Interim Results
Banco Comercial Portugues S.A.
24 July 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JULY 24, 2002
BANCO COMERCIAL PORTUGUES ('BCP')
NET INCOME OF EURO 320.9 MILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2002
(Warsaw, July 24, 2002): Banco Comercial Portugues (BCP, NYSE: BPC, BCPPRA)
today reported consolidated net income of Euro 320.9 million for the first half
of 2002, compared to Euro 353.8 million in the same period of 2001. Return on
equity stood at 32.1%, with return on assets at 1.1%.
PROFITABILITY 1st Half 1st Half Change
INDICATORS 2002 2001 2002/2001
Net income 320.87 353.75 -9.3%
(Millions of euros)
ROE 32.1% 32.6% -
ROA 1.1% 1.2% -
ROA before minority interests 1.2% 1.3% -
BCP's consolidated net income was assisted by continuing cost control efforts,
specifically in the domestic business. The evolution of bad debt levels is also
worth noting, particularly in the current economic climate, with the proportion
of overdue loans to total loans decreasing to 1.6% at June 30, 2002 from 1.7% at
the end of the first quarter of 2002.
The implementation of BCP's new commercial model, based on a specialised
approach to both the creation and distribution of financial products and
services, also had a positive effect. However, these favourable developments
were offset by the continuing poor economic conditions. Trading and commission
income were particularly affected, and credit provisions saw an increase, mainly
as a result of the provisioning of personally-guaranteed loans in accordance
with Regulation 7/2000 of the Bank of Portugal.
'During the first half of 2002 BCP's activity was significantly constrained by
the worsening domestic economic climate and by tough conditions in the global
financial markets. However, the Bank responded to this by reinforcing its
proactive commercial stance and by focusing on strict cost control and
maintaining credit quality. As a result, the loan growth (although moderate),
and higher interest margins and efficiency levels, have resulted in our
cash-flow increasing by more than 10% compared to the first half of 2001',
commented Mr. Jardim Goncalves, Chairman and CEO of BCP. He added:
'We have also focused on further developing the activity of our distribution
networks, through product innovation, organisational procedures and
technological solutions. This has already led to significant commercial gains in
the domestic business. An ambitious efficiency programme, aimed at achieving
sustained high levels of operational excellence, has also been set up. Its
results are expected to be seen in terms of superior profitability levels
throughout the remainder of 2002 and 2003'.
During the first half of 2002, under the process of rationalisation of
real-estate and in order to optimise capital allocation, the Bank booked capital
gains arising from the sale of premises to the Bank's pension fund. This
transaction compensated for the impact that decreasing returns on financial
assets had on the pension fund assets. Capital gains were in the same amount as
additional pension fund, market and credit risk provisions (Euro 85 million)
with the result that there was no impact from non-recurring transactions on
consolidated net income.
The Bank's increased shareholding in NovaBank and the fact that BCP became the
majority shareholder of Banco Internacional de Mocambique after having merged it
with Banco Comercial de Mocambique led to both these institutions being fully
consolidated from the end of 2001. As these interests were previously
consolidated using the proportional method, we have produced pro forma financial
statements for the first half of 2001, allowing a comparable basis with the
figures now presented for the same period of 2002.
Consolidated net interest income stood at Euro 644 million in the first six
months of 2002, compared to Euro 676 million in the same period of 2001 on a pro
forma basis. The main influences here were higher business volumes, with both
loans to customers and total customers' funds increasing from their June 30,
2001 level, and by the efforts to keep adequate interest spreads, with the net
interest margin increasing to 2.6% from 2.5% in the first half of 2001. However,
these effects were offset by the impact of credit securitisation.
The pursuance of a very prudent provisioning policy aimed at complying with
applicable legislation, but also based on an economic appraisal of risks, and
the application of Regulation 7/2000 of the Bank of Portugal, under which full
provisioning was required for loans overdue by more than 18 months collaterised
by personal guarantees, have led to a strong increase in provisions for credit
risks, to Euro 175 million in the first half of 2002 from Euro 106 million in
the same period of 2001, on a comparable basis.
Net commissions, which amounted to Euro 245 million in the first six months of
2002, remained at roughly the same level as the first half of 2001 (Euro 243
million, on a pro forma basis). The performance of debit and credit card fees
and the activity of the Group's investment banking operation, which lead-managed
a number of high-value transactions in the first quarter of 2002, were offset by
lower brokerage commissions resulting from the weakened capital markets. The
poor performance of financial markets also contributed to the 2.9% decrease in
trading gains, to Euro 74 million in the first half of 2002 from Euro 76 million
in the same period of 2001, on a comparable basis.
Other net operating income was influenced by a capital gain of Euro 85 million
on the sale of premises to the Bank's pension fund, following the Group's
strategy to optimise capital allocation and rationalise real-estate assigned to
operations. The fund's assets were reinforced, thus counterbalancing the
influence of the decrease of returns on financial assets. Net of this impact,
other net operating income increased 19.8% to Euro 159 million in the first six
months of 2002 from Euro 133 million in the first half of 2001, buoyed by higher
recoveries of overdue loans and by the strong performance of investment banking
income.
