Emirates Islamic has posted an impressive 71% surge in 2023 net profit, reaching an unprecedented high of AED2.12 billion ($580 million). 

 

This remarkable growth can be attributed to the upward trajectory of both funded and non-funded income, indicating enhanced business sentiment. 

 

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the bank’s total income reached AED1.2 billion, marking a noteworthy 24% year-on-year growth. Total income increased by a significant 50% to AED4.77 billion. 

 

Profound expertise

These exceptional results reflect the strength of the regional economy and the bank’s profound expertise in identifying and addressing the market demand for Islamic banking. This expertise has enabled Emirates Islamic to offer a broader range of innovative services, resulting in a robust 82% growth in operating profit.

 

The bank’s total income was up 50% y-o-y driven by financing growth, low-cost funding base and increased transaction volumes while operating expenses increased 15% y-o-y as the bank invested for future growth.

 

Impairment Allowances increased 117% y-o-y due to financing growth as net profit margin improved to 4.69%. Strong capital and liquidity combined with a healthy deposit mix enabled the bank to continue supporting customers.  

 

Emirates Islamic’s total assets increased by 18% to AED88 billion in 2023, customer financing increased by 11% to AED53.7 billion and customer deposits increased by 9% to AED61.3 billion with current account and savings account balances at 76% of total deposits.

 

Non-performing financing ratio improved to 6.3% with strong coverage ratio at 132%. A Tier 1 ratio of 18.9% and 20% capital adequacy ratio reflect the bank’s strong capital position. Headline financing to deposit ratio was at 88%, reflecting continued healthy liquidity in the UAE. 

 

Strong balance sheet

Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, Chairman, Emirates Islamic and Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Emirates NBD, said: Emirates Islamic delivered the most impressive financial performance in our history in 2023. The strong balance sheet, low-cost funding base and digital architecture form a strong platform for even greater achievements in the future.” 

 

Emirates Islamic delivered its highest ever net profit of AED2.12 billion in 2023, marking a substantial 71% increase compared to 2022. The bank reported a total income growth of 50% over 2022 with customer deposits growing by 9% over the same period, he said.

 

“Our deep expertise and awareness of the demand for Islamic banking provided the opportunity to develop existing products and introduce new services, making Shariah-compliant banking more beneficial for institutional clients and more accessible for individual customers.

 

“We are proud of our partnerships with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment and Sharjah Housing Programme to offer Shariah-compliant home finance – enabling more UAE Nationals to access finance to buy or build their own homes. Our investments in technology and strategic partnerships have played a major role in our success, as we attract numerous large corporate clients and individual customers.

 

“Going forward, we will continue to drive the growth of Islamic banking in the UAE and support the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the global capital of the Islamic economy,” he said.

 

Highest-ever profit

Farid Al Mulla, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Islamic, said: “As the flagship Islamic banking arm of the Emirates NBD Group, we exceeded all expectations in 2023, including our highest-ever profit. Emirates Islamic’s gross financing increased in 2023, including improved productivity and return on assets. In 2023, we celebrated a first in UAE banking history, reinforcing our commitment to deepening and promoting liquidity in the local currency Sukuk market, by issuing an AED1 billion public Sukuk. This unique three-year offering was oversubscribed 2.5 times, highlighting the strength of the dirham Sukuk market, and emphasising confidence in the local currency market from global Shariah-compliant investors.

 

“Emirates Islamic has further strengthened its position as a leading Islamic financial institution in the UAE, with total assets increasing by 18% to AED88 billion in 2023 and customer financing growing by 11% to AED53.7 billion in 2023. 

 

“We are deeply committed to developing Emirati talent across our bank. In 2023, we undertook a number of initiatives to increase Emirati participation in critical roles within the organisation, supporting the Central Bank of the UAE’s Emiratisation policy. The bank has one of the highest Emiratisation levels in the UAE banking sector, with 36% of the total number of employees. In addition, women in leadership positions increased to 25% and we signed the UAE Gender Balance Pledge to accelerate gender balance in the UAE private sector. 

 

“Fitch Ratings affirmed our Long-Term Issuer Default Rating of 'A+' with a Stable Outlook, Short-Term IDR (ST IDR) of ‘F1’, with an upgrade of Viability Rating to ‘bb+’,” he added.--TradeArabia News Service