.3% (+USD 205 million) to USD 4,932 million.