Nedbank Group - Audited Final Results 2012

RNS Number : 5349Y

Old Mutual PLC

25 February 2013

 



Ref 17/13

25 February 2013

Old Mutual plc

 

NEDBANK GROUP - AUDITED FINAL RESULTS 2012

Nedbank Group Limited ("Nedbank Group"), the majority-owned South African banking subsidiary of Old Mutual plc, released its audited summarised financial results for the year ended 31 December 2012 today, 25 February 2013. 

The following is the full text of Nedbank Group's announcement:

"NEDBANK GROUP LIMITED

Audited financial results for the year ended 31 December 2012

·      Headline earnings increased 21,4% to R7 510m¹

·      Diluted headline earnings per share up 19,0% to 1 595 cents¹

·      Strong NIR growth of 12,4% to R17 324m¹

·      ROE (excluding goodwill) increased to 16,4% (2011:15,3%)¹

·      Common equity Tier 1 ratio increased to 11,4% (2011: 10,5%)

·      Full-year dividend per share up 24,3% to 752 cents¹

'In a tough economic environment Nedbank Group's strong franchise and growth orientation together with the momentum built in the first half of the year resulted in the group delivering diluted headline earnings per share growth of 19,0%. This performance was achieved through strong revenue growth, an improved credit loss ratio and responsible expense management while strengthening the balance sheet and investing for growth.

We are committed to sustainable stakeholder delivery andcontributing to SA's development through our support of the National Development Plan objectives. In 2012 we created over 450 new permanent jobs in South Africa and our great-value banking offerings led to 655 000 more clients banking with Nedbank, taking the total number of clients who choose to bank with us above six million. We continue to lead in transformation as the JSE's most empowered large company under the Department of Trade and Industry codes, and to make a difference as South Africa's green bank.

Nedbank Group has strongly growing and diverse annuity income streams, a long-term record of disciplined expense management, a sound funding base, improving asset quality trends and higher coverage ratios, strong capital levels and stable management teams. These attributes, together with a multiyear focus on the importance of culture and values, position us well to continue to deliver to all our stakeholders in 2013 and to adapt to a volatile and challenging economic environment.'

Mike Brown

Chief Executive

 Banking and economic environment

The global economic slowdown continued for most of 2012, with recessionary conditions in many advanced economies negatively affecting growth in leading emerging economies such as China, India and Brazil. Signs of improvement in various geographies emerged in the fourth quarter of the year, giving rise to cautious optimism that global economic conditions may stabilise and potentially start to improve in 2013.

The temporary aversion of the fiscal cliff in the United States of America was a key positive development and, together with the release of improved US housing, employment and credit data, added to the positive sentiment. In Europe the extraordinary actions by central bankers have significantly reduced tail risk in the Eurozone and declining bond yields have helped to ease fiscal pressure. Further uplift in sentiment came from China's producing a modest recovery in growth to just below 8% in the fourth quarter, after reporting a downward trend in growth for 10 successive quarters.

SA's gross domestic (GDP) is expected to have grown at around 2,5% in 2012 after expanding 3,1% in 2011. Concerns around the operating environment and infrastructure constraints, the widening current account deficit, rising national debt, higher inflation, high levels of unemployment and declining trends in competitiveness with wage settlements outpacing productivity were included in the rationale by international rating agencies, Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings for the downgrade of SA's sovereign-debt rating, which in turn placed pressure on the rand. Domestic bond yields have, however, remained stable.

Households remained the primary driver of private sector credit demand, with the unexpected 50 basis points (bps) reduction in interest rates in July 2012 providing some relief for highly indebted consumers against rising electricity, food and fuel costs. Growth rates in unsecured lending are slowing as expected.

Corporate credit demand improved towards the end of the year as the recovery in public sector infrastructure spending supported industries producing capital goods and other inputs for local projects, although corporates on the whole remained cautious, constrained by a weak Eurozone and a relatively sluggish domestic economic environment.

Review of results

Nedbank Group made excellent progress in delivering on our strategic focus areas, producing a strong set of results for the year ended 31 December 2012 ('the year'). The results reflect an improvement in all key performance indicators and headline earnings growth in all business clusters.

Headline earnings grew21,4% to R7 510m (2011: R6 184m), driven by good revenue growth, an improving credit loss ratio (CLR) and responsible expense management while investing for growth.¹

Diluted headline earnings per share increased 19,0% to 1 595 cents (2011: 1 340 cents) and diluted earnings per share increased 18,4% to 1 588 cents (2011: 1 341 cents). In line with the earnings guidance range provided in the trading statement released on 20 February 2013, the group recorded headline earnings per share and basic earnings per share of 1 646 and 1 638 cents per share respectively.¹

The group generated economic profit (EP) of R1 511m, up 63,5% (2011: EP of R924m). The return on average ordinary shareholders' equity (ROE) excluding goodwill, increased to 16,4% (2011: 15,3%) and ROE increased to 14,8% (2011: 13,6%), with the return on assets (ROA) increasing to 1,13% (2011: 0,99%).¹

Nedbank Group is well capitalised, with our Basel II.5 common equity Tier 1 ratio at 11,4% (2011: pro forma Basel II.5 ratio 10,5%). With the introduction of Basel III on 1 January 2013, the pro forma Basel III common equity Tier 1 ratio at 31 December 2012 is a robust 11,6%. Funding and liquidity levels remained sound. Surplus liquidity buffers were maintained at a level of around R24bn and the average long-term funding ratio increased to 26,0% (2011: 25,0%) in the fourth quarter of 2012.

The net asset value per share continued to increase, growing 9,7% to 11 798 cents at 31 December 2012 (2011: 10 753 cents).¹

Delivering sustainably to all our stakeholders

The group has developed a strategic framework that will enable delivery of our vision of building Africa's most admired bank by all our stakeholders and assist in creating a vibrant and flourishing SA through appropriate alignment of our activities with the National Development Plan (NDP). This is underpinned by a firm belief that our long-term success is inextricably linked to our ability to fulfil our social purpose.