The lower contribution from equity accounted associates led to a 14.8% drop in
income from securities, to Euro 114 million in the first half of 2002 from Euro
134 million in the same period of the previous year. This reduction was mainly
attributable to a decreased contribution from Eureko, which itself was
influenced by the booking of non-recurring income in the first half of 2001 and
by the performance of capital markets.
OTHER INCOME 1st Half 1st Half 1st Half Change
(Millions of euros) 2002 2001 2001 2002/2001
Pro forma Pro forma
Net Commissions 245.3 243.2 240.6 0.8%
Of which:
- Domestic activity 221.6 223.3 223.3 -0.8%
Trading Gains 74.2 76.4 69.8 -2.9%
Of which:
- Domestic activity 71.0 61.9 61.9 14.6%
Other Net Operating Income (1) 158.9 132.6 132.8 19.8%
Of which:
- Domestic activity 150.8 130.6 130.6 15.5%
Other Income /Total Income (1)
- Total 47.1% 46.4% 46.2% -
- Domestic activity 48.4% 47.2% 47.2% -
(1) Excludes non-recurring transactions.
Operating costs (staff costs, other administrative expenses and depreciation)
totalled Euro 723 million in the first six months of 2002, up 3.0% from Euro 702
million pro forma in the first half of 2001. This increase was due to the
Group's operations outside Portugal, where there is a significant number of
recent and high-growth projects. The evolution of domestic operating costs on
the other hand benefited from continuing control and rationalisation efforts.
Staff costs totalled Euro 379 million in the first half of 2002, 1.9% up from
Euro 372 million in the same period of 2001, on a comparable basis. Domestic
staff costs, which amounted to Euro 324 million, roughly at the level of the
first six months of 2001 (Euro 326 million, pro forma), were affected by higher
pension fund contributions. The impact of non-domestic operations was
particularly clear in the evolution of other administrative expenses and
depreciation, which grew by 1.8% and by 13.1%, respectively. For the Group's
domestic business alone, other administrative expenses decreased by 2.9%, while
depreciation was 2.7% up.
OPERATING COSTS 1st Half 1st Half 1st Half Change
(Millions of euros) 2002 2001 2001 2002/2001
Pro forma Pro forma
Staff Costs 379.1 372.2 365.7 1.9%
Of which:
- Domestic activity 324.4 325.5 325.5 -0.4%
Other Administrative Expenses 262.9 258.1 251.1 1.8%
Of which:
- Domestic activity 218.4 225.0 225.0 -2.9%
Depreciation 81.4 72.0 69.4 13.1%
Of which:
- Domestic activity 61.8 60.2 60.2 2.7%
Operating Costs/ Total Income (1)
- Total 57.6% 55.7% 55.1% -
- Domestic activity 52.5% 52.5% 52.6% -
(1) Excludes non-recurring transactions.
Loans to customers rose by 6.8% on a comparable basis, totalling Euro 44,216
million at June 30, 2002 (Euro 41,394 million at the end of June, 2001). In
spite of the continuing harsh economic climate, loans to individuals grew at a
steep pace, with the Group's efforts to optimise risks resulting from the
acquisitions in 2000 explaining the more moderate growth in corporate loans.
Total customers' funds stood at Euro 48,774 million at the end of the first half
of 2002, a 5.4% increase from pro forma total customers' funds of Euro 46,265
million at June 30, 2001. This aggregate profited from the implementation of the
Group's new commercial model, and resulted from strong growth in capitalisation
insurance and securities, reflecting the Group's effectiveness in bancassurance
and in creating structured products for the retail market. Investors' greater
preference for low risk products and the competitiveness of the Group's offer
has resulted in an increase in balance sheet customers' funds. The performance
of assets under management, which maintained a level similar to June 30, 2001,
is also worth noting in the current economic conditions.
ACTIVITY 30 Jun. 30 Jun. 30 Jun. Change
2002 2001 2001
INDICATORS Pro forma 2002/2001
(Millions of euros) Pro forma
Total Assets (1) 60,796 61,954 61,274 -1.9%
Total Customers' Funds
- Balance Sheet 28,254 27,655 27,142 2.2%
- Assets under Management 9,972 9,970 9,970 0.0%
- Capitalisation Insurance 6,024 5,157 5,157 16.8%
- Securities 4,524 3,483 3,483 29.9%
- Total 48,774 46,265 45,752 5.4%
Loans to Customers (1) 44,216 41,394 41,259 6.8%
Own Funds (2) 5,952 6,212 6,212 -4.2%
(1) Does not include securitised assets.
(2) Shareholders' Equity, Preference Shares and Subordinated Debt.
