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 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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