We are committed to delivering sustainable value to all our stakeholders as demonstrated by the following highlights for 2012:

·      For staff - creating over 450 new permanent jobs in SA, investing R352m in the development of our staff and supporting more than 1 300 managers through our personal mastery and team effectiveness programme known as 'Leading for Deep Green' and 8 500 staff through our Batho Pele diversity programme. This focus on values-based behaviour has led to higher levels of staff morale and an ongoing positive shift in corporate culture, now measuring at world-class levels.

·      For clients - paying out R144bn in new loans up 24,1% on 2011; launching various market-leading innovations such as the Nedbank App Suite^TM, MyFinancialLife^TM, Small Business Friday^TM in association with the National Small Business Chamber, cash management solutions and longer-term deposit products; providing great-value banking and saving clients R163m through the use of bundled products; increasing our footprint by 80 net new staffed outlets and 476 net new ATMs; and achieving multiyear highs in client satisfaction as measured by Net Promoter Scores across the group. As a result, more clients chose to bank with Nedbank, resulting in a net gain of 655 000 new retail clients in the year, including 377 000 entry-level banking clients, 165 000 middle-market clients, 1 113 high-net-worth clients, 775 and 27 new business banking and corporate primary-banked clients, respectively. Nedbank was recognised by Euromoney as the best bank in South Africa in 2012.

·      For shareholders - delivering R1 511m EP, generating a 34,3% total shareholder return and a total dividend increase of 24,3%, as well as maintaining excellence in transparency and reporting as acknowledged by numerous reporting awards. We have created an opportunity for shareholders to participate in the Africa growth story through our rights to acquire 20% in Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI).

·      For regulators - increasing capital levels further and being well positioned for the implementation of Basel III on 1 January 2013 and the Solvency Assessment and Management regime on 1 January 2015, making cash taxation contributions of R6,2bn relating to direct, indirect and other taxation and supporting the National Treasury in our actions and commitments to responsible banking practices. Our credit rating was upgraded by Fitch in July 2012, while the five largest SA banks were downgraded in January 2013 following the downgrade of the SA sovereign-risk rating.

·      For communities - making banking more accessible and affordable for the entry-level market and rural communities; identifying numerous non-urban areas for footprint expansion; increasing staffed outlets and ATMs by over 48% and 74% respectively since the beginning of 2009. To date we have donated more than R200m to charities through our innovative card affinity programmes, and in 2012 we contributed R116m to socioeconomic development. The group achieved Department of Trade and Industry (dti) code level 2 for the fourth consecutive year and was ranked first overall among the top 50 JSE-listed companies in the Financial Mail/Empowerdex Top Empowered Companies survey. Furthermore 75,5% of our procurement was sourced locally. Our leadership role in environmental sustainability was demonstrated by initiatives such as funding a large percentage of SA's renewable-energy programme and the introduction of Nedbank's Green Savings Bond, the value of which has increased to R866m since its launch. We maintained our carbon-neutral status and received the Financial Times 2012 Sustainable Bank of the Year for Africa and the Middle East award as well as African Business Environmental Sustainability in Africa 2012 award.

Cluster performance

Our business clusters generated an increased ROE of 17,9% (2011: 17,1%) and headline earnings growth of 16,3%, with all line clusters delivering good performances.¹

	% change	Headline earnings (Rm)		ROE (%)
		2012	2011	2012	2011*
Nedbank Capital	16,3	1 428	1 228	25,4	22,6
Nedbank Corporate**	15,7	1 817	1 571	22,5	24,5
Nedbank Business Banking	9,0	944	866	21,5	21,3
Nedbank Retail	22,0	2 552	2 091	12,1	10,8
Nedbank Wealth	9,5	716	654	29,6	27,7
Line clusters	16,3	7 457	6 410	17,9	17,1
Centre**		53	(226)
Total	21,4	7 510	6 184	14,8	13,6

    *  Restated for enhancements to capital allocation methodologies implemented in 2012.

  **  2011 restated for the transfer of the Rest of Africa division from Nedbank Corporate to the centre.

Strong earnings growth of 16,3% and the 25,4% ROE in Nedbank Capital were driven by good asset growth and pipeline conversion in investment banking, together with strong performance from global markets that resulted in materially increased structuring and trading income. The cluster's CLR improved, although remaining above its through-the-cycle range.

Nedbank Corporate performed well, producing good earnings growth of 15,7% and an ROE of 22,5%, underpinned by increased cash and electronic banking volumes, a strong delivery from the listed-property investment portfolio and favourable deposit growth. This performance was achieved within a well-managed impairment and expense environment across the businesses.

Nedbank Business Banking achieved headline earnings growth of 9,0% to R944m through maintaining quality client relationships and outstanding risk management practices, as reflected in the CLR of 0,34% (2011: 0,53%). Good underlying momentum was noted in asset payouts, deposits and new client gains, notwithstanding the protracted challenges facing the small- and medium-enterprise (SME) sector in SA, which resulted in EP for the year of R368m and a sustained high ROE of 21,5%.¹

Nedbank Retail's momentum is reflected in the 22,0% headline earnings growth and ROE improvement to 12,1%, narrowing the gap in relation to the cost of equity. This is testimony to the excellent progress strategically and financially in repositioning the cluster. The embedding of sound risk practices is reflected in the CLR of 2,01% (2011: 1,98%) remaining within the through-the-cycle range, while continuing to reduce defaulted loans and strengthen balance sheet impairments.¹ Investment in distribution and distinctive client value propositions is yielding strong client gains and related transactional, deposit and lending volumes.

Nedbank Wealth continued to record sound earnings growth of 9,5% and an excellent ROE of 29,6%, supported by solid performance in the asset management and insurance businesses.¹ These results were achieved despite pressure on impairments, a considerable deterioration in the short-term insurance claims environment in the second half of 2012 and the R31,5m (post-tax) rebranding costs relating to the launch of our new single high-net-worth offering, Nedbank Private Wealth.

The centre produced a small profit in 2012 from a loss of R226m in 2011, largely as a result of the R200m portfolio impairment provision recognised at group level in the prior year. The Rest of Africa division, now included in the centre, delivered a strong increase in headline earnings of 35,2%.¹

Detailed segmental information is available on the group's website at www.nedbankgroup.co.za under the 'Financial information' section.