Loan quality benefited from continued prudence in analysing, granting,
monitoring and recovering credit, having improved from the first quarter of 2002
in spite of the maintenance of an unfavourable framework. At the end of the
first half of 2002, overdue loans accounted for 1.6% of total loans, compared to
1.7% at March 31, 2002 (1.5% at June 30, 2001, on a pro forma basis). Coverage
by provisions amounted to 137.1% (138.0% at the end of the first quarter of 2002
and 150.6% at June 30, 2001).
LOAN QUALITY INDICATORS (1) 30 Jun. 30 Jun. 30 Jun.
2002 2001 2001
Pro forma
Total overdue loans/Total loans 1.6% 1.5% 1.5%
Provisions/Total overdue loans 137.1% 150.6% 150.6%
(1) Does not include securitised loans.
Solvency indicators maintained adequate levels. The consolidated solvency ratio
stood at 9.8% at the end of June 2002, according to BIS principles, with tier
one amounting to 6.0%. In accordance with the ruling of the Bank of Portugal,
the consolidated solvency ratio was 8.8% at the end of the first half of 2002.
'During the first half of 2002, we have taken advantage of opportunities to
increase provisioning for credit risk, pension fund liabilities and unrealised
capital losses on investments. Through this, we have aimed to further reinforce
BCP's asset structure, which we see as a fundamental pillar in the Group's
development, and a key confidence factor for BCP's shareholders', Mr. Jardim
Goncalves concluded.
-End of announcement-
For further information:
Miguel Duarte Banco Comercial Portugues Tel: +35 121 321 1081
Toby Moore/Catriona Cockburn Citigate Dewe Rogerson Tel: +44 20 7638 9571
BANCO COMERCIAL PORTUGUES
Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 30 June, 2002 and 2001
2002 2002 2001
(Millions of Escudos) (Thousands of Euros)
Assets
Cash and deposits at central banks 253,578 1,264,840 1,039,259
Loans and advances to credit institutions
Repayable on demand 152,256 759,449 1,078,801
Other loans and advances 695,709 3,470,180 5,952,022
Loans and advances to customers 8,864,560 44,216,241 42,931,002
Securities 836,480 4,172,345 4,883,813
Treasury stock 4,808 23,984 7,566
Investments 529,692 2,642,094 2,598,330
Intangible assets 27,866 138,995 103,422
Tangible assets 235,622 1,175,280 1,257,561
Other debtors 162,386 809,978 932,483
Prepayments and accrued income 425,495 2,122,358 2,161,774
12,188,452 60,795,744 62,946,033
Liabilities
Amounts owed to credit institutions
Repayable on demand 86,052 429,226 459,192
With agreed maturity date 2,198,479 10,965,966 15,943,261
Amounts owed to customers
Repayable on demand 2,379,989 11,871,335 10,903,282
With agreed maturity date 3,282,570 16,373,392 16,229,322
Debt securities 2,428,546 12,113,536 10,079,201
Other liabilities 87,849 438,190 292,569
Accruals and deferred income 327,327 1,632,697 1,689,603
Provision for liabilities and charges 172,291 859,384 1,100,858
Subordinated debt 577,924 2,882,675 2,748,622
Total Liabilities 11,541,027 57,566,401 59,445,910
Shareholders' Equity
Share capital 466,464 2,326,715 2,326,715
Share premium 143,368 715,117 715,203
Reserves and retained earnings (236,192) (1,178,122) (809,012)
Total Shareholders' Equity 373,640 1,863,710 2,232,906
Minority interests 32,146 160,341 36,310
Minority interests in preference shares 241,639 1,205,292 1,230,907
Total Minority Interests 273,785 1,365,633 1,267,217
12,188,452 60,795,744 62,946,033
BANCO COMERCIAL PORTUGUES
Consolidated Statement of Income
for the six months ended 30 June, 2002 and 2001
2002 2002 2001
(Millions of Escudos) (Thousands of Euros)
Interest income 299,232 1,492,564 1,721,360
Interest expense 166,105 828,530 1,051,591
Net interest income 133,127 664,034 669,769
Provision for loan losses 35,032 174,739 104,889
Net interest income after
provision for loan losses 98,095 489,295 564,880
Other operating income
Income from securities 22,811 113,779 131,526
Commissions 57,897 288,791 278,896
Profit arising from trading activity 35,283 175,989 255,400
Other income 56,141 280,030 166,351
172,132 858,589 832,173
Other operating expenses
Commissions 8,728 43,536 38,272
Losses arising from trading activity 20,409 101,799 185,604
Staff costs 76,010 379,136 365,704
Other administrative costs 52,703 262,879 251,074
Depreciation 16,320 81,403 69,385
Other provisions 8,614 42,966 2,961
Other expenses 7,148 35,656 33,591
189,932 947,375 946,591
Income before income taxes 80,295 400,509 450,462
Income taxes 8,406 41,928 48,034
Net income 71,889 358,581 402,428
Minority interests 7,560 37,708 48,675
Net income for the period attributable to the Bank 64,329 320,873 353,753
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