Results of first half 2002

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA 01 August 2002 BBVA Group in the First Half of 2002 The second quarter of the year has been characterized by the uncertainty surrounding the recovery of the economic pulse and corporate earnings and by a great deal of market instability. Adding to the depreciation of the dollar against the euro in the quarter was the depreciation of the majority of Latin American currencies vis-a-vis the U.S. dollar. In this context, the highlight of BBVA Group earnings was the fine performance of recurrent income, like in the previous quarter; however, the high provisions allocated during the period, after applying criteria of great prudence and foresight, conditioned the first-half attributable profit, which amounted to 1,166 million euros, 8.9% less than in the same period of 2001. As a consequence of the continuation of the special circumstances facing Argentina's financial system, just as in the previous quarter, a pro forma account is being presented with Argentina carried by the equity method, thus allowing a more precise analysis of the Group's performance compared against the preceding year. The figures relating to the balance sheet and business activity include Argentina, although the figures and performance excluding this country, as regards the most relevant magnitudes, appear as a memorandum item. Operating income grew 16.3% year-on-year, with Argentina carried by the equity method, and 15.9% excluding dividends and financial operations (the evolution of which is irregular throughout the year). The contributions of the areas of Spanish and Portuguese Retail Banking and Banking in America are noteworthy. Ordinary revenue increased 4.2%, with growth in the core revenue lines. Excluding Argentina, and as per a constant exchange rate, lending grew 7.3% year-on-year, and total customer funds managed 3.5%. The domestic business was more dynamic, increasing around 10% in lending as well as in transactional deposits. Operating expenses fell 4.3%, with reductions in all business areas. An adequate management of income and expenses yielded an improvement of 4.2 points in the efficiency ratio, to 47.6%. As opposed to the positive performance of the most recurrent revenues, of the remaining headings of the income statement leading down to profit, the year-on-year reduction of income from Group operations, in spite of the capital gain obtained in the second quarter on the sale of 23.9% of Metrovacesa, as well as of income from companies carried by the equity method and, above all, the 56.2% increase in total provisions to 1,464 million euros, should be highlighted. The extraordinary provisions allocated in the first half included 209 million euros to adjust the earnings derived from its interest in Telefonica to the losses announced by this company and 159 million euros allocated to writing off the commitments acquired in the purchase of Corpbanca. Net loan loss provisions also increased as a consequence of the country-risk allocation of 117 million euros due to the reclassification of Argentina to Group 5 and the higher provisions allocated in Banking in America. Due to these factors, pre-tax profit dropped 21.9% in y-o-y terms to 1,872 million euros. Due to the lower capital gains tax and the deductibility of certain allocations, together with the lower minorities due to the higher interest in Bancomer, attributable profit at the end of the first six months of the year amounted to 1,166 million euros. On account of the lower capital gains tax and the deductibility of certain allocations, together with the lower minorities due to the higher interest in Bancomer, attributable profit at the end of the first six months of the year amounted to 1,166 million euros. At the end of the six-month period, the NPL ratio, 1.63% (excluding Argentina) held at the level of twelve months ago, with coverage of 195.2%. Furthermore, the Group continues to show a solid financial strength, with a BIS ratio of 12.5%, and a ratio of 10.7%, as per Bank of Spain regulations. During the second quarter of the year, the Group deployed an intense commercial activity in the domestic market. The deposit BBVA Dinamico, the guaranteed mutual fund Mundibolsa Garantizado and the Nova Oro credit card were launched, and the campaign for direct deposit of payrolls and pensions and the advantages of the mortgage product Hipoteca Facil were expanded, thus strengthening the leadership position in the mortgage segment. In addition, in order to take advantage of the complementary nature of their businesses, online bank Uno-e and the consumer financing business of Finanzia were integrated, giving way to a bank with more than 2 million customers and ample possibilities for cross-selling. Noteworthy events of the quarter include the acquisition of an additional 3% in the capital of BBVA Bancomer, as a consequence of which the stake in the Group's most important Latin American franchise now exceeds 51%. In the month of June, the Board of Directors approved new principles of Corporate Governance, which stand at the forefront of international requirements, with the fundamental goal of increasing transparency. The Board will have a maximum of 18 members, and independent directors (defined pursuant to New York Stock Exchange requisites) will represent a clear majority on the Board and on the Standing and Risk Committees. Furthermore, the Audit and Compliance and Remuneration Committees will be formed entirely by independent directors. Age limits are also established for the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and the Directors. On July 10, the first interim dividend against fiscal year 2002 earnings was distributed in the amount of 0.09 euros gross per share, up 5.9% on the dividend paid last year. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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