Financial performance

Net interest income

Net interest income (NII) increased 9,1% to R19 680m (2011: R18 034m)¹ and average interest-earning banking assets grew 7,5% (2011 growth: 5,1%).

The net interest margin (NIM) increased to 3,53% from the restated 3,48%* level achieved in 2011. The margin expansion reflects the ongoing benefits of risk-adjusted pricing of new advances and portfolio-tilt-driven changes in the asset and deposit mix, partially offset by:

·      the negative endowment effect of lower average interest rates in 2012;

·      the cost of lengthening the group's funding profile; and

·      the cost of carrying higher levels of lower-yielding liquid assets as the group prepared for the implementation of Basel III liquidity coverage ratios.

    *  Restated from 3,46% to exclude clients' indebtedness for acceptances from interest-earning banking assets to align with the rest of the industry.

Impairments

Lower levels of impairments at R5 199m (2011: R5 331m) were reported. The CLR improved to 1,05% for the year (2011: 1,13%), remaining above the group's through-the-cycle range of 60 to 100 basis points.¹

CLR analysis (%)	Dec 2012¹	H2 2012	H1 2012	Dec 2011¹
Specific impairments	0,91	0,84	1,00	1,01
Portfolio impairments	0,14	0,16	0,11	0,12
Total CLR	1,05	1,00	1,11	1,13

Given the levels of overall consumer indebtedness, credit risk management remained a strong area of focus. The reduction in specific impairments to 0,91% (2011: 1,01%) was driven by a 17,0% decrease in defaulted advances to R19 273m (2011: R23 210m), while further strengthening the portfolio impairments charge to 0,14% (2011: 0,12%) mainly on the performing personal loans, Motor Finance Corporation (MFC) and homeloans books.

The increased level of portfolio impairments was mainly as a result of further model conservatism and book growth in personal loans as well as the lengthening of the emergence period in the MFC book. The group retained the R200m central portfolio provision set aside last year for unknown events that may have already occurred but which will only be evident in the future. The total impairment coverage ratio increased to 56,4% (2011: 49,5%), largely due to asset mix changes in the group's banking book.

Our collections processes, enhanced by additional collections staff and more effective collections processes, generated a 35,1% increase in bad-debt recoveries amounting to R866m (2011: R641m).

CLR (%)	Dec 2012¹	H2  2012	H1 2012	Dec 2011¹	Through-the-cycle target ranges
Nedbank Capital	1,06	0,72	1,41	1,23	0,10 - 0,55
Nedbank Corporate	0,24	0,18	0,30	0,29	0,20 - 0,35
Nedbank Business Banking	0,34	0,28	0,41	0,53	0,55 - 0,75
Nedbank Retail	2,01	2,02	2,00	1,98	1,50 - 2,20
Nedbank Wealth	0,61	0,76	0,46	0,25	0,20 - 0,40
Group	1,05	1,00	1,11	1,13	0,60 - 1,00

CLRs in the wholesale clusters improved in the second half of the year. Nedbank Retail's CLR was maintained within its through-the-cycle range and at levels similar to those in the first six months of the year, reflecting the effect of asset mix changes as unsecured lending attracts higher levels of impairments than secured lending. Nedbank Wealth's CLR deteriorated mainly due to the impact of a subdued property market.

Non-interest revenue

The continued investment in the Nedbank franchise contributed to strong NIR growth of 12,4% to R17 324m (2011: R15 412m), lifting the ratio of NIR to expenses to 84,4% (2011: 81,5%), close to the group's medium-to-long-term target of > 85,0%.¹ The group has delivered compound growth in NIR, excluding fair-value adjustments, of 11,0% over a four-year period.

Commission and fee income increased by R1,5bn, rising by 13,7% to R12 538m (2011: R11 031m) on the back of increased activity in the transactional banking, card, personal loans, investment banking and advisory activities of the group.¹

Insurance income grew strongly, increasing 24,9% to R1 695m (2011: R1 357m) from good insurance sales and underwriting performance, notwithstanding the poor weather conditions and fire-related claims in the second half of the year.¹

Favourable market conditions and good performance in the trading business, notably in fixed-income delivered excellent trading income growth of 22,0% to R2 644m (2011: R2 168m). Realisations and dividends received in Nedbank Corporate property and Nedbank Capital investment portfolios generated R211m (2011: R323m) in private equity income.¹ 

Negative fair-value adjustments of R265m (2011: R60m loss)¹ were recognised mainly as a result of basis risk on centrally hedged positions, accounting mismatches in hedged portfolios, including fixed-rate retail deposits and personal loans, and credit spread unwind on certain of Nedbank's Tier 2 debt.

Following the scheduled termination of the contract with Swisscard that previously housed the Tando card processing operations, NIR was negatively impacted as no further revenue was generated in 2012 (2011: R214m).

Expenses

Nedbank's strong cost management culture remains a key differentiator and contributed to a lower level of expense growth for 2012 in line with guidance.

Expenses increased 8,5% to R20 528m (2011: R18 919m)¹, consisting of 4,1% for business-as-usual activities, 2,1% for investing in growth initiatives and 2,3% for variable compensation.

Growth in expenses was primarily from:

·      Staff-related expenses increasing 11,2% and comprising:

-      remuneration and other staff cost growth of 8,5%, following inflation-related annual increases averaging 6,5% and 0,9% headcount growth;

-      short-term incentive costs increasing 18,7% driven by 21,4% headline earnings and 63,5% EP growth; and

-      long-term incentive costs increasing by 71,4% as 2011 contained a higher reversal of costs when corporate performance targets were not met and related incentive awards lapsed.

·      Volume-driven costs, such as fees and computer processing costs, continuing to grow in support of revenue-generating business activities.

·      Investing for growth initiatives, including footprint rollout, headcount growth in frontline and collections staff, new innovative offerings and enhancements in product and system functionality.

The efficiency ratio improved to 55,5% (2011: 56,6%),¹ absorbing the negative impact of the interest rate cut in July on endowment and consequently NII growth.

Since 2007 Nedbank Group's five-year compound NIR growth of 10,6% exceeded the related compound expense growth of 8,8%.

Taxation

The tax charge increased 30,9% to R2 871m (2011: R2 194m), with the effective tax rate increasing to 26,8% (2011: 25,2%)¹. The increase resulted mainly from lower levels of dividend income received and an increase in capital gains tax (CGT) rate from 14,0% to 18,65%.

