Bahrain, 25th February, 2009 -
UGB announces profit of US$ 207.2 million for 2008
UGB announces profit of US$ 207.2 million for 2008
Bahrain, 25 February 2009:
UGB – United Gulf Bank – has announced a net profit of US$ 207.2
million, or US$ 25.31 cents per share, for the year ended 31
December 2008, a decrease of 6.2 percent on the US$ 220.9 million
profit, or US$ 27.3 cents per share, for 2007.
After seeking necessary regulatory approval, the Board of Directors
will hold another meeting to consider and recommend a dividend for
approval by the Bank’s General Assembly. An appropriate announcement
will be made to the Bahrain Stock Exchange and Kuwait Stock Exchange
as soon as a decision is made.
UGB said its 2008 results were achieved while applying conservative
accounting principles on asset valuation and despite a US$ 141.7
million loss in the fourth quarter. The results also reflected UGB’s
strict financial discipline which maintained the Bank’s sound
financial position in difficult market conditions.
During the year, UGB sold its affiliate, Jordan Kuwait Bank, to
Burgan Bank for a total of US$ 450 million and this sale was the
highlight of its performance in 2008.
UGB’s total revenues for 2008 decreased by 4.7 percent over the year
to US$ 341.4 million from US$ 358.1 million in 2007. Operating
income before provisions decreased by 4.9 per cent to US$ 217.5
million from US$ 228.7 million in 2007. UGB also posted a 7.6
percent rise in total consolidated assets for 2008, up to US$ 2.9
billion from US$ 2.7 billion in 2007.
As part of its prudent accounting and financial strategy, during
2008 UGB took a consolidated provision of US$ 56.7 million for its
investments and also repaid its maturing medium term Murabaha
facility of US$ 175 million. UGB also raised US$ 115 million in a
medium term loan in June 2008.
UGB has a strong equity base in excess of US$ 815 million and has
capital adequacy ratio of 17 percent at the end of 2008.
Looking forward to 2009, UGB said the agreement to sell its
remaining regional commercial banks to Burgan Bank is expected to be
finalized in 2009. The sale of Algeria Gulf Bank, Bank of Baghdad
and Tunis International Bank to Burgan Bank when completed will
result in UGB recording further gain from the transaction.
UGB’s Managing Director, Mr Masaud Hayat, said:
”Despite very difficult market conditions in 2008 the Bank achieved
good results. The Bank’s liquidity is adequate, it has an
appropriate level of provisions and has a strong equity base to deal
with the current economic climate.”
“Although I am disappointed that we did not achieve the forecast we
made at our 2008 Shafafiyah Investor’s Forum, the financial
decisions we have made will allow us to continue our development and
seize investment opportunities as they arise,” he added.
- END -
Note to editors:
The 2007 revenues of US$ 358.1 million
described within this release refer to revenue which was restated
due to the discontinued operations of financial subsidiaries and
affiliates already sold or under a sale agreement.
About
United Gulf Bank:
UGB, the investment
banking subsidiary of Kuwait Projects Company (Holding) (KIPCO),
manages a regional network of investment/asset management companies
and commercial banks. Its proprietary investments include assets in
real estate, private equity, structured products and quoted
securities. As of December 2008, assets under management exceeded
US$ 9.0 billion (2007: US$ 8.5 billion). UGB’s core subsidiaries and
associates include: Algeria Gulf Bank, Al Dhiyafa Investment
Company, Bank of Baghdad, KIPCO Asset Management Company (KAMCO),
Manafae Investment Company, Millennium Finance Corporation, Royal
Capital Company, Syria Gulf Bank, Tunis International Bank, United
Cable Company, United Gulf Bank Securities Company, United Gulf
Financial Services Company, United Healthcare Company, United
Industries Company and United Real Estate Company.
UGB and its subsidiary KAMCO have a proven track record of
successfully completing around 60 investment banking transactions
for its clients since 2001 with an aggregate value of over US$ 8
billion including corporate finance, advisory, new issue placement
and underwriting, corporate restructuring, bond issuance and merger
and acquisition.
The KIPCO Group is one of the biggest diversified holding companies
in the Middle East and North Africa, with assets worth more than US$
21 billion under management or control. The Group has substantial
ownership interests in a portfolio of over 50 companies operating
across 21 countries. The company’s main business sectors are
financial services and media. Through the subsidiaries and
affiliates of its core companies, KIPCO also has interests in real
estate, industry, healthcare and the management & advisory sector.
For
further information, please contact:
UGB:
Telephone +973 17533233
email info@ugbbah.com