Statement of financial position

Capital

The group's capital ratios strengthened during the year, positioning the organisation favourably for the adoption of Basel III that was successfully implemented on 1 January 2013. All capital adequacy ratios remained well above the Basel II.5 minimum regulatory capital requirements and the group's new Basel III internal target ranges. The group's strong capital position enabled the redemption of a further R1,8bn Tier 2 subordinated debt during 2012 in line with our capital management planning and positioning for Basel III.

In August 2012 the group obtained approval from the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) to manage the MFC book on its Advanced Internal Ratings-based Credit Approach. The resultant reduction in risk-weighted assets, along with good earnings growth, contributed to further strengthening of the Basel II.5 common equity Tier 1 ratio to 11,4%.

The group reset its internal targets in line with the new SA Basel III regulations based on the increased minimum regulatory requirements for common equity Tier 1 in 2019, and Tier 1 and total ratios in 2015.

The new internal targets include a conservative management buffer and allowance for potential Pillar 2B bank-specific add-ons while taking cognisance of anticipated Basel III capital levels in other jurisdictions, the view of rating agencies and Nedbank's Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process. The Basel III regulatory minimums include minimum regulatory requirements for common equity Tier 1 in 2019, Tier 1 and total ratios in 2015 as well as a conservative Pillar 2B add-on, but exclude any countercyclical capital buffer requirements.

	Dec 2012 (Pro forma Basel III)	Dec 2012 (Basel II.5)	Dec 2011 (Basel II.5)	Internal target range (Basel III)	Regulatory minimum (Basel III)
Common equity Tier 1 ratio	11,6%	11,4%	10,5%	10,5% - 12,5%	9,00%
Tier 1 ratio	13,1%	12,9%	12,0%	11,5% - 13,0%	11,25%
Total capital ratio	15,1%	14,9%	14,6%	14,0% - 15,0%	13,50%

(Ratios calculated include unappropriated profits.)

The group's ratios are anticipated to continue improving in 2013, driven by projected earnings growth and the portfolio tilt strategy.

Further detail on capital and risk management will be available in the risk and balance sheet management review section of the group's analyst booklet and the Pillar 3 Report to be published at the end of March 2013 on the website at www.nedbankgroup.co.za.

Capital allocation to the businesses

As reported during our 2012 interim results, economic capital allocated to the business clusters was revised from 10,0% to 11,0% to align the businesses with the higher operating capital levels held by the group under Basel III and the allocation of capital impaired against certain intangible assets, previously held at the centre. The upward revision of capital allocated to the clusters resulted in a dilution of the clusters' ROE performance, given higher capital levels. Headline earnings and ROE numbers for the business clusters for 2011 were restated on a like-for-like basis. These enhancements had no impact on the group's overall headline earnings, capital levels and ROE.

Funding and liquidity

Nedbank Group remains well funded with a strong liquidity position and a lengthened funding profile, with the fourth-quarter average long-term funding ratio increasing further to 26,0% (2011:25,0%).

In addition to launching a number of competitive and innovative savings and investment products for the retail market, the following funding strategies were implemented during the year:

·      Issuing of R3,2bn of senior unsecured debt with a tenure ranging from three to seven years.

·      Issuing of R1,8bn through the Greenhouse securitisation programme with tenure of up to five years;

·      Maintaining a significant surplus liquidity buffer in excess of R24,0bn.

·      Improving the group's sources of quick liquidity to R107,5bn (2011: R103,6bn).

In May the SARB announced that banks would be able to include cash reserves in the calculation of the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR), and the SARB would make available a committed liquidity facility (CLF) of up to 40% of the LCR requirements. Taking into account Nedbank's cash reserves, the liquid assets held for regulatory purposes, the surplus liquidity buffer and the notional ability to access the CLF, Nedbank would be compliant with the Basel III LCR on a pro forma basis at 31 December 2012.

This was further supported by amendments to the LCR by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) on 6 January 2013, which are likely to be adopted by the SA regulator. These amendments are positive in that they:

·      allow for a longer lead time to implement the LCR, starting from 60% (previously 100%) in January 2015 and increasing to 100% in January 2019;

·      result in a broader definition of qualifying high-quality liquid assets (HQLA); and

·      reduce HQLA requirements given refinements to various cash outflow assumptions in the LCR formula.

The revisions to the LCR will be beneficial for banks, with associated cost savings and more time to implement the LCR. 

Having finalised the LCR, the BCBS is now expected to focus on the net stable funding ratio (NSFR). The impact of NSFR compliance by SA and most banking industries worldwide would be punitive if implemented as currently set out in the draft requirements, significantly impacting both global and domestic economic growth and job creation. Structural constraints within SA financial markets will add further challenges to domestic compliance with the NSFR. The SARB and National Treasury, in conjunction with the financial services industry, are engaging proactively during the observation period prior to implementation in order to address any unintended consequences for SA. It is anticipated, based on extensive global discussion and the experiences gained from the LCR implementation process, that a fundamental revision and a pragmatic approach will be applied to the NSFR well in advance of its proposed implementation in 2018.

Loans and advances

Loans and advances grew 5,6% to R527bn (2011: R499bn), with strong growth in trading advances of 49,2%. Excluding trading advances, banking advances growth of 3,8% was largely underpinned by advances growth in Nedbank Capital and Nedbank Retail.¹

Loans and advances by cluster at year-end are as follows¹:

Rm¹	Dec 2012¹	Dec 2011¹	% change
Nedbank Capital	82 494	68 510	20,4
Banking activity	52 732	48 558	8,6
Trading activity	29 762	19 952	49,2
Nedbank Corporate	162 730	157 271	3,5
Nedbank Business Banking	60 115	58 856	2,1
Nedbank Retail	190 647	183 748	3,7
Nedbank Wealth	19 864	19 624	1,2
Other	11 316	11 014	2,7
	527 166	499 023	5,6

Nedbank Capital's banking advances growth was driven by the successful conversion of its robust investment banking pipeline and increased trading advances as the interbank funding desk experienced significantly better market conditions than in the year before. Nedbank Corporate recorded favourable growth in term loans and commercial mortgages of 8,4% and 5,3% respectively, while reducing the levels of lower-yielding overnight loans. Continuing pressure in the SME environment saw Nedbank Business Banking's clients defer expansion plans, deleverage further and transact less, which - together with judicious risk management - kept advances growth to 2,1%. Retail's advances growth came from strong gains in cards of 16,1% (2011: 9,2%) and in MFC of 10,3% (2011: 9,7%), while tightening criteria resulted in personal loans growing at a reduced rate of 28,7% (2011: 36,5%). Low consumer demand for homeloans in conjunction with selective advances growth and the rolloff of the backbook led to a 5,5% reduction in the retail homeloans book, with origination through our own client relationships and channels being emphasised.

Deposits

Deposits grew by a healthy 5,1% to R551bn (2011: R524bn), maintaining a strong loan-to-deposit ratio of 95,7% (2011: 95,2%).¹

The lengthening of the funding profile was primarily due to ongoing growth in call and term deposits of 9,9% and fixed deposits of 8,2% as a result of a strong uptake in the Retail Savings Bond of R3,3bn and wholesale deposit offerings such as Corporate Saver. Cash management deposits grew 7,5%, boosted by net primary banking client gains, whereas the more volatile negotiable certificate of deposit (NCD) category decreased 21,4%.

Current and savings accounts grew well, increasing 7,9% and 9,3% respectively, underpinned by Nedbank's strong franchise. Altogether, these improvements in the funding profile ensured that Nedbank continued to hold a higher proportion of household deposits relative to the size of our retail bank.

However, strong competition for deposits in 2012 resulted in some loss of overall market share in household deposits. The launch of innovative new deposit products such as Nedbank Money Trader, increasing functionality on our world-class internet and mobile banking applications, and various other initiatives will contribute to growing the transactional client base and positioning Nedbank strongly for sustainable growth in savings and investment deposits.

Group strategic focus

The Nedbank Group strategy is outward-looking, with a focus on growing the franchiseand delivering on its key strategic initiatives of repositioning Nedbank Retail, growing NIR, implementing the portfolio tilt strategy and expanding into the rest of Africa.

·      Nedbank Retail is allocated 39,1% of the group's capital and its strategic repositioning will contribute significantly to ongoing improvements in the group's performance. While endeavouring to leverage early turnaround gains to achieve an ROE at or above the cost of equity (COE) of 13% by the end of 2013, a year ahead of the original 2014 target, the deteriorating credit health of consumers noted in the last quarter of 2012 could make this challenging to deliver. Continued excellent progress was made in positioning Nedbank Retail as a more client-centred and integrated business while maintaining growth momentum in the underlying businesses, growing the number and quality of clients, embedding effective risk management practices and strengthening balance sheet impairments.

·      The group's NIR-to-expenses ratio target of > 85% is a key focus area as we continue to deliver good-quality annuity income through commission and fee growth from primary-client gains, volume growth, new innovative products and cross-sell. In our technology division we enabled greater efficiencies, including the rationalisation of 20 banking systems and the reduction of our servers from 3 500 to 1 139 since 2009. 

·      The portfolio tilt strategy continued to gain traction, supporting EP growth from R57m in 2009 to R1 511m in 2012. Excellent growth in 2012 in commission and fee income of 13,7%, insurance income of 24,9%, assets under management of 34,1% and deposits of 5,1%, while emphasising profitable secured lending, demonstrates the benefit of focusing on these strategically important EP-rich, lower-capital and liquidity-consuming activities.

·      In the short to medium term the group's primary focus on SA and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) area continues to benefit the group as this region has the largest EP pool for financial services in sub-Saharan Africa. The rights to acquire a shareholding of up to 20% in ETI in less than two years creates a path to provide a significant benefit to Nedbank's clients in the rest of Africa and the opportunity for shareholders to gain access to the higher economic growth in the rest of Africa in a prudent yet substantive manner.

Economic outlook

Despite a more promising start to many financial markets in 2013, there appears to be downside risk in most developed and many emerging-market economies, and forward visibility is limited.

SA's GDP is forecast to grow by 2,6% in 2013. Interest rates are likely to remain lower for longer and are expected to be unchanged through most of 2013. 

Consumer indebtedness is anticipated to ease gradually, but remains high compared with historical levels, particularly with 39-year-low interest rates. This, combined with the lack of job security, is expected to limit the growth in demand for housing and other secured loans. Growth rates in unsecured lending are expected to continue to moderate.

Uncertainty is likely to continue to affect the level of business confidence and contain capital expenditure and growth in wholesale assets in the private sector. Government and public corporations are forecast to escalate their infrastructure spending, which should contribute to improved wholesale advances growth.   

Prospects

In the context of the anticipated economic environment and continued low interest rates in SA, the group's guidance for 2013 is as follows:

·      Advances to grow at mid to upper single digits.

·      NIM to remain at levels similar to those in 2012.

·      The CLR to continue improving into the upper end of the group's through-the-cycle target range.

·      NIR (excluding fair-value adjustments) to grow at low double digits, and allow the group to meet the medium-to-long-term NIR-to-expenses target of > 85%.

·      Expenses to increase by mid to upper single digits.

The group's medium-to-long-term targets remain unchanged, with the exception of revised targets relating to capital adequacy and dividend cover following finalisation of the SARB's revised guidelines on Basel III capital levels and the new dividend tax regime in SA announced during the year.

Metric	2012 performance	Medium-to-long-term targets		2013 outlook
ROE (excluding goodwill)	16,4%	5% above cost of ordinary shareholders' equity	Improving, remaining below target.
Growth in diluted headline earnings per share	19,0%	≥ Consumer price index + GDP growth + 5%	Meet target.
CLR	1,05%	Between 0,6% and 1,0% of average banking advances	Improving into upper end of target.
NIR-to-expenses ratio	84,4%	> 85%	Improving to meet the target.
Efficiency ratio	55,5%	< 50,0%	Improving, remaining above target.
Common equity Tier 1 capital adequacy ratio (Basel III)	11,6%	10,5% to 12,5%	Strengthening, remaining around mid-point of new target.
Economic capital	Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP): A debt rating (including 10% capital buffer)
Dividend cover	2,19 times	1,75 to 2,25 times	1,75 to 2,25 times

Shareholders are advised that these forecasts have not been reviewed or reported on by the group's auditors.

Board and executive changes

The group previously advised that Alan Knott-Craig resigned as independent non-executive director with effect from 24 February 2012.

Professor Brian de Lacy Figaji retired as independent non-executive director of Nedbank Group and Nedbank Limited with effect from 4 May 2012.

Ian David Gladman was appointed as non-executive director of Nedbank Group and Nedbank Limited with effect from 7 June 2012.

Wendy Lucas-Bull resigned as independent non-executive director of Nedbank Group and Nedbank Limited with effect from 5 November 2012.

Gawie Nienaber retired as Group Company Secretary with effect from 30 June 2012 after reaching the mandatory retirement age in terms of Nedbank Group's normal retirement policy. Thabani Jali was appointed as Group Company Secretary and Jackie Katzin was appointed as Deputy Group Company Secretary of Nedbank Group and Nedbank Limited with effect from 1 July 2012.

Appreciation

The performance of the past year highlights the quality of management and leadership and the depth of talent within the group. We are continually striving to exceed the expectations of our stakeholders, and wish to thank all of you for your guidance, support and commitment in ensuring that the group continues to deliver across the social, economic, environmental and cultural pillars of sustainability. Your contribution is highly valued as we continue building Africa's most admired bank.

Accounting policies¹

Nedbank Group Limited is a company domiciled in SA. The summarised consolidated annual financial results of the group at and for the year ended 31 December 2012 comprise the company and its subsidiaries (the 'group') and the group's interests in associates and jointly controlled entities.

Nedbank Group's principal accounting policies have been prepared in terms of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) of the International Accounting Standards Board and have been applied consistently over the current and prior financial years, except for clients' indebtedness for acceptances and liabilities for acceptances that have been reclassified to loans and advances, and amounts owed to depositors respectively in order to achieve improved comparability with the majority of the group's SA banking peers. These items were previously separately disclosed in the group's statement of financial position. Nedbank Group's summarised consolidated annual financial results have been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of IFRS, interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee, and the presentation and disclosure requirements with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34: Interim Financial Reporting and the Financial Reporting Guide as issued by the Accounting Practices Board, the JSE Listing Requirements and the requirements of the Companies Act of South Africa.

In the preparation of these consolidated annual financial results, the group has applied key assumptions concerning the future and other inherent uncertainties in recording various assets and liabilities. The assumptions applied in the financial results for the year ended 31 December 2012 were consistent with those applied during the 2011 financial year. These assumptions are subject to ongoing review and possible amendments. The financial results have been prepared under the supervision of Raisibe Morathi, the group's Chief Financial Officer.

Events after the reporting period¹

There are no material events after the reporting period to report on.

Audited results - auditors' report

KPMG Inc and Deloitte & Touche, Nedbank Group's independent auditors, have audited the consolidated annual financial results of Nedbank Group Limited from which the summarised consolidated financial results have been derived, and have expressed an unmodified audit opinion on the consolidated annual financial statements. The summarised consolidated annual financial results comprise the consolidated statement of financial position at 31 December 2012, consolidated statement of comprehensive income, condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity and condensed consolidated statement of cashflows for the years then ended and selected explanatory notes. The related notes are marked with ¹. The audit report is available for inspection at Nedbank Group's registered office.

Forward-looking statements

This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition and results of operations of Nedbank Group and its group companies that, by their nature, involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, global, national and regional economic conditions; levels of securities markets; interest rates; credit or other risks of lending and investment activities; as well as competitive and regulatory factors. By consequence, all forward-looking statements have not been reviewed or reported on by the group's auditors.

Final dividend declaration

Notice is hereby given that a gross final dividend of 412 cents per ordinary share has been declared, payable to shareholders for the year ended 31 December 2012. The dividend has been declared out of income reserves.

The dividend will be subject to a dividend withholding tax rate of 15% (applicable in South Africa) or 61,8 cents per ordinary share, resulting in a net dividend of 350,2 cents per ordinary share, unless the shareholder is exempt from paying dividend tax or is entitled to a reduced rate in terms of an applicable double-tax agreement. No Secondary Tax on Companies (STC) credits were available to be utilised as part of this declaration. Nedbank Group Limited's tax reference number is 9375/082/71/7 and the number of ordinary shares in issue at the date of declaration is 507 509 491.

In accordance with the provisions of Strate, the electronic settlement and custody system used by JSE Limited, the relevant dates for the dividend are as follows:

Event	Date
Last day to trade (cum dividend)	Wednesday, 27 March 2013
Shares commence trading (ex dividend)	Thursday, 28 March 2013
Record date (date shareholders recorded in books)	Friday, 5 April 2013
Payment date	Monday, 8 April 2013

Share certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between Thursday, 28 March 2013 and Friday, 5 April 2013, both days inclusive.

On Monday, 8 April 2013, the dividend will be electronically transferred to the bank accounts of all certificated shareholders where this facility is available. Where electronic funds transfer is either not available or not elected by the shareholder, cheques dated Monday, 8 April 2013, will be posted on that date.

Holders of dematerialised shares will have their accounts credited at their participant or broker on Monday, 8 April 2013.

The above dates and times are subject to change. Any changes will be published on the Securities Exchange News Service (SENS) and in the press.

For and on behalf of the board

Dr Reuel J Khoza                                             Michael WT Brown

Chairman                                                         Chief Executive

25 February 2013

Registered office

Nedbank Group Limited, Nedbank Sandton, 135 Rivonia Road, Sandown, Sandton, 2196.

PO Box 1144, Johannesburg, 2000.

Transfer secretaries in SA

Computershare Investor Services (Pty) Limited, 70 Marshall Street, Johannesburg, 2001, SA.

PO Box 61051, Marshalltown, 2107, SA.

Transfer secretaries in Namibia

Transfer Secretaries (Pty) Limited, Shop 8, Kaiserkrone Centre, Post Street Mall, Windhoek, Namibia.

PO Box 2401, Windhoek, Namibia.

Directors

Dr RJ Khoza (Chairman), MWT Brown* (Chief Executive), TA Boardman, TCP Chikane, GW Dempster* (Chief Operating Officer), MA Enus-Brey, ID Gladman (British), DI Hope (New Zealand), PM Makwana, NP Mnxasana, RK Morathi* (Chief Financial Officer), JK Netshitenzhe, JVF Roberts (British), GT Serobe, MI Wyman** (British).

* Executive ** Senior independent non-executive director

Company Secretary:                   TSB Jali

Reg No:                                       1966/010630/06

JSE share code:                          NED             

NSX share code:                         NBK

ISIN:                                            ZAE000004875

Sponsors in SA:                          Merrill Lynch South Africa (Pty) Limited

                                                   Nedbank Capital

Sponsor in Namibia:                   Old Mutual Investment Services (Namibia) (Pty) Limited

This announcement is available on the group's website at www.nedbankgroup.co.za, together with the following additional information:

·      Detailed financial information in HTML and PDF formats.

·      Financial results presentation to analysts.

·      Link to a webcast of the presentation to analysts.

For further information kindly contact Nedbank Group Investor Relations at [e-mail].

 

Financial highlights
at
		Audited	Audited
		31 December	31 December
		2012	2011
Statistics
Number of shares listed	m	507.5	507.4
Number of shares in issue, excluding shares held by group entities	m	457.3	455.2
Weighted average number of shares	m	456.3	452.9
Diluted weighted average number of shares	m	470.7	461.5
Preprovisioning operating profit	Rm	15,580	13,709
Economic profit *	Rm	1,511	924
Headline earnings per share	cents	1,646	1,365
Diluted headline earnings per share	cents	1,595	1,340
Ordinary dividends declared per share	cents	752	605
- Interim	cents	340	265
- Final	cents	412	340
Ordinary dividends paid per share	cents	680	533
Dividend cover	times	2.19	2.26
Net asset value per share	cents	11,798	10,753
Tangible net asset value per share	cents	10,065	9,044
Closing share price	cents	18,800	14,500
Price/earnings ratio	historical	11.4	10.6
Market capitalisation	Rbn	95.4	73.6
Number of employees *		28,748	28,494
Key ratios (%)
Return on ordinary shareholders' equity (ROE)		14.8	13.6
ROE, excluding goodwill		16.4	15.3
Return on total assets (ROA)		1.13	0.99
Net interest income to average interest-earning banking assets		3.53	3.48
Credit loss ratio - banking advances		1.05	1.13
Non-interest revenue to total operating expenses		84.4	81.5
Non-interest revenue to total income		46.8	46.1
Efficiency ratio		55.5	56.6
Efficiency ratio (excluding BEE transaction expenses)		55.3	56.0
Effective taxation rate		26.8	25.2
Group capital adequacy ratios (including unappropriated profits): **
Common equity Tier I *		11.4	11.0
Tier 1 *		12.9	12.6
Total *		14.9	15.3
Statement of financial position statistics (Rm)
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent		53,950	48,946
Total equity		57,730	52,685
Amounts owed to depositors		550,878	524,130
Loans and advances		527,166	499,023
- Gross		538,037	510,520
- Impairment of loans and advances		(10,871)	(11,497)
Total assets administrated by the group		833,474	760,358
Total assets		682,979	648,127
Assets under management		150,495	112,231
Life assurance embedded value		2,030	1,522
Life assurance value of new business		563	409
*  These amounts and ratios have not been audited by the group's independent auditors.
** 2012 ratios are disclosed based on Basel II.5 (2011: Basel II).

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended
		Audited	Audited
		31 December	31 December
Rm		2012	2011
Interest and similar income		44,730	42,880
Interest expense and similar charges		25,050	24,846
Net interest income		19,680	18,034
Impairments charge on loans and advances		5,199	5,331
Income from lending activities		14,481	12,703
Non-interest revenue		17,324	15,412
Operating income		31,805	28,115
Total operating expenses		20,528	18,919
- Operating expenses		20,450	18,725
- BEE transaction expenses		78	194
Indirect taxation		561	505
Profit from operations before non-trading and capital items		10,716	8,691
Non-trading and capital items		(18)	(14)
- Net profit on sale of subsidiaries, investments, and property and equipment		33	40
- Net impairment of investments, property and equipment, and capitalised development costs		(51)	(54)
Fair-value adjustments of investment properties		(12)
Profit from operations		10,686	8,677
Share of profits of associates and joint ventures		1	*
Profit before direct taxation		10,687	8,677
Total direct taxation		2,875	2,174
- Direct taxation		2,871	2,194
- Taxation on non-trading and capital items		4	(20)
- Taxation on revaluation of investment properties		*
Profit for the year		7,812	6,503
Other comprehensive income net of taxation		247	697
- Exchange differences on translating foreign operations		162	469
- Fair-value adjustments on available-for-sale assets		43	(21)
- (Losses)/Gains on property revaluations		42	249
Total comprehensive income for the year		8,059	7,200
Profit attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent		7,476	6,190
Non-controlling interest - ordinary shareholders		43	32
Non-controlling interest - preference shareholders		293	281
Profit for the year		7,812	6,503
Total comprehensive income attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent		7,719	6,879
Non-controlling interest - ordinary shareholders		47	40
Non-controlling interest - preference shareholders		293	281
Total comprehensive income for the year		8,059	7,200
Basic earnings per share	cents	1,638	1,367
Diluted earnings per share	cents	1,588	1,341
* Represents amounts less than R1m.

 

Headline earnings reconciliation
for the year ended
		Audited		Audited
		31 December		31 December
		2012		2011
Rm	Gross	Net of taxation	Gross	Net of taxation
Profit attributable to equity holders of the parent		7,476		6,190
Less: Non-headline earnings items	(30)	(34)	(14)	6
- Net profit on sale of subsidiaries, investments, and property and equipment	33	29	40	60
- Net impairment of investments, property and equipment, and capitalised development costs	(51)	(51)	(54)	(54)
- Fair-value adjustments of investment properties	(12)	(12)
Headline earnings		7,510		6,184

 

Consolidated statement of financial position
at	Audited	Audited
	31 December	31 December
Rm	2012	2011
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	14,445	13,457
Other short-term securities	43,457	35,986
Derivative financial instruments	13,812	12,840
Government and other securities	26,753	30,176
Loans and advances	527,166	499,023
Other assets	9,488	12,051
Current taxation receivable	246	698
Investment securities	16,577	14,281
Non-current assets held for sale	508	8
Investments in associate companies and joint ventures	668	568
Deferred taxation assets	399	266
Investment property	205	614
Property and equipment	6,398	6,312
Long-term employee benefit assets	2,258	2,118
Mandatory reserve deposits with central banks	12,677	11,952
Intangible assets	7,922	7,777
Total assets	682,979	648,127
Equity and liabilities
Ordinary share capital	457	455
Ordinary share premium	16,033	15,934
Reserves	37,460	32,557
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent	53,950	48,946
Non-controlling interest attributable to
- ordinary shareholders	219	178
- preference shareholders	3,561	3,561
Total equity	57,730	52,685
Derivative financial instruments	13,454	13,853
Amounts owed to depositors	550,878	524,130
Provisions and other liabilities	15,526	14,751
Current taxation liabilities	193	200
Other liabilities held for sale	36
Deferred taxation liabilities	781	1,345
Long-term employee benefit liabilities	1,591	1,479
Investment contract liabilities	9,513	8,237
Insurance contract liabilities	2,979	2,005
Long-term debt instruments	30,298	29,442
Total liabilities	625,249	595,442
Total equity and liabilities	682,979	648,127

 

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity
		Non-controlling	Non-controlling
	Total equity	interest	interest
	attributable to	attributable to	attributable to
	equity holders	ordinary	preference
Rm	of the parent	shareholders	shareholders	Total equity
Balance at 31 December 2010	44,101	153	3,560	47,814
Dividend to shareholders	(2,608)	(11)		(2,619)
Dividend in respect of BEE transaction	(310)			(310)
Preference share dividend			(281)	(281)
Issues of shares net of expenses	323			323
Shares acquired/cancelled by group entities and BEE trusts	95			95
Total comprehensive income for the year	6,879	40	281	7,200
Share-based payment reserve movement	446			446
Dilution of shareholding in subsidiary	11	(11)		-
Acquisition of subsidiary		7	1	8
Other movements	9			9
Balance at 31 December 2011	48,946	178	3,561	52,685
Dividend to shareholders	(3,248)	(8)		(3,256)
Preference share dividend			(293)	(293)
Issues of shares net of expenses	14			14
Shares acquired/cancelled by group entities and BEE trusts	119			119
Total comprehensive income for the year	7,719	47	293	8,059
Share-based payment reserve movement	396			396
Regulatory risk reserve provision	2			2
Acquisition of subsidiary		2		2
Other movements	2			2
Balance at 31 December 2012	53,950	219	3,561	57,730

Condensed consolidated statement of cashflows
for the year ended
	Audited	Audited
	31 December	31 December
Rm	2012	2011
Cash generated by operations	18,804	16,552
Change in funds for operating activities	(5,947)	(4,080)
Net cash from operating activities before taxation	12,857	12,472
Taxation paid	(3,914)	(3,609)
Cashflows from operating activities	8,943	8,863
Cashflows utilised by investing activities	(4,696)	(3,702)
Cashflows (utilised by)/from financing activities	(2,552)	557
Effects of exchange rate changes on opening cash and cash equivalents (excluding foreign borrowings)	18	(54)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,713	5,664
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year*	25,409	19,745
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year*	27,122	25,409
* including mandatory reserve deposits with central banks.

 

Condensed segmental reporting
for the year ended		Audited	Audited	Audited	Audited	Audited	Audited
		31 December	31 December	31 December	31 December	31 December	31 December
		2012	2011	2012	2011	2012	2011
Rm		Total assets		Operating income		Headline earnings
Nedbank Capital		142,286	149,789	4,044	3,091	1,428	1,228
Nedbank Corporate		175,073	167,074	4,410	3,865	1,817	1,571
Total Nedbank Retail and Nedbank Business Banking		290,198	279,323	18,989	17,102	3,496	2,957
Nedbank Retail		198,072	190,398	14,693	13,107	2,552	2,091
Nedbank Business Banking		92,126	88,925	4,296	3,995	944	866
Nedbank Wealth		42,270	37,759	2,993	2,690	716	654
Shared Services		6,594	7,315	20	259	36	3
Central Management, including Rest of Africa		26,558	6,867	1,349	1,108	17	(229)
Total		682,979	648,127	31,805	28,115	7,510	6,184
The segmental results for the year ended 31 December 2011 has been restated for the following adjustments: (a) enhancements to the allocation of economic capital; (b) the reallocation of negotiable certificates of deposit from Nedbank Capital to the centre; and (c) transferring the Rest of Africa Cluster from Nedbank Corporate to Central Management. These restatements have  no effect on the group results and ratios, and only affect the segment results and related ratios.

 

Condensed geographical segmental reporting
for the year ended	Audited	Audited	Audited	Audited
	31 December	31 December	31 December	31 December
	2012	2011	2012	2011
Rm	Operating income		Headline earnings
SA	29,748	26,228	6,906	5,695
- Business operations	29,748	26,228	7,267	6,162
- BEE transaction expenses			(68)	(186)
- Profit attributable to non-controlling interest - preference shareholders			(293)	(281)
Rest of Africa	1,259	1,101	290	246
Rest of world - business operations	798	786	314	243
Total	31,805	28,115	7,510	6,184

Enquiries

External communications
Patrick Bowes	UK	[phone]
Investor relations
Kelly de Kock	SA	[phone]
Media
William Baldwin-Charles		[phone] [phone]

Notes to Editors

Old Mutual

Old Mutual is an international long-term savings, protection and investment Group.  Originating in South Africa in 1845, the Group provides life assurance, asset management, banking and general insurance to more than 12 million customers in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe.  Old Mutual has been listed on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges, among others, since 1999.

In the year ended 31 December 2011, the Group reported adjusted operating profit before tax of £1.5 billion (on an IFRS basis) and had £267 billion of funds under management from core operations.

For further information on Old Mutual plc, please visit the corporate website at www.oldmutual.com 

 

END

 

 

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